Global sukuk issuance hits $91.9bn in H1: S&P Global 

Global sukuk issuance hits $91.9bn in H1: S&P Global 
Improved visibility on the medium-term trajectory of interest rates has boosted foreign currency-denominated sukuk issuance, according to the report.
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Updated 16 July 2024
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Global sukuk issuance hits $91.9bn in H1: S&P Global 

Global sukuk issuance hits $91.9bn in H1: S&P Global 

RIYADH: Global sukuk issuances reached $91.9 billion in the first half of 2024, marking a marginal year-on-year increase of 0.87 percent, driven by issuers from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 

According to the latest report from S&P Global, foreign currency issuances reached $32.7 billion in the first six months of 2024, marking a 23.8 percent surge compared to the same period the previous year.  

The credit rating agency highlighted that improved visibility on the medium-term trajectory of interest rates has boosted foreign currency-denominated sukuk issuance. 

A sukuk is an Islamic financial certificate that represents ownership of an asset and complies with Shariah law, distinguishing it from conventional bonds. 

Saudi Arabia has strategically expanded its sukuk issuance to diversify financing sources and promote Islamic finance within its economy, supporting infrastructure and economic development while attracting global investors seeking Shariah-compliant opportunities. 

“High financing needs in core Islamic finance countries, stable rates, and improved clarity on the future path of rate cuts explain the continued increase in foreign currency-denominated issuances,” stated S&P Global. 

Its findings follow a recent report by Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority, indicating significant growth in the Kingdom’s sukuk and debt capital market since 2019, exceeding SR30 billion, and achieving an annual growth rate of 7.9 percent. 

Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s National Debt Management Center reported completing the issuance of a riyal-denominated Islamic bond for June totaling SR4.4 billion. The Kingdom had issued sukuk amounting to SR3.23 billion in May, SR7.39 billion in April, and SR4.4 billion in March. 

Global forecast  

Meanwhile, S&P Global has maintained its global sukuk issuance forecast at around $160 billion to $170 billion, buoyed by strong market performance in the first half of 2024. 

The US-based firm emphasized that the Islamic bond market’s steady growth will be propelled by economic diversification initiatives in countries such as Saudi Arabia, as well as the robust expansion of the non-oil sectors in the UAE. 

The report also underscored contributions to the sukuk market’s growth from countries like Oman, Malaysia, and Kuwait. 

It added that geopolitical risks are not expected to adversely impact the issuances of these Shariah-compliant debt products globally. 

“Geopolitical risk has not yet dragged on issuance but could pose some downside risk, though, under our base-case scenario, we do not expect significant disruption,” said the agency.  

S&P noted that the adoption of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions’ Sharia Standard 62 might lower issuance volumes in the medium term if it significantly changes the nature and risk profile of sukuk instruments. 

In late 2023, the AAOIFI released its exposure draft of Sharia Standard 62 on sukuk, delaying the industry feedback deadline twice, with the final extension set to July 31, 2024, from March 31, 2024. 

According to the credit rating agency, the proposed draft could potentially alter the nature of the sukuk market and lead to increased fragmentation.  

The guidelines cover Shariah requirements for issuances, asset backing, and ownership transfer. They also address investment structures, financing mechanisms, and trading and settlement procedures. 

“A key requirement of the standard is that the ownership and risks related to the underlying assets are to be transferred to sukuk holders. As such, the market will shift from structures where the contractual obligations of sukuk sponsors underpin the repayment to structures where the underlying assets have a more prominent role,” said S&P Global.  

The report further noted that the adoption of these proposed standards could make these Islamic bonds more expensive than conventional issuances.  

It added: “However, it is difficult to anticipate the appetite for such instruments from both investors and issuers, as well as the legality of moving assets off their balance sheets, given the current market structure. This could either lead to further market fragmentation or worse, issuance could be put on hold until sukuk structures figure out a middle ground.”  

The report, however, added that the adoption of the AAOIFI’s Standard 62 guidelines is unlikely to disrupt existing sukuk, since any changes in contractual obligations are subject to investors’ consent.  

Local issuances  

Despite the growth of foreign issuances, local currency-denominated issuances witnessed a decline of 8.8 percent in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2023. 

S&P Global noted that this downturn was driven by the drop in local currency issuances in countries like Turkiye, the UAE, and Pakistan.  

“The largest drop of local currency issuances was in Turkiye, where monetary tightening combined with better fiscal policy coordination continues to help rebalance the economy,” said the report.  

