Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports surge as trade ties with China flourish

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports surge as trade ties with China flourish
File photo of the Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan with Chinese Minister of Finance Lan Fo’an. (X:@MAAljadaan)
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Updated 18 August 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports surge as trade ties with China flourish

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports surge as trade ties with China flourish
  • Kingdom exported non-oil goods worth $594 million to the Asian country in May

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia exported non-oil goods worth SR2.23 billion ($594 million) in May, representing a rise of 19.25 percent compared to the previous month, official data showed.

According to the General Authority for Statistics, China was the third-largest destination for Saudi Arabia’s non-oil products in May, behind the UAE and the US, which received goods worth SR6.06 billion and SR3.62 billion, respectively.

Strengthening the non-oil private sector and exporting those goods to countries like China is crucial for Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom is steadily pursuing its economic diversification journey by reducing its dependence on oil.

The report revealed that China was also the top destination for Saudi Arabia’s overall exports, with the Kingdom sending outgoing shipments amounting to SR15.91 billion. 

In May, oil was the main export from Saudi Arabia to South Korea, with shipments totaling SR13.68 billion.

According to the latest data, Saudi Arabia exported plastics and rubber products worth SR876.9 million to China, followed by chemical products at SR851.8 million. 

In May, the Kingdom also exported mineral products totaling SR313.4 million to China, while outgoing shipments of base minerals amounted to SR103.7 million.

China was also Saudi Arabia’s most important import partner in May, with incoming shipments from the Asian nation amounting to SR17.55 billion, representing a rise of 22 percent compared to April.

According to GASTAT, China was followed by the US and the UAE, with the Kingdom importing goods worth SR6.56 billion and SR4.54 billion, respectively, from these nations.

The authority revealed that Saudi Arabia imported mechanical equipment and electrical parts worth SR8.23 billion in May from China.

The Kingdom also imported transport equipment and base metals worth SR2.68 billion and SR1.61 billion, respectively, in May.

Chinese imports to the Kingdom also included antiques and artworks worth SR961.8 million, followed by plastic products at SR806.7 million and textile goods at SR792.4 million.

In May, Saudi Arabia also imported chemical products worth SR479.5 million, while the Kingdom also received incoming shipments of leather, fur, and handbags from China amounting to SR118.4 million.

A blossoming relationship

Saudi Arabia and China have shared strong bilateral relations for several years, with the Kingdom being the largest trading partner of China in the Middle East since 2001, and bilateral trade between the nations reaching $107.23 billion in 2023.

The Kingdom and China are strategic partners in various sectors, including energy and finance, as well as the Belt and Road Initiative.

According to the Chinese government, one out of every six barrels of crude oil imported by China comes from Saudi Arabia, while every Saudi riyal out of every SR7 of the Kingdom’s export revenue comes from the Asian nation.

In May, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan spoke highly of the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, saying that the two countries have maintained positive cooperative communication under the framework of the Economic and Financial Subcommittee of the High-level Chinese-Saudi Joint Committee.

Al-Jadaan also noted that bilateral trade between the two countries surged 31-fold since 1990, adding that outbound investment from China into Saudi Arabia has also been growing rapidly in recent years, making the Asian nation an important partner for the Arab country to realize its vision for economic transformation.

As the diplomatic and economic relationship between Saudi Arabia and China prospers, the Kingdom’s Central Bank, also known as SAMA, and the People’s Bank of China, in November 2023, signed a local currency swap agreement worth SR26 billion ($6.93 billion).

After the agreement, SAMA said that the deal would help strengthen financial cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China, promote the use of local currencies, and strengthen trade and investments between the countries.

Major developments

The first half of this year witnessed several major developments that could enhance the bilateral, economic, and trade relationships between Saudi Arabia and China.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund signed six deals amounting to $50 billion with top Chinese financial institutions to enhance bilateral capital flows.

