Main Topic: Dealmaking in the Middle East region
Key Points:
1. Illuminati Capital raised $50 million for its blockchain and Web3-based gaming fund.
2. Saudi Arabia's early-stage VC fund secured a $1.5 million commitment from Jordan's Innovative.
3. Dealmaking in the Middle East region has seen an uptick.
### Summary
Saudi Arabia's stock market ended higher on Sunday due to the rise in oil prices, although gains were limited as investors awaited further interest rate insight from the U.S. Federal Reserve.
### Facts
- 📈 Saudi Arabia's benchmark index gained 0.4%.
- 🚀 Petrochemical maker Saudi Basic Industries Corp rose 1.7%.
- 💹 Riyad Bank increased by 1.8%.
- ⛽️ Oil prices rose about 1% following a slump in U.S. crude production, leading to an anticipated supply tightness.
- 👥 Qatar's index edged 0.1% higher, boosted by a 1.3% gain in Commercial Bank.
- 📰 Investors will scrutinize a speech from Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Friday for clues about the interest rate outlook.
- 💱 Gulf countries tend to follow the Fed's rate move as most regional currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar.
- 🇰🇼 Only the Kuwaiti dinar is pegged to a currency basket that includes the dollar.
- 📈 Egypt's blue-chip index added 0.4%, with tobacco monopoly Easter Company advancing 2.9%.
The Saudi government's efforts to diversify the economy away from oil and promote private sector growth are showing progress across four dimensions: exports, output, government revenue, and employment, although oil remains a dominant force in the economy.
Main topic: Increasing Saudi Arabian investment in U.S. startups.
Key points:
1. Saudi Arabia-based firms have been participating in a growing number of funding deals with U.S. startups since 2019, with the number of deals increasing each year.
2. Saudi Arabia-based firms have also been leading or co-leading more funding rounds, indicating a stronger investment presence in the U.S. market.
3. Saudi Arabian investors, including funds such as Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Sanabil, have been actively investing in U.S. startups, with notable investments in companies like Uber and Lucid Motors.
Saudi Arabia's robust diversification efforts, driven by Vision 2030 strategies, have resulted in a surge of business activities and economic growth, despite worldwide economic uncertainty and concerns over inflation and geopolitical tensions. The country's economic diversification journey has led to the opening of new sectors and advancements in fields such as tourism, media, finance, and clean energy, making it a regional economic and technology hub. Saudi Arabia's continued focus on sectors like mining, metals, hospitality, tourism, and clean energy, along with fiscal consolidation efforts and revenue-enhancing measures, are key to sustaining its economic diversification model.
Main Topic: Saudi Arabia's robust economic diversification efforts driven by Vision 2030 strategies.
Key Points:
1. Saudi Arabia's economic diversification efforts have led to a surge in business activities despite global economic uncertainty.
2. The country has made significant improvements in its Economic Diversification Index scores and has opened new sectors in tourism, media, hospitality, finance, and the digital sphere.
3. Investment in digital transformation and the clean energy sector are expected to contribute to sustained economic growth and make Saudi Arabia a regional economic and technology hub.
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan aims to transform the economy, improve citizens' lives, and maintain global prominence through ambitious projects like Neom's $1 trillion megacity known as The Line, but the success of the plan is uncertain and could pose challenges in terms of social tensions and regional competition.
Saudi Arabia experienced a sharp decline in its foreign reserves, with a drop of over $16 billion last month, marking the largest decrease since the negative oil prices during the pandemic as the country invested in US stocks using its savings.
Saudi Arabia, as a new member of the BRICS economic alliance, plans to invest $16 billion from its foreign reserves, signaling a shift towards prioritizing investment over reserves and potentially bolstering the bloc's ongoing initiatives.
A group of oil analysts and economists have raised their 2023 oil price forecasts, predicting Brent crude will average $82.45 a barrel and that Saudi Arabia is likely to extend its voluntary oil supply cut into October.
Saudi Arabia's tourism revenue tripled in the first quarter of 2023 as the country attracted more visitors and sought to diversify its economy from oil, with a surplus of 22.8 billion Saudi riyals ($9.86 billion) in the balance of payments for the tourism sector and a record number of tourists.
Saudi Arabia is experiencing a thriving fintech sector, with digital payments reaching 62% of the country's target of 70% by the end of 2025, and the number of fintech companies reaching 183, representing 80% of the target set for 2025. The growth of fintech is expected to support institutions, enable small businesses, and contribute to the expansion of the digital economy in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia plans to invest up to $25 billion in Pakistan over the next few years, focusing on sectors such as mining, agriculture, and information technology, in an effort to increase foreign direct investment and aid Pakistan's economic recovery.
Saudi Arabia and Russia have announced that they will extend their cuts in oil supplies through the rest of 2023, pushing oil prices higher.
Pakistan's civilian and military leaderships are optimistic that Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, will invest billions of dollars in the country to alleviate its cost-of-living crisis, but doubts remain about the feasibility of these projections and the need for economic reforms and stability.
Summary: Rising oil prices and increasing gas prices, driven by the Russian-Saudi agreement to extend oil production cuts, are contributing to inflation concerns and putting pressure on the markets, leading to potential gains for oil stocks like ConocoPhillips and Chevron.
Analysts predict that Saudi Arabia may face an economic contraction in 2023 due to its decision to extend crude production cuts, highlighting the nation's heavy reliance on oil, while a large dividend from Saudi Aramco may provide some cushion for public finances.
Saudi Arabia is set to increase its crude supplies to China as new refining capacity lifts offtake, aiming to regain lost market share in the country. Meanwhile, China's huge zinc imports have revived hopes for economic growth in the second half of 2023.
If Saudi Arabia continues to keep its output low, oil prices could surpass $100 as the market has yet to experience the full impact of its production cuts, according to Vortexa.
