Country for PR: United Kingdom
Contributor: PR Newswire Europe
Thursday, September 03 2020 - 03:27
AsiaNet
Saudi Arabia's Capital Market Authority (CMA): Allowing Foreigners to Invest Directly in Debt Instruments
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

The CMA Board issued its resolution on 22/12/1441 H., corresponding to 
12/08/2020G, which included allowing residents and non-residents foreigners to 
invest directly in listed and non-listed debt instruments. This comes as part 
of CMA's strategic goals to develop the capital market "Financial Leadership 
Program" and in line with "Financial Sector Development Program" one of the 
main programs to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

This resolution comes as a continuation of the CMA's endeavor to develop the 
debt instruments market by aligning its regulatory requirements with 
international best practices. In addition to that, the continuity of the 
approach of opening up the Saudi financial market to the world and enhancing 
the investment environment attractive for foreign investors, thus contributing 
to raising the efficiency of the market and increasing its competitiveness 
regionally and internationally. This resolution will also contribute to 
deepening the financial market, enhancing its role in capital formation, and 
diversifying investment products for foreign investor segments.

The CMA Board resolution included the following:

a) All foreign legal and natural persons may invest directly in debt 
instruments.

b) A non-resident foreign person may not invest in the market as a direct 
investor in listed debt instruments and as a qualified foreign investor or an 
ultimate beneficiary in swap agreements at the same time.

c) A foreign person who invests directly in debt instruments may not convert 
such instruments into shares listed in the Main Market, unless such person is 
among the categories of investors who are allowed to invest directly in the 
shares listed in the Main Market, or becomes an ultimate beneficiary in a swap 
agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Authority's instructions on 
swap agreements.

It is noteworthy that the Capital Market Authority worked on preparing a guide 
that aims to clarify the investment channels available for non-resident foreign 
investors, the methods of investing in listed securities, and the procedures of 
investment account opening. The guide can be viewed through the following link: 
(Link - http://cmainternet/en/Market/QFI/Documents/FI-EN.pdf)

Contact:

Capital Market Authority
Communication & Investor Protection Division   
Media@cma.org.sa

About CMA: 

The Capital Market Authority (CMA) is the supervisory and administrative 
authority responsible for regulating and developing the financial market by 
issuing the laws, regulations and instructions necessary to implement the rules 
of the Capital Market Law, in order to provide the appropriate climate for 
achieving confidence, fairness and efficiency for issuance of securities and 
full disclosure of joint stock companies and protect investors from the illegal 
acts in the stock market.

For more information about CMA, please visit the official website: 
www.cma.org.sa

Source:  Saudi Arabia Capital Market Authority (CMA)