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Chasing cashflow
Moody’s sees KSA reprioritizes for faster returns I Saudi tops Gulf private credit | Round two at Rabigh
Thursday, 15 October 2026
Pivoting
Today's top story: Saudi Arabia is reprioritizing its economic strategy by slowing down long-term giga-projects in favor of fast-yield investments like tourism, AI, and manufacturing. Moody’s forecasts the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund will deploy up to SAR 800 bn through 2030 to bolster near-term liquidity.
Today at a glance
News
M&A Watch
IPO WATCH
CMA wants banks to guarantee IPOs and investors to fund their bids
The rules aim to close the gap between headline oversubscription…
THIS MORNING: Almatar eyes Tadawul IPO in 2027
Plus: Ceer’s first EVs will be unveiled next week
Gigaprojects
Sabah Barakat takes over New Murabba as Mukaab plans advance
New Murabba names Sabah Barakat as acting CEO replacing Michael…
War jitters hit Saudi tenders as March awards slump
Only 25 major contracts worth USD 11.8 bn were awarded during the month
Newsmakers
Globant’s MENA CEO on SPL, FIFA’s digital transformation
“Globant has successfully delivered Qiddiya's main digital assets for Seven, Aquarabia, and Six Flags”
My morning routine
Coffee With: Yusef Alyusef, managing director at Alvarez & Marsal Saudi Arabia
Yusef Alyusef is a managing director and partner at Alvarez & Marsal in Riyadh, where he leads work…
Regulation
Legislation Watch
New Statistics Law centralizes authority, strengthens data confidentiality
The legislation introduces fines up to SAR 500k for data…
Regulation Watch
Mapping the real estate foreign ownership zones
Riyadh’s zones are mega-project heavy, Jeddah goes wide, and the…
Cabinet Watch
Cabinet ties land-transfer registration to settling White Land fees
PLUS: Aramco offers more crude for loading outside the Strait…
Royal Court
New governors, deputy ministers appointed in latest royal decrees
Jazan gets a new governor — Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz…
Startup Watch
MENA startups set a mega-round record in 3Q as the early-stage deal base thinned 45%
Three Gulf fintech rounds carried the quarter
Saudi SMEs see fresh wave of funding agreements
Saudi SMEs are getting SAR 5 bn in shariah-compliant financing from Monsha’at and STC…
Sarat rolls out USD 100 mn fund
Plus: Ades Holding completes acquisition of Saipem’s shallow-water drilling business
Lifestyle
PIF’s Seven is courting new IP partners as its Saudi rollout grows
The PIF-owned operator is sizing each destination to local returns, with Tabuk getting less than a third of what Riyadh will, as it prepares to open at least two more this year
Your guide to Saudi’s coolest winter wonders
Light shows, heritage nights, mega concerts, and world-class sports are set to define Saudi’s…
EVIQ to roll out EV charging solutions for Lotus owners. PLUS: Riyadh Season signs up top Youtuber MrBeast
ALSO: Al Etihad Cooperative Ins. maintains Moody’s rating