It added: “In the UAE, the decline can be explained by lower local-currency denominated issuance by the Federal Government and other authorities. For Pakistan, the issue might be related to a lack of data on issuances in the first half of 2024.”  

On a positive note, the report underscored the growth of Saudi Arabia’s local currency issuance.  

“We have observed that local currency issuance in Saudi Arabia has resumed its growing trend. The government has tapped the market with jumbo issuances and has also started to issue retail sukuk,” added S&P Global.  

On the other hand, financing needs in core Islamic finance countries, stable rates, and improved clarity on the future path of rate cuts drove the continued increase in foreign currency-denominated issuances.  

“We have seen a high issuance volume in Saudi where the government and banks continue to tap into the market to finance various projects related to the economic transformation plan. We now expect the Saudi banking system to shift to a moderate net external debt position in the next few months,” said the report.  

S&P Global added that countries like the UAE, Malaysia, Kuwait and Qatar also witnessed a rise in foreign currency-denominated issuances during the first half of this year.  

Sustainable sukuk  

According to the analysis, the total volume of sustainable sukuk issuance reached $5.2 billion during the first half of 2024, down from $5.7 billion during the same period last year.  

The credit rating agency projected that the volume of these green bonds is expected to hover around $10 billion to $12 billion, barring any significant acceleration in the implementation of net-zero policies by key Islamic finance countries or regulatory actions. 

Sustainable sukuk is a Shariah-compliant financial tool wherein issuers utilize the proceeds solely to finance investments in renewable energy or other environmental assets. 

The report also highlighted that 80 percent of sustainability issuance in the first six months of 2024 came from banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council region as they started pursuing their climate transition journey.  

In May, another analysis by Fitch Ratings projected that the global sukuk market linked to environmental, social, and governance principles is expected to exceed $50 billion in the next two years.  

The credit rating agency noted that the projected growth of the market is driven by new ESG mandates, regulatory frameworks, and government-led sustainability initiatives. 

Fitch also revealed that the GCC debt capital market has reached $940 billion in outstanding sukuk and is steadily approaching the $1 trillion mark. 


Saudi e-commerce sales using Mada cards hit $53bn in 2024

Saudi e-commerce sales using Mada cards hit $53bn in 2024
Updated 07 February 2025
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Saudi e-commerce sales using Mada cards hit $53bn in 2024

Saudi e-commerce sales using Mada cards hit $53bn in 2024
  • Year-on-year growth of 25.82%, according to Saudi central bank data
  • Spending power, nation’s economic strength are ‘fueling market growth’

RIYADH: E-commerce sales using Mada cards in Saudi Arabia reached SR197.42 billion ($52.64 billion) in 2024, a year-on-year growth of 25.82 percent, according to data from the Kingdom’s central bank.

Figures released by the institution showed that in December, sales totaled SR19.37 billion, representing a 42.06 percent increase compared to the same month in the previous year.

These figures include payments for online shopping, in-app purchases, and e-wallet transactions, but exclude transactions using credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard.

Mada, the Kingdom’s national payment card system, supports both debit and prepaid services within its network. The cards utilize near-field communication technology for contactless payments, enabling secure transactions at both physical retailers and online.

Mohammed Dhedhi, partner in the consumer and retail practice team at Kearney Middle East and Africa, told Arab News: “The growing spending power in Saudi Arabia, driven by factors such as dual-income households and higher overall economic strength, is fueling market growth.”

He added: “Additionally, the proliferation of NFC-capable devices has significantly boosted the penetration of digital payment channels like Mada, further supporting the shift toward a more digital economy.”

In addition to the surge in sales, the number of e-commerce transactions also experienced a significant rise, increasing by 28.86 percent year-on-year to nearly 1.13 billion transactions in 2024.

December saw a 30.47 percent annual increase, reaching 105.73 million transactions.

According to Dhedhi: “Today, local Mada cards account for over 90 percent of cards issued in the country and over 95 percent of the total transactions made. One of the main reasons for Mada’s popularity is because of how convenient it is to use.”

He added that Mada is widely accepted both in-store and online across Saudi Arabia, providing secure transactions as it is operated by Saudi Payments, a subsidiary of the Saudi Central Bank.

The growing adoption of Mada aligns with the government’s push toward a cashless society, promoting the transition from cash to digital payments.

Dhedhi explained that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated e-commerce penetration in Saudi Arabia, driving faster digital adoption across various sectors.

This growth was further supported by increased investments from both regional and global players looking to expand their operations.

He noted that in 2022, noon.com opened a Customer Fulfillment Center in Riyadh to improve delivery speed and meet the growing demand from consumers.