In a press statement, the Public Investment Fund said that it signed memoranda of understanding with China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, China Export and Credit Insurance Corp., Bank of China, Export-Import Bank of China, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

According to the statement, these agreements will focus on facilitating two-way capital flows through both debt and equity between Saudi Arabia and China.

In the same month, Saudi Basic Industries Corp. signed a potential investment agreement with the Fujian government in China to develop an engineering thermoplastic compounding plant in the Asian nation.

In July, the stock exchange relationship between both nations strengthened further as two new exchange-traded funds focused on the Kingdom’s stocks debuted in Shanghai and Shenzhen.

The first fund, CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF QDII, managed by China Southern Asset Management, is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange after raising $87 million.

The second fund, the Huatai-PineBridge managed CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF QDII, started trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange after raising $82.32 million.

The debut of these ETFs in Chinese exchanges occurred at a time when investor relations between the two nations continued to flourish, with China becoming the top greenfield foreign direct investor in the Kingdom with investments amounting to $16.8 billion in 2023, representing a 1,020 percent rise compared to the previous year.

China and Saudi Arabia are also deepening their relationship in the tourism sector, with the implementation of the Approved Destination Status arrangement, which came into effect on July 1.

The Chinese ADS policy is a bilateral agreement between countries that allows its citizens to travel to specific overseas destinations for tourism purposes in organized groups.

The decision to implement ADS aligns with Saudi Arabia’s goal of attracting 5 million Chinese tourists by 2030, facilitated by new direct flights from Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, alongside existing Saudia flights.

In June, the Saudi Tourism Authority and Taiba Investments, a major hospitality and real estate firm in the Kingdom, also signed another agreement to develop integrated residential ecosystems and a specialized network of hotels catering to tourists from China.

In the same month, Riyadh Air, backed by the PIF, signed an agreement with China Eastern Airlines to enhance future connectivity and collaborate on digital transformation, further cementing its entry into the Chinese market.

“Our partnership with Air China, a leading global carrier with a vast network in key Chinese markets, complements Riyadh Air’s ambitious future plans,” said Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, at that time.

The agreement also focuses on interline connectivity, codeshare arrangements, and potential collaboration in frequent flyer programs as well as cargo services, customer experience, and digital innovation.

On the cultural front, King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh, in August, implemented an initiative to introduce Saudi culture to Chinese-speaking audiences through its publishing program.

As part of this program, a series of scientific, cultural, and literary works in Arabic were selected for translation into various languages, including Chinese.

According to an official statement, the primary purpose of this initiative is to present a comprehensive portrait of contemporary Saudi culture to Chinese readers.

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Saudi Arabia increasingly attractive to investors, BlackRock official tells Arab News

Saudi Arabia increasingly attractive to investors, BlackRock official tells Arab News
Updated 17 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia increasingly attractive to investors, BlackRock official tells Arab News

Saudi Arabia increasingly attractive to investors, BlackRock official tells Arab News

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is drawing attention from local and international investors as the Kingdom continues to prosper, according to a top global asset management company official.

In an interview with Arab News, BlackRock’s Managing Director, Head of Middle East Client Business and CEO Saudi Arabia Yazeed Al-Mubarak, said that the global client base has shown a growing interest in gaining exposure to Middle Eastern assets. 

He also underlined that regional investors are increasingly seeking more appealing opportunities within the local market.

“As Vision 2030 and its accompanying capital investment comes to life, Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly attractive destination for local and international investment,” Al-Mubarak said.

In August, BlackRock signed a memorandum of understanding in New York with the Saudi Real Estate Refinance Co., fully owned by the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund. 

The signing occurred during an official visit to the US by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid Al-Hogail.

The deal seeks to develop the real estate finance sector in the Kingdom and increase the share of businesses in the industry’s capital markets.

The agreement was signed by SRC CEO Majid Al-Abduljabbar and Al-Mubarak in the presence of BlackRock President Robert Kapito.

