Pursuant to Resolution number 3-151-2016 dated 21 December 2016, the Saudi Arabian Capital Market Authority issued the Parallel Market Listing Rules (the "Rules"). The Rules entered into force as from their issuance.

The Rules provide accommodation and a listing opportunity to joint stock companies that do not meet the requirements of the main market.

The below table summarizes the main requirements for listing in the parallel market. It also offers a comparison with the requirements relating to the main market.

PARALLEL MARKET MAIN MARKET
Expected aggregate market value (AS at the date of listing) of all shares to be listed At least SAR 10 million At least SAR 100 million
MINIMUM PUBLIC ownership within the requested class of share Not less than (20%) Not less than (30%)

MINIMUM Number of public shareholders

Not less than (50) shareholders if the total market value of all shares to be listed is more than SAR 40 million

Not less than (200) shareholders

Not less than (35) shareholders if the total market value of all shares to be listed is less than SAR 40 million
Track Record Must have been carrying out, by itself or through one or more of its subsidiaries, a main activity for at least one financial year Must have been carrying on, either by itself or through one or more of its subsidiaries, a main activity for at least three financial years under substantially the same management

The Rules confine the trading of shares listed in the parallel market to qualified investors.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.