Saudi Arabia’s growing spending power, supported by factors including dual-income households and a robust economy, continues to drive market expansion.

At the same time, the widespread adoption of NFC-enabled devices has propelled the use of digital payment solutions like Mada.

As a result, the Kingdom is witnessing a rapid shift toward a more digital economy, with seamless and secure transactions becoming an integral part of the evolving e-commerce landscape.

The rise in e-commerce activity aligns with Saudi Arabia’s goal to make digital transactions account for 80 percent of the retail sector by 2030, with 70 percent conducted online by the same year.

According to the International Trade Administration, the Saudi e-commerce market, valued at $5.15 billion in 2023, accounted for 6 percent of the Kingdom’s $92.6 billion retail market.

Dhedhi said: “To improve online shopping experiences, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has introduced reforms focusing on refunds, delivery options, and payment choices.”

He added: “These changes aim to address consumer concerns such as unclear warranties, limited delivery coverage, slow complaint resolutions, and delayed refunds. Retailers are now required to submit performance reports and conduct consumer awareness campaigns.”

According to Dhedhi, Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce market growth will be driven primarily by appliances and electronics, which will account for 23 percent of total growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 8 percent from 2024 to 2028.

The fashion sector is expected to contribute 18 percent, also growing at 8 percent CAGR, while health and beauty will make up 14 percent, expanding at a much faster 16 percent CAGR.

The dominance of electronics and appliances reflects a strong demand for advanced technology and gadgets, particularly among younger, tech-savvy consumers.

In addition, the rising popularity of beauty and home care products aligns with an increasing focus on self-care and wellness across the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the food and beverage segment is projected to experience the highest growth rate at 25 percent CAGR, although its overall market size remains smaller compared to other leading categories, according to Dhedhi.

“The rise in food and beverage e-commerce reflects a growing demand for convenience. Quick commerce has been growing rapidly, and while it historically took players much longer to achieve profitability, the current focus on dark stores and improved unit economics is accelerating this process,” Dhedhi said.

He also noted that while this shift has accelerated growth in the sector, it has also intensified competition. This dynamic ultimately benefits market players in Saudi Arabia by fostering innovation and enhancing service quality.

According to the International Trade Administration, Saudi Arabia’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, driven by substantial government investments and widespread adoption of emerging technologies.

As of 2023, the Kingdom’s Information and Communications Technology sector was the largest and fastest-growing in the Middle East and North Africa region, valued at $40.94 billion and contributing 4.1 percent of gross domestic product, the report stated.

The Kingdom ranked second among G20 countries on the UN International Telecommunication Union’s ICT Development Index in 2023, highlighting its strong digital infrastructure.

Over the past six years, Saudi Arabia has invested $24.8 billion in this area, leading to a 99 percent internet penetration rate and mobile internet speeds of 215 megabits per second, nearly double the global average.

These advancements place the Kingdom among the top 10 countries globally for mobile internet speed, according to the ITA.

Saudi Arabia was an early adopter of 5G technology, with coverage reaching 77 percent of the country — significantly above the global average — and 94 percent in Riyadh, positioning it among the world’s leading cities for 5G accessibility.

This high-speed internet expansion is fueling growth in e-commerce, telecommunications, and digital services, the ITA added.

The number of e-commerce users is projected to reach 34.5 million by 2025, with penetration rising from 66.7 percent in 2023 to 74.7 percent by 2027, according to the report.

Digital payments are also surging, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of a cashless society. Electronic payments in retail transactions surpassed 57 percent in 2021, exceeding the 55 percent target set by the Financial Sector Development Program.

This shift is expected to further accelerate e-commerce growth, attracting more investment in digital financial services.

Dhedhi said: “Millennials, who constitute around 50 percent of the population, are key drivers of e-commerce growth due to their digital fluency and tech-savviness.”

He added: “Expats, on the other hand, prioritize the delivery experience more than locals and show a strong preference for international brands or diverse product offerings, contributing to a broader assortment in the offerings.”

Dhedhi said quick commerce players are tapping into the demand for fast delivery, affordable subscriptions, and influencer partnerships to target younger consumers.

By offering low delivery costs, they are setting new convenience standards. Chinese e-commerce giants including Shein and Temu have successfully attracted Gen Z and millennials with trendy, affordable products, despite occasional compromises in product quality, he said.

Urbanization and rising female workforce participation are further fueling the shift to online retail, with families increasingly relying on e-commerce for groceries, fashion, and household items.

