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RIYADH: Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih met with China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing during an official visit, underscoring growing economic ties between the two countries. 

The ministers discussed strengthening cooperation in global trade and boosting direct investment across several sectors, Al-Falih said in an Arabic post on X. The meeting also saw the signing of the minutes of the Saudi-China Trade, Investment and Technology Committee. 

This comes as the Kingdom looks to deepen partnerships with China, its largest trading partner, in line with its Vision 2030 diversification strategy. 

“During my official visit to the capital, Beijing, I was pleased to meet with H.E. Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China. We discussed developing cooperation in global trade and enhancing direct investments across several sectors,” Al-Falih said. 

He added: “The minutes of the Trade, Investment, and Technology Committee between our two friendly countries were also signed.” 

Al-Falih also attended a roundtable with the Saudi ambassador to China, over 35 Chinese financial institutions, and Saudi public and private sector representatives to review investment opportunities and deepen financial cooperation. 

“We convened a high-level roundtable with the Saudi Ambassador, the Chairman of CCPIT, and the head of the China Chamber of Commerce, joined by 70+ Chinese firms across energy, construction, industry, transport, logistics, telecoms, aerospace, and health,” the minister said. 

During the meeting, Wang urged closer cooperation in new energy and capital markets while highlighting the alignment of China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 diversification plan, Reuters reported. 

He said there is potential to “expand bilateral trade volumes, elevate the level of two-way investment cooperation, and broaden collaboration in areas such as new energy, industrial supply chains and capital markets.” 

�������� is one of the few countries with a trade surplus with China. Chinese customs data showed that while the Asian country exported over $50 billion worth of goods to the Kingdom in 2024 — including smartphones, solar panels, and saloon cars — Saudi exports to China totaled $57 billion, over 80 percent of which was oil. 

Al-Falih also met with Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng to explore investment collaboration under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee. 

His visit included workshops on industrial value chains, food security, and maritime industries. One session focused on building a fully integrated logistics value chain with over 50 Chinese companies, while another addressed investment in shipbuilding and maritime supply chains. 

“Given the critical role of maritime transport in global trade, exploring investment in shipbuilding and maritime industries has become increasingly important,” Al-Falih said. 

RIYADH: Egypt is considering offering incentives for large-scale offerings on its stock exchange in an attempt to encourage companies to list in the county, the government’s finance minister revealed.

During a ministerial meeting, Ahmed Kouchouk said this will help deepen the market and boost its activity, demonstrating the government’s commitment to broadening ownership and drawing in more local and international investment, according to a statement. 

The move comes as Egypt seeks to boost its economic attractiveness, a goal helped by US-based credit rating agency Fitch affirming the country’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating at “B” with a stable outlook in April.

“The minister added that work is also underway, in coordination with the Financial Regulatory Authority, to support the state’s plans to expand private sector participation by intensifying promotion and attracting new offerings from private and government companies. This will contribute to increasing liquidity and diversifying the investor base,” said a statement setting out the stock exchange plan. 

During the meeting, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reaffirmed the government’s strong backing for initiatives to advance Egypt’s capital market, highlighting its crucial role in driving economic growth, boosting investment, and strengthening private sector involvement in the economy.

Mohamed Farid, chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority, highlighted the ongoing close collaboration between his organization and the Egyptian Exchange to maintain market stability and enhance its role in financing businesses, as well as offering diverse investment options, ultimately benefiting the national economy.

Farid went on to note that this will also propel the activation and development of new financial and investment mechanisms and products that enhance efficiency and competitiveness altogether. 

Egyptian Exchange Chairman Islam Azzam said the bourse will move in the coming period along two parallel paths, including deepening the market and expanding its tools by introducing new financial products such as derivatives, and activating the market maker mechanism, which will provide greater opportunities for investors and enhance market efficiency and competitiveness.

Azzam also said trading will continue to be fully driven by supply and demand dynamics, highlighting that the administration is committed to ongoing dialogue with market stakeholders to develop more effective policies that enhance the Exchange’s competitiveness and appeal. 

Egypt’s economy is showing resilience despite global headwinds, with foreign investment and policy reforms helping offset volatile markets, Standard Chartered said in its latest outlook.

In its Global Focus – Economic Outlook H2-2025 report, the bank cited growing confidence in the Egyptian pound, underpinned by strong foreign exchange inflows from portfolio investments and official sector support. 

Egypt’s economic resilience comes at a critical time, as global markets face heightened volatility due to geopolitical tensions, fluctuating commodity prices, and the imposition of tariffs.

The country’s ability to attract foreign investment reflects growing confidence in its reform agenda, while its strategic location as a regional trade hub, coupled with large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Suez Canal Economic Zone, further enhances its appeal to investors.