The Real Estate Registry is targeting coverage of 80% of Saudi properties by 2028, its official spokesman told Al Eqtisadiah, and from 22 September 2026 property transactions in the Hail region and nine cities and governorates in the Eastern Province — among them Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran and Qatif — must be executed through the registry, covering transfers of ownership, subdivision, consolidation, mortgages and the management of rights and restrictions.
Registry coverage is increasingly required for a valid transfer. Developers with land in these cities should confirm registration status as soon as possible, not just at closing.
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Confidence at fifty-six seven
Saudi Arabia's Business Confidence Index rose to 56.7 in August from 56.5 in July, holding above the 50-point neutral threshold, according to the General Authority for Statistics. The industrial sector's index climbed to 55.8 and the services index rose to 56.1, after the overall reading dropped to 52.1 in March amid regional tensions and rebounded to 54.5 in April.
Finance directors preparing Saudi budgets for next year should interpret the figure 56.7 as an indicator of continued customer spending expectations, while the March value of 52.1 reflects the pace of change in these expectations.
Fifty-seven studies, three eighty-four recommendations
The Riyadh Economic Forum has produced 57 scientific studies and issued 384 recommendations and initiatives over its 11 previous editions, alongside 157 seminars and workshops, 122 discussion panels and 20 published bulletins across roughly 25 years. The 12th edition runs 12–14 October 2026, organised by the Riyadh Chamber under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, bringing together officials, decision-makers and economic experts from the Kingdom and the region.
Influence here comes from research rather than attendance, so a trade association preparing for the October edition should bring data instead of a delegation.
Derivatives wake up
Derivatives trading on Saudi Exchange rose to about SAR 1.157 billion in September 2026, from SAR 404.9 million in August and SAR 280,000 in July, after no trading at all in H1 2026. Contracts traded rose to 26,510 from 9,725, and transactions to 5,526 from about 1,990. Analysts surveyed by Argaam linked the surge to regulatory enhancements that took effect on 19 August, which cut trading costs and improved capital efficiency.
Analysts link the increase to the changes made on 19 August and believe that growth will require support from more institutions. So a fund manager's risk committee should set a derivatives policy now, instead of waiting for liquidity to stabilize.
