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RIYADH: �������� retained its 30th position in the 2025 Global Financial Inclusion Index, with strong gains in digital finance and fintech ecosystems, a new analysis showed. 

According to a report by Principal Financial Group and the Center for Economics and Business Research, while the Kingdom’s overall ranking remained unchanged, its score rose by 0.9 points — marking a cumulative improvement of 9.3 points since the index was launched in 2022. 

The latest edition assessed 42 markets based on three pillars: government support, financial system support, and employer support. 

�������� recorded the world’s second-largest annual improvement in the financial system support pillar, climbing four spots to 35th with a 1.8-point score increase. 

The report attributed the gains to regulatory reforms, a fast-expanding fintech base, and investment in financial infrastructure. 

The UAE was ranked 22nd in the Index, thus becoming one of only three markets globally to climb more than one place in the rankings, driven by the largest movement in the financial support system pillar. 

“�������� and the UAE are showing how bold investment in fintech and financial literacy can accelerate inclusion, resilience, and growth. This progress is not just about digital access — it is about empowering people and businesses to help build stronger financial futures,” said Kamal Bhatia, CEO and president of Principal Asset Management. 

According to the report, the Kingdom retained its 22nd rank in the government support pillar.

In the consumer championing regulations indicator, which falls under this metric, �������� ranked third globally, reflecting regulatory initiatives that provide consumers with greater protection. 

In the employer support pillar, the Kingdom secured the ninth spot globally, unchanged from the previous year. 

Only eight of the 42 markets experienced increases in the presence and quality of fintechs, with the UAE and �������� among them. 

“The Gulf’s two largest economies illustrate how sustained digital investment translates into measurable inclusion gains, even when headline rankings don’t change significantly,” said Pushpin Singh, managing economist at Center for Economics Business and Research. 

Globally, Singapore secured the top spot in the ranking, followed by Hong Kong, Switzerland, and South Korea.

RIYADH: Egypt is set to offer prime real estate along the Nile Corniche to private investors, aiming to monetize underutilized state assets and boost government revenues, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said. 

In a meeting at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, Madbouly directed authorities to accelerate plans to transform lands and buildings overlooking the Nile into investment opportunities, according to an official statement from the Cabinet. 

The authorities have identified 110 sites along the Nile Corniche in Cairo, covering 430 acres, and 82 sites in Giza, spanning 315 acres.

The move comes as the government reported a record primary budget surplus of 629 billion Egyptian pounds ($13 billion) for fiscal year 2024–2025, despite a 60 percent decline in Suez Canal revenues. 

The initiative complements broader industrial development efforts. Last month, the government offered 1,386 fully serviced industrial plots across 23 governorates and 35 industrial zones, totaling 6.8 million sq. meters, to attract local and foreign investors. 

In its official Facebook account, the Egyptian Cabinet stated: “The Prime Minister directed that work be accelerated to transform lands overlooking the Nile Corniche into investment opportunities for various activities.”  

It added: “He clarified various details related to these lands, including height restrictions, their prices, and the proposed activities. He also outlined the various procedures and steps required to obtain the necessary licenses to commence operations there.” 

Counselor Mohamed El-Homsany, the Cabinet’s official spokesperson, said the Prime Minister also reviewed the executive steps taken to identify properties available for investment, in coordination with the relevant authorities. 

“A geographic database has been prepared for the various state assets overlooking the Nile Corniche in the two governorates, including the jurisdiction over these lands, the nature of the lands currently occupied, and the activities utilized therein,” the statement added. 

Furthermore, the official spokesperson stated that the meeting reviewed a detailed report on these sites, documenting each plot’s area, administrative jurisdiction, land characteristics, and current uses.