Saudi Arabia will unleash its financial markets next month, scrapping regulatory barriers that have barred most foreigners from investing in the kingdom’s stock exchange.

The Capital Markets Authority said on Monday that it will eliminate its “Qualified Foreign Investor” regulations starting Feb. 1, allowing non-Saudis direct access to the $2.3 trillion stock exchange in Riyadh as part of efforts to boost global capital inflows and market liquidity.

Officials described the move as a key piece of broader economic reforms designed to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy away from its historic reliance on the kingdom’s vast oil revenue. Until now, foreign investors had to show they had at least $500 million in assets under management to trade in Riyadh.

The change comes after the Saudi exchange’s Tadawul All Shares Index delivered its worst performance in 10 years, dropping 13% in 2025. Already, the kingdom has courted international money through partnerships, including exchange-traded funds with Japan and Hong Kong.

The Saudi government, meanwhile, is expected to announce new reforms in the real estate market this month that would make it easier for non-Saudis to buy homes, commercial properties and agricultural land, particularly in Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca and Medina.

Institutional investors such as JP Morgan said the new rules on equities would have limited impactsince they already have access to the stock market, and holdings by smaller investors will be slow to reach a significant share, Reuters reports. More significant, they say, would be reforms that include raising foreign ownership limits for publicly traded companies that are expected later in the year.

Dubai’s Design District is set to be transformed from blocks of warehouse-like buildings into a sprawling, canal-lined neighborhood with a “pedestrian-first spine” to encourage year-round walking.

The masterplan, led by developer Meraas, will cover more than 1.6 million square meters and include cultural quarters, green spaces and five distinct zones combining residences, retail, hospitality, and creative spaces.

A central feature, the Design Line, will be a shaded, walkable route lined with art installations and community areas connecting the district.

While the project’s value and start date have not been disclosed, Dubai Holding Real Estate said it aims to strengthen the city’s status as a global hub for design, talent and long-term investment.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund emerged in 2025 as the biggest spender among the world’s sovereign wealth funds, propelled by the blockbuster acquisition of U.S. video-game maker Electronic Arts.

The $55 billion deal by a PIF-led consortium – in which the Saudis will foot about $29 billion of the total – accounted for the bulk of the fund’s investment activity during the year and pushed it ahead of the world’s top state investors in Norway and China, according to data compiled by Global SWF. Silver Lake and Affinity Partners joined the PIF in the EA acquisition.

Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala ranked second in spending among the sovereign funds, investing roughly $32.7 billion across dozens of transactions, including its $9 billion acquisition of Canadian wealth manager CI Financial.

As a regional bloc, the Gulf sovereign wealth funds, including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, ADQ, Investment Corp. of Dubai, Kuwait Investment Authority, and Qatar Investment Authority, invested $126 billion in 2025, accounting for 43% of global sovereign investment spending, according to the report.

Separately, Global SWF said that the UAE’s top three sovereign wealth funds – ADIA, ICD and Mubadala – will see their assets increase by over 40% over the next five years, jumping from just under $2 trillion to almost $2.8 trillion in 2030.

Alpha Dhabi Holding plans to invest $8 billion over the next five years, with recent divestments providing additional funding for growth.

The Abu Dhabi-based investment company, which is 45% owned by International Holding Co., the vast conglomerate run by UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, most recently generated $1.4 billion when it exited UAE-based real estate investor Modon in October.

Derek Nicholson, Alpha Dhabi’s Chief Strategy Officer, told Zawya that the company seeks acquisitions with “the right risk profile, returns, and synergies.”

Alpha Dhabi also sees potential to monetize its assets through IPOs, accelerated bookbuilds or strategic sales, he said.

Saudi Arabia is starting 2026 with a new bond issue even as it has indicated a preference to slow borrowing over the coming year.

The kingdom plans to sell notes with maturities ranging from three to 30 years, with the size of the issue and final terms likely to be announced soon, Bloomberg reports.

Earlier, the National Debt Management Center said it plans to slow international bond sales in 2026, targeting about $14 billion to $20 billion, a level that would be the lowest since 2022. 

The agency’s borrowing plan points to a more cautious approach after several years of heavy borrowing in global markets, Bloomberg said. 

The move comes as the kingdom manages budget pressures from lower oil income while continuing to fund its economic diversification drive.  Riyadh’s benchmark Tadawul All Share Index dropped 1.8% on Sunday to its lowest point in more than two years.

Egypt’s billionaire Sawiris family is seeking to enter the high-stakes world of super sports cars.

HOF Capital, a firm cofounded by two members of the Egyptian clan, and BlueFive Capital are in talks to buy Porsche’s stake in Bugatti Rimac, Bloomberg reports.

The discussions center on Porsche’s holding in the venture it runs with Rimac Group, which combines the Bugatti brand with Rimac’s electric performance technology.

If completed, the deal could also include Porsche’s stake in Rimac itself, potentially bringing fresh capital into the Croatian electric car business.

Saudi Arabia’s Finance Ministry has taken a majority stake in Saudi Binladin Group, raising its interest to more than 86% as the kingdom steps in to stabilize its largest construction company after years of financial strain. 

The move, which increased the government’s stake from about 36% and was reported by state television, illustrates Binladin’s central role in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious building plans, even after years of the firm’s stalled projects, delayed payments and reputational damage.

Binladin Group has long been Saudi Arabia’s largest builder, responsible for major infrastructure, housing and religious projects, and a key contractor for the state over several decades.

The Jeddah-based company’s standing was shaken in 2015, when a crane collapse at the Grand Mosque in Mecca killed more than 100 people, prompting a temporary ban on new government contracts and straining its finances.

Binladin has since struggled with cash shortages and delayed payments linked to swings in state spending, leading the government to step in repeatedly to keep projects on track.

World soccer chief Gianni Infantino said today that Dubai will host the FIFA Best Awards next year, providing support as the UAE seeks a higher profile in global sports.

Infantino, President of soccer’s FIFA governing body, made the announcement while speaking at the Dubai World Sports Summit, which has brought together top figures from sports, business and government for a two-day conference to mull the commercial future of athletic competition.

“I can announce here a new partnership we have closed together to honor the best players, coaches and teams, here in Dubai,” Infantino said. This year’s FIFA Best Awards were announced earlier this month in Qatar, where France forward Ousmane Dembélé and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí were named the top men’s and women’s players.

The UAE is trying to boost its visibility on the international sports calendar amid the success Saudi Arabia and Qatar have shown in hosting major events. The 2022 FIFA World Cup was held in Doha and Saudi Arabia will host in 2034.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohamed, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, opened the summit, which is taking place at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah conference center. Bahrain’s Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifawon the Arab Sports Personality Award at the World Sports Summit in Dubai. Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, Crown Prince of the Northern emirate of Fujairah, won the UAE Sports Personality Award. 

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, son of Dubai’s ruler, led the Beyond Developments Globe Soccer Awards held on Sunday evening in Dubai at which Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr team,won the best Middle Eastern player award. Paris Saint-Germain forwardOusmane Dembélé was crowned Best Men’s Player and FC Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí Bonmatí was named Best Women’s Player.