Events Email Briefings
rotating globe
Privacy© 2026 Semafor Inc.
  • D.C.
  • BXL
  • Lagos
  • Riyadh
  • Beijing
  • SG
Events Email Briefings

Intelligence for the New World Economy

  • D.C.
  • BXL
  • Lagos
Semafor Logo
  • Riyadh
  • Beijing
  • SG
rotating globe
Intelligence for the New World Economy
Semafor World Economy
Matthew Martin

Matthew Martin

Saudi Arabia Bureau Chief

Email Matthew

Coinbase to establish ‘tokenization hub’ in Abu Dhabi

The hub boosts the UAE’s ambitions to become a global center for digital assets.
People watch as the logo for Coinbase Global Inc, is displayed on the Nasdaq MarketSite jumbotron in Times Square.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Saudi regulator probes investment banks as stock market listings flop

The Capital Market Authority is investigating the poor performance of recent share sales as it looks to revitalize the market.
Saudi woman walks at the Saudi stock market Tadawul
Ahmed Yosri/Reuters

Saudi economy shrinks in second quarter with hit to oil output

The non-oil economy, the main engine of job creation and economic diversification, expanded on an annual basis.
Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura oil refinery
Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters

Saudi defense minister visits Washington to lobby for F-35s

Both the jet sale and wider security cooperation were on the agenda, people familiar with the plans told Semafor.
Saudi defense minister Khalid bin Salman and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Saudi lobbying to host the G20 summit in 2030

The kingdom wants to expand its role on the world stage with an event coinciding with the culmination of its Vision 2030 diversification drive.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at 2022 G20 Summit in Bali
Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Reuters

PIF-backed $2B Gulf fund set to be one of the region’s largest

Brookfield raised $2 billion for a Middle East-focused private equity vehicle backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
PIF Governor Yasir Al Rumayyan, center, with Brookfield CEO Bruce Flatt, second from right, at signing ceremony.
Courtesy of PIF

Saudi AI champion HUMAIN sponsors Ronaldo’s Al Nassr

HUMAIN aims to bring AI for sports management and marketing to Saudi Arabia’s most famous soccer club.

Blackstone, KKR invest in Kuwait pipelines

Kuwait, which raised a $6 billion bond recently, is trying to attract more Wall Street firms and foreign investors as it works to develop its domestic economy.

Delta to launch direct flights to Saudi Arabia

Flights are slated to begin in October just ahead of Saudi Arabia’s flagship annual conference, the Future Investment Initiative.

Riyadh wins US nuclear concessions

US President Donald Trump has reportedly approved allowing Saudi Arabia to build a civil nuclear program, potentially letting the kingdom develop its own enrichment facilities.

PIF’s TAWAL in talks over multibillion-dollar telco towers deal

The acquisition would give the Saudi tower operator control of the kingdom’s market and pave the way for a potential IPO.

Saudi World Cup fans forced to pirate games after BeIN blackout

The host of the 2034 World Cup has blocked access to the Qatar-controlled network that holds regional media rights for this year’s tournament.

Saudi economy proves resilient to Iran war fallout

A decades-old oil pipeline to the Red Sea and prudent fiscal policy are helping the kingdom, according to Tim Callen, former IMF mission chief to the kingdom.

Saudi reshuffle shows pressure on underperforming industries

New heads for mining and defense industries will be tasked with accelerating national development.

Saudi-UAE border trade slows amid tensions

Importers and truckers report long lead times for getting goods across the border into the kingdom.

Saudi debt forecast to rise sharply

The kingdom’s debt levels could reach 60% of GDP by 2030, which could push up borrowing costs and put pressure to tighten spending, one consultancy forecast.

Saudi-UAE tensions hit money flows

For more than a month, money transfers between Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been delayed or cancelled without explanation as a result of the strained ties between the two countries.

UAE developer Arada seeks funds for Gulf real estate

The firm launched a fund management arm, bringing in outside investors for the first time to help finance its real estate developments.