Residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including expats, can now invest directly in Saudi Arabia’s main stock market

It’s a key part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, which aims to grow the economy beyond just oil. “This makes our market more open globally,” El-Kuwaiz said, “and builds stronger investment ties with a wider range of people in a more flexible and appealing setup.”

The CMA also rolled out other changes to make the market more attractive and secure. For example, investment funds can now be offered through digital platforms and fintech companies overseen by the Saudi Central Bank. They’ve also added stricter rules, like requiring CMA approval when fund managers change and setting a 60-day transition period to protect investors.

These steps are meant to bring in more money, make the market clearer and fairer, and cement Saudi Arabia’s spot as a major financial player in the region. It builds on earlier moves, like letting big foreign investors in back in 2015 and getting Saudi Arabia included in global stock indices like MSCI and FTSE.