BNP Paribas Wins Regional Headquarters Licence in Saudi Arabia

BNP Paribas has received a regional headquarters licence in Saudi Arabia, a move that strengthens the French bank’s presence in the kingdom and adds to Riyadh’s push to attract more international firms. The licence was reported by Saudi state news agency SPA after a meeting in Paris between Saudi investment minister Fahd bin Abduljalil al-Saif and BNP Paribas chairman Jean Lemierre. The development comes as Saudi Arabia works to build Riyadh into a regional business and financial hub, and it follows a broader trend of global banks expanding in the market.