Dhedhi noted that these demographic shifts are broadening the customer base, diversifying consumer behavior, and fueling the expansion of Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce sector, which plays a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s economic transformation.


Oil Updates — crude set for 3rd straight weekly decline amid tariff concerns

Oil Updates — crude set for 3rd straight weekly decline amid tariff concerns
Updated 07 February 2025
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Oil Updates — crude set for 3rd straight weekly decline amid tariff concerns

Oil Updates — crude set for 3rd straight weekly decline amid tariff concerns

LONDON: Oil prices rose on Friday after new sanctions were imposed on Iran’s crude exports but were on track for a third straight week of decline, hurt by US President Donald Trump’s renewed trade war on China and threats of tariffs on other countries.

Brent crude futures were up 51 cents, or 0.7 percent, at $74.80 a barrel by 3 p.m. Saudi time, but were poised to fall 2.6 percent this week. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 48 cents, or also 0.7 percent, to $71.09 a barrel, down 2.1 percent on a weekly basis.

The US Treasury said on Thursday it was imposing new sanctions on a few individuals and tankers helping to ship millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil per year to China, in an incremental move to increase pressure on Tehran.

“Trump has talked about maximum pressure (on Iran). The market takes that quite seriously,” said Michael Haigh, global head of commodities research at Societe Generale. The French bank projects that Iranian oil exports are set to halve.

“The imposition of tariffs and the pauses should be bullish for the oil market because it adds uncertainty. But you haven’t seen this response because of demand concerns. Tariffs and tit for tat responses from nations, it hurts global GDP ... and oil demand,” Haigh added.

Trump had announced a 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports as part of a broad plan to improve the US trade balance, but suspended plans to impose steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

“Downside pressure has stemmed from the news flow around tariffs, with concerns over a potential trade war fueling fears of weakening oil demand,” analysts at BMI said in a note on Friday.

Oil prices settled lower on Thursday after Trump repeated a pledge to raise US oil production, unnerving traders a day after the country reported a much bigger-than-anticipated jump in crude stockpiles.

The benchmarks were also under pressure from swelling US crude inventories, which rose sharply last week as demand softened on ongoing refinery maintenance.


PIF’s SIRC, Germany’s Concord Blue to launch first phase of sewage to renewable hydrogen station

PIF’s SIRC, Germany’s Concord Blue to launch first phase of sewage to renewable hydrogen station
Updated 07 February 2025
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PIF’s SIRC, Germany’s Concord Blue to launch first phase of sewage to renewable hydrogen station

PIF’s SIRC, Germany’s Concord Blue to launch first phase of sewage to renewable hydrogen station
  • Both parties will offer innovative solutions that contribute to environmental sustainability and promote the circular carbon economy
  • Plan will see around 100 million tonnes of waste recycled annually

RIYADH: A new agreement between the Saudi Investment Recycling Co. and the German company Concord Blue will lead to the construction of a station in the Kingdom that converts sewage into renewable hydrogen.

The Public Investment Fund firm inked the memorandum of understanding with the engineering company for the first phase of the development, whereby the plant will use Concord Blue Reformer technology to develop sludge treatment projects resulting from sewage and other organic waste, according to a statement.

Concord Blue Reformer’s non-combustion reforming process uses the principles of staged reforming to efficiently and cleanly recycle waste into energy.

This falls in line with SIRC’s goal of actively leading the charge in implementing impactful waste reduction strategies, accelerating the widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions, and championing the principles of environmental justice.

It also aligns with the comprehensive plan announced by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Environment in January 2024, which targets recycling a significant portion — up to 95 percent — of the country’s waste.

“Under this memorandum, SIRC will provide sewage and agricultural waste as raw materials, while Concord Blue will convert this waste into renewable hydrogen, in addition to transferring knowledge in this field and training national cadres to build, operate and maintain facilities for converting waste into hydrogen,” said Faisal Al-Solami, executive vice president of finance and strategic planning at SIRC.

When fully implemented, the plan will see around 100 million tonnes of waste recycled annually, showcasing the nation’s commitment to sustainability.

Under the terms of the newly signed MoU, both parties will offer innovative solutions that contribute to environmental sustainability and promote the circular carbon economy by producing high-quality green hydrogen and manufacturing biochar and industrial-activated coal. 

Al-Solami said signing the agreement is a key step toward achieving Vision 2030’s recycling and sustainability goals, as it promotes environmentally friendly energy solutions from waste, reduces emissions, and supports an eco-conscious economy.

This comes as the first phase of the project will achieve several goals, including reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills, enhancing hydrogen production on a large scale, and developing innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions.

