Saudi Arabia's foreign assets surged by more than SAR1.7 billion ($4.5 billion) in November 2010, from around SAR1.66 billion at the end of October 2010, data released by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) showed. Representing the highest increase in foreign assets for 2010, it shows the impact on Saudi Arabia's income of the strong oil prices, allowing the government to acquire more foreign assets. Foreign assets comprised mainly bank deposits which grew from around SAR333.8 million, at the end of October, to SAR339.8 million and investments in securities, which rose from SAR1.152 billion to SAR1.159 billion. Saudi Arabia's foreign assets are controlled by SAMA, the country's central bank.