The price of oil is surging as Saudi Arabia and Russia cut output, creating a supply deficit that is driving up prices and threatening a fragile global economy with inflation and potential interest rate hikes.
Pakistan needs to address concerns related to incentives, coordination, and remittance in order to secure Saudi investments in copper, mineral, refinery, and solar projects worth $25-30 billion, including the construction of a $10-12 billion refinery in Hub or Gwadar.
Saudi Arabia is undergoing a major transformation through its Vision 2030 plan, led by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, aiming to diversify its economy and secure its place on the global stage; despite controversies and challenges, the country's economy is booming, heavily reliant on oil, and is making significant investments at home and abroad.
Most stock markets in the Gulf rose in response to a rise in oil prices, except for the Saudi index which closed lower; however, the International Monetary Fund predicts a further slowdown in Saudi Arabia's GDP growth due to the extension of oil production cuts.
Oil prices reach new highs in 2023 due to supply constraints caused by output reductions from Saudi Arabia and Russia, raising concerns about global inventory shortages and potential inflationary pressures.
Saudi Arabia's debt market is set to be reformed in order to help businesses in the Kingdom acquire funding and compete on a global level, according to the chairman of the Capital Markets Authority. The changes will occur gradually to ensure economic stability and support the goals of the Vision 2030 initiative to grow the country's financial sector. The chairman also expressed optimism about the growth of the Saudi Stock Exchange and its record-breaking performance in 2022.
The United States is in regular contact with Saudi Arabia to ensure a stable and affordable supply of energy to global markets, according to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. This comes as cuts in oil output by Saudi Arabia and Russia are expected to result in a significant market deficit.
The International Energy Agency warns of a deepening oil market deficit in the fourth quarter due to extended Saudi and Russian production cuts, leading to diesel shortages and higher fuel prices impacting sectors such as construction, transport, and farming.
The United Arab Emirates saw a 31.8% increase in revenue in 2022, supporting an overall fiscal surplus, as the country focuses on developing its non-oil sectors such as trade, tourism, manufacturing, logistics, and financial services.
Gasoline prices are rising due to oil supply cuts in Saudi Arabia and Russia, as well as flooding in Libya, but some experts believe that increasing oil prices will not have a significant impact on the US economy and do not expect them to rise much higher in the next year or two due to factors such as increased US oil production, slow global economic growth, and the green energy transition. However, high oil prices can lead to higher inflation, potential recession, and could influence the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, but the impact may not be as severe as in the past, and some experts recommend investing in the energy transition and adopting a more defensive investment strategy.
Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, stated that the decision to extend crude oil supply cuts with Russia is not about raising prices, but rather about making the right decision at the appropriate time based on data and clarity, as oil prices near $100 per barrel and analysts predict further increases.
Thailand's new government plans to borrow 2.4 trillion baht ($66.4 billion) for the fiscal year 2024, representing a 9% increase from the current year, as part of their efforts to stimulate the economy.
Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product (GDP) has surpassed $1 trillion for the first time, achieving its national goal ahead of schedule, with the country's private sector playing a significant role in its economic growth.
Kenya's total debt has exceeded Ksh10 trillion ($69.3 billion) in June 2023, with foreign borrowing accounting for 53.51% of the debt, driven in part by the devaluation of the Kenyan shilling, as multilateral organizations like the IMF and World Bank continue to play a crucial role in financing the country's budget.
Oil prices have risen due to Saudi Arabia's decision to cut back oil production, which has led to higher gasoline and diesel prices, complicating the global fight against inflation and benefiting Russia's economy.
Rising oil prices, driven by production cuts from Saudi Arabia and Russia, could have long-term economic repercussions, particularly in developing countries.
Saudi Arabia's economy is experiencing growth in non-oil sectors, driven by strong domestic demand and increased investment, but sustaining this growth will require ongoing reforms and sound macroeconomic policies.
Saudi Arabia may soon end its production cuts to avoid demand collapse and prevent excessively high oil prices, according to Bob McNally of Rapidan Energy Group.
The Pakistani government has issued new debt of over Rs2.5 trillion in the first three months of the current financial year to address its rising fiscal deficit, indicating a reliance on domestic sources as external financing decreases and revenues decline.
Saudi Arabia, a new member of the BRICS alliance, is expected to face a $21 billion budget deficit next year despite growth in its non-oil sector, though its GDP growth is still projected to exceed 4%.
Saudi Arabia and Russia have announced that they will continue voluntary oil cuts until the end of the year, in response to tightening supply and rising demand.
Saudi Arabia and Russia have confirmed that they will maintain their oil supply cuts in November, despite the recent rise in oil prices.
Saudi Arabia has launched a Gulf electricity market project with Iraq, which will enable the exchange of electricity between the two countries and could result in energy sales reaching up to $300 million annually. The initiative also aims to expand to other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with plans underway to connect Kuwait, UAE, and Oman, as well as exploring partnerships with Jordan and Egypt.
The US government's budget deficit reached $1.7 trillion in the 2023 fiscal year, exceeding the previous year's shortfall by $300 billion, prompting concerns from the International Monetary Fund about the country's fiscal situation.
The US posted a $1.695 trillion budget deficit in fiscal 2023, marking a 23% increase from the prior year due to falling revenues and increased outlays for programs such as Social Security and Medicare, as well as record-high interest costs on the federal debt.
The US budget deficit for fiscal year 2023 reached $1.7 trillion, a 23% increase from the previous year, posing challenges for Congress in reaching a federal spending deal before government funding runs out next month.
The US deficit for fiscal year 2023 reached $1.7 trillion, growing 23 percent in a year, and multi-trillion-dollar deficits are expected to become the new normal under Bidenomics, driven by excessive government spending and insufficient revenues.
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