Al-Mubarak said that SRC is leading the way in developing mortgage refinancing solutions for Saudi banks and housing finance companies, enabling global institutional investors to engage with this expanding and high-quality fixed-income asset class.

Commenting on his company’s memorandum with SRC, the CEO said the announcement is an agreement to develop a high-quality fixed-income asset class of mortgage-related securities.

Providing insight on how BlackRock foresees this partnership impacting the real estate finance market in the Kingdom, he said that the Saudi housing sector is experiencing rapid growth due to population expansion, urbanization, and proactive government initiatives.

“Central to this growth is the Housing Program under Vision 2030 that aims to increase homeownership to 70 percent by 2030,” he said.

He added: “The mortgage market has quadrupled in size over the last five years, exceeding $150 billion and expected to further grow to nearly $200 billion. Prior year’s momentum slowed in 2022-2023 due to house price appreciation, rising mortgage rates, and a significant reduction in historical subsidy programs.”

Al-Mubarak further said that to support this growth and bank lending, SRC is looking to issue securitizations locally and internationally to provide additional funding capacity and contribute to the development of the Saudi debt capital markets.

Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock, with Yazeed Al-Humied, deputy governor and head of MENA investments at PIF, in April at the launch of BlackRock Riyadh Investment Management. PIF

Commenting on how this collaboration aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and what role his firm sees itself playing in achieving these goals, the managing director pointed to BlackRock Riyadh Investment Management, or BRIM – launched in April with an initial investment mandate of up to $5 billion from PIF.

The company – dubbed the first-of-its-kind in the Kingdom by BlackRock’s CEO Larry Fink when it was announced –  will further develop Saudi Arabia’s asset management sector, including the housing capital markets, and provide a broad range of attractive backing strategies for Middle Eastern and global clients. 

“BRIM will encompass investment strategies across a range of asset classes for the Saudi market, including both public and private markets, managed by a Riyadh-based investment team,” Al-Mubarak told Arab News.

He added that the guarantee offering provided by the Saudi Mortgage Guarantee Services Co., or Damanat, fully owned by the Saudi Real Estate Development Fund, will now act as an enabler for BRIM’s mortgage-focused fixed income strategies.

Speaking of the long-term goals of this partnership, Al-Mubarak said that these include the development of the Kingdom’s mortgage securitization framework, as well as related investment strategies to enable investors to access this market.

Al-Mubarak discussed his company’s initial partnership with SRC and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, stating that while there are no firm plans at this stage, his company is enthusiastic about working with both entities on future projects.


Aramco enhances cooperation with China’s Rongsheng, Hengli in new deals

Aramco enhances cooperation with China’s Rongsheng, Hengli in new deals
Updated 9 min 37 sec ago
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Aramco enhances cooperation with China’s Rongsheng, Hengli in new deals

Aramco enhances cooperation with China’s Rongsheng, Hengli in new deals

RIYADH: Saudi oil giant Aramco has unveiled new agreements with its Chinese partners, Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. and Hengli Group Co., during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to the Kingdom.

According to a press release, these agreements underscore Aramco’s ongoing dedication to bolstering China’s long-term energy security and development while enhancing its strategic relationship with key regional partners.

The agreements include preliminary documentation for a development framework agreement with Rongsheng and a strategic cooperation agreement with Hengli Group. These collaborations occur as Saudi Arabia and China deepen their engagement in the energy and petrochemical sectors, reinforcing Aramco’s role in advancing mutual objectives in these critical industries.

The development framework agreement with Rongsheng involves the potential joint expansion of the Saudi Aramco Jubail Refinery Co. facilities. This follows an announcement in April 2024, when Aramco and Rongsheng signed a cooperation framework agreement that set the stage for a joint venture in SASREF and significant investments in the Saudi and Chinese petrochemical sectors.

