Latest news with #foreigninvestments
Bloomberg
18 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
UK Eases Foreign Investment Scrutiny With Focus on Water, Chips
The UK is narrowing the scope of its national security regime surrounding foreign investments to ease the burden on most businesses while focusing scrutiny on the sectors most vulnerable to malign foreign interference, including water, semiconductors and critical minerals. Changes to the National Security and Investment Act due to be announced Tuesday will lift requirements for businesses operating in 17 sensitive sectors to notify the government about certain types of internal reorganizations and the appointment of liquidators, according to people familiar with the matter.
CNA
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
CNA Correspondent - Tackling Pakistan's Triple Threat
Pakistan is fighting a triple threat from terrorism, an economy in tatters and a climate in crisis. A look at its efforts to tackle insurgents, draw foreign investments and adapt to extreme weather.
Argaam
08-07-2025
- Business
- Argaam
Foreign investments in Saudi Arabia surpass SAR 3T in Q1 2025
Foreign investments in Saudi Arabia crossed the SAR 3 trillion threshold for the first time in Q1 2025, according to recent data from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). The total amount of the foreign investments stood at SAR 3.05 trillion, rising 16% year-on-year (YoY) by the end of the three-month period. Foreign direct investments (FDIs) represented 33% (SAR 995.5 billion) of total investments in Q1 2025. Portfolio investments, which include equity, investment funds and debt bonds, reached SAR 1.24 trillion. Other investments amounted to SAR 808.4 billion for the same period.
Arab News
07-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Exchange unveils new instrument to trade global shares locally
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has introduced a new financial instrument that gives investors in the Kingdom direct access to shares of foreign companies listed on global markets. The Saudi Exchange on July 7 launched its first Saudi Depositary Receipts, allowing international equities to be traded locally in Saudi riyals. The move marks the debut of depositary receipts in the Kingdom's financial market and is seen as a strategic leap toward reinforcing Riyadh's position as a global financial center, in line with the Financial Sector Development Program and broader Vision 2030 ambitions. In a release, Tadawul stated: 'SDRs are highly liquid and flexible, enabling issuers to transfer securities between the Saudi financial market and foreign markets by converting the SDRs into shares in the foreign market, thus enabling the company's shares to be traded on two different financial markets.' It described the launch as 'a pivotal step toward consolidating the Kingdom's position as a global financial center.' This development is not merely a technical upgrade; it reflects a broader strategic effort to modernize and globalize Saudi Arabia's capital markets. Since the launch of Tadawul Group's post-initial public offering transformation, the Kingdom has introduced a series of reforms aimed at enhancing market sophistication and accessibility. These include inclusion in global emerging market indices such as MSCI, FTSE, and S&P Dow Jones; the rollout of derivatives trading; the simplification of Qualified Foreign Investor frameworks; and the acceleration of sector-diverse IPO pipelines. The introduction of SDRs builds on this momentum by bridging local and international investment landscapes — effectively bringing Wall Street- or London-listed equities to Riyadh's trading screens. What are SDRs and why do they matter? A depositary receipt is a financial instrument that represents shares in a foreign company but is traded on a local exchange in the domestic currency. In the case of SDRs, this means investors in the Kingdom can gain exposure to foreign firms — such as global technology giants, industrial leaders, or energy companies — without needing to open a brokerage account abroad. Unlike traditional cross-border investing, SDRs enable seamless trading, clearing, and settlement through Tadawul, all denominated in Saudi riyals. This makes it easier for local investors to access global markets. They can buy international shares through a familiar domestic platform and trade using local brokers. It also helps them diversify their portfolios without dealing with foreign accounts. Most importantly, they remain under the protection of Saudi Arabia's legal and regulatory framework.
Malay Mail
11-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Mida: Malaysia secures RM89.8b approved investments in Q1 2025, up 3.7 pc y-o-y
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — Malaysia has secured RM89.8 billion in approved investments for the first quarter of 2025 (1Q 2025), a steady 3.7 per cent year-on-year increase despite a challenging global economic backdrop. In a statement today, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) said these investments, spread across 1,556 projects in manufacturing, services, and primary sectors, are set to generate over 33,300 new employment opportunities for Malaysians. 'The results reflect continued investor confidence in the country's clear policies and long-term fundamentals, bucking the trend of cautious international capital flows due to geopolitical and macroeconomic volatility, and the intensifying global competition for fresh investments. 'Foreign investments (FIs) dominated the investment landscape, contributing RM60.4 billion or 67.3 per cent of total investments, while domestic investments (DIs) accounted for RM29.4 billion or 32.7 per cent,' it said. Besides job creation, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz said the increase in the Managerial, Technical, and Supervisory (MTS) index to 46.3 per cent from 44.2 per cent in the same quarter last year reflects the country's success in creating higher-skilled, better-paying jobs. 'With a better integrated Asean economy, which we are working hard on as Asean chair, we are also paving the way for Malaysia's continued positioning as a manufacturing and services hub to this fast-growing 680-million strong region,' he said. He said the investment environment in 2025 is expected to remain challenging due to continued geopolitical and macroeconomic headwinds from the US-China trade war. 'Nonetheless, although major markets' protectionist policies and supply chain frictions continue to weigh in on companies' investment decisions, Malaysia's clear policies should be able to attract more investments from Asia's growing economy, which is expected to expand to about 42 per cent of global gross domestic product by 2040,' he said. Besides bringing in good jobs and business opportunities, Mida chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said the projects secured by Mida for 1Q 2025 supported the national effort to build a more diversified and resilient economy. 'To remain a choice location for high-performing companies, we will strengthen our local ecosystem as enablers and prepare our workforce to seize new job and leadership opportunities. 'By ensuring Malaysia remains relevant in global value chains, we can attract and anchor investments that benefit our economy, enterprises and people for the long haul,' he said. As of June 10, 2025, Mida is actively managing a robust pipeline of proposed projects, collectively valued at RM48.5 billion. 'The services sector leads this momentum, with 683 projects accounting for RM27.6 billion, while the manufacturing sector contributes RM20.9 billion across 89 projects. 'Complementing this pipeline, an additional RM59.3 billion in high-potential investment leads are currently under negotiation. These figures signal not only a healthy appetite for investment but also a growing confidence in Malaysia's economic fundamentals and policy direction,' it said. — Bernama
