Saudi Arabia sells $20bn in bonds as banks tap international debt markets

Saudi Arabia has sold a record $20 billion in bonds since the start of the year, with both the government and state-owned companies actively issuing debt. This borrowing is a key part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 program to diversify the economy and fund projects like real estate development. Saudi banks are also borrowing from international markets at their fastest pace in history to support this credit expansion. The kingdom remains an attractive option for international lenders due to its large foreign reserves and low debt-to-GDP ratio. This trend positions Saudi Arabia as a leading issuer of international debt in emerging markets.