The joint venture contemplates Rongsheng acquiring a 50 percent stake in SASREF, while Aramco would potentially acquire a 50 percent stake in Rongsheng’s affiliate, Ningbo Zhongjin Petrochemical Co. Additionally, the agreement includes participation in the expansion of ZJPC’s facilities and the development of a liquids-to-chemicals project at SASREF, representing a substantial enhancement in the petrochemical capabilities of both companies.

The strategic cooperation agreement advances discussions related to Aramco’s potential acquisition of a 10 percent stake in Hengli Petrochemical Co., contingent on due diligence and regulatory approvals.

This agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed in April this year, which outlined the proposed transaction and set the foundation for further collaboration between Aramco and Hengli in the petrochemical sector.

Aramco’s Downstream President Mohammed Y. Al-Qahtani, emphasized the importance of these agreements, stating that they affirm the company’s belief in the long-term mutual benefits of close collaboration with Chinese partners.

“China is an important country in our global downstream growth strategy, and we look forward to building on a relationship that spans more than three decades to unlock new opportunities in this crucial market,” he said.

Al-Qahtani further said that these agreements reflect a shared intention to strengthen relationships in key sectors, advance Aramco’s downstream goals, and contribute to the vibrant energy and petrochemicals sectors in both China and Saudi Arabia.

These agreements are part of Aramco’s broader strategy to cement its position as a key player in the energy landscape while contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economic development. By fostering closer collaboration with Chinese partners and exploring innovative technological solutions, Aramco is positioning itself to meet the evolving energy needs of both nations.

The company’s relationship with China spans over three decades, and these latest agreements mark a continuation of this longstanding partnership, with a focus on future growth and innovation.


Saudi Arabia issues over 37k certificates of origin reinforcing export growth

Saudi Arabia issues over 37k certificates of origin reinforcing export growth
Updated 26 min 59 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia issues over 37k certificates of origin reinforcing export growth

Saudi Arabia issues over 37k certificates of origin reinforcing export growth

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources issued 37,730 certificates of origin in August, maintaining its strong focus on enhancing the country’s export sector.

This achievement marks the 16th consecutive month with certificate issuances exceeding 30,000, following July’s total of 40,588 and June’s 31,887.

These certificates play a vital role in confirming that exported goods are either of Saudi origin or have attained national origin status, thereby facilitating smoother international trade.

By streamlining the issuance process, the ministry seeks to boost the competitiveness of the Kingdom’s exports in international markets, strengthen trade relationships, and promote broader economic growth.

To accommodate the diverse needs of exporters, the certificates are offered in four distinct formats. One format is specifically designed for national products traded within Gulf Cooperation Council countries, facilitating regional commerce.

Another format caters to exports to Arab nations. Additionally, a preferential certificate is available for trade with countries that have free trade agreements with the GCC.

For exports to countries without preferential treatment, a general certificate is provided in both Arabic and English to ensure accessibility.

The enhanced ease of exporting goods bolsters the diversification of Saudi Arabia’s economy and reduces its reliance on oil revenues. This effort aligns with the Kingdom’s broader economic objectives outlined in Vision 2030, which focus on fostering sustainable, long-term growth through the expansion of non-oil sectors. Recently, Saudi Arabia has introduced several key initiatives designed to strengthen its export capabilities, particularly for non-oil products, as part of its broader diversification strategy.

A key initiative in this effort is the “Made in Saudi” program, spearheaded by the Saudi Export Development Authority. This initiative promotes locally manufactured goods on the international stage by helping companies secure the “Saudi Made” brand.

This branding not only increases the visibility of Saudi products in global markets but also emphasizes quality and credibility, thereby enhancing their competitiveness abroad.

SEDA has also launched several trade missions to bolster international trade relationships. In 2024, Saudi delegations took part in prominent global exhibitions, including the Big 5 Construct Egypt and events in India, where they highlighted Saudi non-oil exports.