It will also support local manufacturing projects and contribute to achieving a zero-carbon future by producing clean fuel that supports the transition to a hydrogen economy in the industrial and transportation sectors.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index edges up to close at 12,433

Closing Bell: Saudi main index edges up to close at 12,433
Updated 06 February 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index edges up to close at 12,433

Closing Bell: Saudi main index edges up to close at 12,433

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index edged up on Thursday, gaining 19.18 points, or 0.15 percent, to close at 12,433.58. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.88 billion ($1.83 billion), as 123 of the listed stocks advanced, while 96 retreated.  

The MSCI Tadawul Index increased by 2.23 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 1,545.99. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also rose, gaining 135.68 points, or 0.43 percent, to close at 31,386.27. This comes as 40 of the listed stocks advanced, while 39 retreated. 

The best-performing stock was Almasane Alkobra Mining Co., with its share price surging by 7.49 percent to SR68.9. 

Other top performers included the Thimar Development Holding Co., which saw its share price rise by 5.76 percent to SR56.9, and Makkah Construction and Development Co., which saw a 4.42 percent increase to SR108.60. 

Mutakamela Insurance Co. saw the largest decline of the day, with its share price dropping 2.19 percent to SR18.72. 

The Tanmiah Food Co. saw a decline of 1.99 percent, with its share price dropping to SR127.80, while the Saudi Industrial Investment Group fell by 1.69 percent to SR17.40. 

On the announcements front, Saudi Industrial Investment Group reported its annual financial results for 2024, with net profits reaching SR11 million, matching the previous year’s figure. 

Saudi Arabian Mining Co., known as Ma’aden, also announced the official launch of its US dollar-denominated trust certificates offering.

The offering is available to eligible investors both in Saudi Arabia and internationally, as part of Ma’aden’s strategic initiative to strengthen its financial position and expand investment opportunities. 

To facilitate the issuance, Ma’aden has appointed 10 companies as joint lead managers for the transaction, including Citigroup Global Markets Limited, HSBC Bank, Al Rajhi Capital Co., BNP Paribas, and GIB Capital.

The other five include J.P. Morgan Securities plc, Natixis, Saudi Fransi Capital, SNB Capital Co., and Standard Chartered Bank. 

In a statement to Tadawul, the company stated that the sukuk will be issued in two tranches, with maturities of 5 and 10 years. The minimum subscription amount is set at $200,000, with the final value and terms of the offering to be determined based on market conditions. 

Following the announcement, Ma’aden’s shares closed at SR48.15, up 4.05 percent in today’s session. 


Saudi crown prince launches ‘King Salman Automotive Cluster’ at KAEC

Saudi crown prince launches ‘King Salman Automotive Cluster’ at KAEC
Updated 06 February 2025
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Saudi crown prince launches ‘King Salman Automotive Cluster’ at KAEC

Saudi crown prince launches ‘King Salman Automotive Cluster’ at KAEC

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has named the automotive manufacturing hub within King Abdullah Economic City the “King Salman Automotive Cluster,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The King Salman Automotive Cluster will serve as a pivotal center for the automotive industry, housing the headquarters and manufacturing facilities for both local and international companies.

Notable brands, such as Ceer—the first Saudi electric vehicle brand—and Lucid Motors, which opened its first international factory in KAEC in 2023, are set to be key players in the cluster.

The site will also host multiple Public Investment Fund joint ventures with global manufacturers, including a highly automated factory with Hyundai Motor for car production in Saudi Arabia and a partnership with Pirelli to establish a tire factory.

This new cluster marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts, supporting the development of the automotive sector and advancing sustainable transportation. It will contribute to boosting the non-oil gross domestic product and increasing exports.

The King Salman Automotive Cluster will accelerate local manufacturing capacity, promote research and development, and optimize supply chains, making them more efficient for both regional and international markets.

The project is expected to create numerous investment opportunities for the private sector, fostering the growth of promising industries within the Kingdom.

By 2035, the cumulative GDP contribution from companies within the cluster is projected to reach approximately SR92 billion.

The cluster will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, support local manufacturing, and boost Saudi exports, positively impacting the nation’s balance of payments.

Leveraging KAEC’s robust infrastructure and its strategic location near a well-developed port, the cluster offers significant advantages for both local private sector entities and international companies. These factors will provide ample opportunities for collaboration between partners, suppliers, and investors within the automotive industry and related sectors.

The King Salman Automotive Cluster will play a key role in advancing the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a leading industrial hub and global logistics center by fostering high-growth sectors and attracting foreign investment.