These missions facilitate connections between Saudi exporters and international buyers, expanding market access for national products. Such efforts underscore the Kingdom’s strategic goal of increasing non-oil exports to 50 percent of gross domestic product, diversifying its economy, and diminishing its reliance on oil revenues.


Saudi flynas inks exclusive deal as Al-Hilal Club’s official air carrier

Saudi flynas inks exclusive deal as Al-Hilal Club’s official air carrier
Updated 28 min 49 sec ago
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Saudi flynas inks exclusive deal as Al-Hilal Club’s official air carrier

Saudi flynas inks exclusive deal as Al-Hilal Club’s official air carrier

JEDDAH: Saudi budget airline flynas has made its debut in the sports sector by signing a sponsorship deal with Al-Hilal Club Co., becoming the team’s official air carrier. 

The airline signed an exclusive agreement to support Al-Hilal for four seasons, running through the 2027-2028 period, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

As part of the deal, flynas will dedicate an aircraft featuring Al-Hilal’s logo on its fuselage. The airline will also gain commercial rights both on and off the field, and its logo will appear on the players’ jerseys as an official partner. 

The sponsorship aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to boost the sports sector as a driver of economic growth and tourism. 


Saudi Arabia’s POS transactions fluctuate in early September to reach $3.5bn

Saudi Arabia’s POS transactions fluctuate in early September to reach $3.5bn
Updated 11 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s POS transactions fluctuate in early September to reach $3.5bn

Saudi Arabia’s POS transactions fluctuate in early September to reach $3.5bn
  • Spending in the education sector led the dip, recording the highest decrease at 43.6%
  • Spending on public utilities saw the second-largest decline at 25.1%

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s point-of-sale transactions dipped in the first week of September, dropping by 4.9 percent from the previous week to reach SR13.3 billion ($3.5 billion), with the education sector leading the decline.

The latest figures from the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, showed that spending in the education sector led the dip, recording the highest decrease at 43.6 percent, with total transactions reaching SR350 million.

This week marks the third time in a row the education sector witnessed a decrease in spending after surging for four consecutive weeks, coinciding with the start of the academic year on Aug. 18.

During the first week of September, spending on public utilities saw the second-largest decline at 25.1 percent to SR59 million.

Spending on culture and recreation recorded the third biggest dip with a 12.2 percent negative change, reaching SR293.4 million. 

Expenditure on miscellaneous goods and services recorded the smallest decline at 0.7 percent, reaching SR1.57 billion during this period. 

Saudis spent SR209.8 million on electronic and electric devices and SR1.92 billion at restaurants and cafes. These two sectors experienced the second and third smallest declines, dropping 0.8 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.

Looking at the biggest value of transactions this week, the food and beverages sector saw the biggest share of the POS at SR2.10 billion, followed by restaurants and cafes and miscellaneous goods and services.

Spending in the top three categories accounted for 41.98 percent or SR5.6 billion of this week’s total value.

The most significant increase, at 7.8 percent, occurred in spending on jewelry, boosting the total to SR247.8 million. Expenditures on furniture came in second place, surging by 5.4 percent to SR309.3 million. In third place, hotel spending increased by 3 percent to SR245.3 million.

Geographically, Riyadh dominated POS transactions, representing 34.1 percent of the total, with spending in the capital reaching SR4.55 billion — a 4.6 percent decrease from the previous week. 

Jeddah followed with a 5 percent decline to SR1.82 billion, accounting for 13.6 percent of the total, and Dammam came in third at SR662.1 million, down 4.2 percent.

Tabuk saw the most significant decrease in spending, down by 9.9 percent to SR265 million. Buraidah and Abha also experienced downsticks, with expenditure dipping 7.9 percent and 7.7 percent to SR309.1 million and SR176.5 million, respectively.

In terms of the number of transactions, Makkah recorded the highest increase at 1.9 percent, reaching 8,613. Tabouk recorded the highest decrease at 2.7 percent, reaching 4,850 transactions.