100 Thai Brands Intend to Expand Investments in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Minister of Investment speaks at the Saudi-Thai Investment Forum, which was held in Saudi Arabia last year. (SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Investment speaks at the Saudi-Thai Investment Forum, which was held in Saudi Arabia last year. (SPA)
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100 Thai Brands Intend to Expand Investments in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Minister of Investment speaks at the Saudi-Thai Investment Forum, which was held in Saudi Arabia last year. (SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Investment speaks at the Saudi-Thai Investment Forum, which was held in Saudi Arabia last year. (SPA)

More than 100 leading Thai brands in various sectors are scheduled to participate in the first Thai exhibition of its kind in the Kingdom to enhance trade exchange and expand investments.

Trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and Thailand reached nearly $36.8 billion over the past year, a 37 percent increase from 2021. Riyadh's exports amount to $26 billion, and imports $10.8 billion.

The Thai Embassy and the General Authority for Commerce General Authority of Foreign Trade in Riyadh will host an exhibition, with the participation of Thai brands.

The four-day event will boost trade and economic exchange between Saudi Arabia and Thailand by highlighting the two countries' strong marketing and investment relations.

The exhibition will provide a unique platform for entrepreneurs, aspiring professionals, and companies eager to tap into potential business prospects and forge partnerships.

The event will allow visitors interested in tourism and cultural exchange to explore Thailand's heritage and attractions.

It will feature interactive training workshops to provide attendees with valuable knowledge and experiences in various fields.

Saudi Arabia hosted in late 2022 the Saudi-Thai Business Forum, with the participation of more than 350 senior officials and business leaders from the Kingdom and Thailand.

The Federation of Saudi Chambers organized the event at its Riyadh headquarters. The event was attended by Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Jurin Laksanawisit, who was visiting the Kingdom to discuss prospects for economic cooperation.

At the time, Laksanawisit revealed that his talks with Saudi officials reached positive results regarding signing three important agreements in free trade, facilitating trade procedures, and establishing a joint Saudi-Thai business council.

The official reiterated the importance of Vision 2030 led by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The Thai government and the business sector look forward to actively participating in the projects and investment opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030, said Laksanawisit, adding that Saudi Arabia could be a significant energy supplier to Thailand.

During the event, he called on Saudi business owners to invest in Thailand in various economic sectors and take advantage of the opportunities, the investment environment, and the facilities it provides foreign investors.



Saudi Crown Prince Orders Measures to Balance Riyadh’s Real Estate Market

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Orders Measures to Balance Riyadh’s Real Estate Market

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman has issued directives for a series of comprehensive measures aimed at stabilizing land and rental prices in Riyadh, following an in-depth study by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.

The Crown Prince’s directives are in response to the significant surge in land and rental prices witnessed in recent years. The measures are designed to achieve balance in the real estate sector and increase access to affordable housing.

As part of the initiative, the Crown Prince ordered the lifting of restrictions on land transactions — including sales, purchases, subdivisions, and construction permits — in two key northern areas of Riyadh.

The first spans 17 square kilometers, bounded by King Khalid Road and Prince Mohammed bin Saad Road to the west, Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi Road to the south, Asmaa bint Malik Street to the north, and Al-Arid District to the east.

The second covers 16.2 square kilometers north of King Salman Road, bordered by Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq Road and Al-Arid District to the east, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Road to the north, and Al-Qirawan District to the west.

These areas are in addition to previously released areas totaling 48.28 square kilometers, bringing the total area released for development to 81.48 square kilometers.

The Crown Prince also instructed the Royal Commission for Riyadh City to provide between 10,000 and 40,000 fully planned and developed residential plots annually over the next five years, based on market demand.

These plots will be offered at prices not exceeding SAR1,500 per square meter to eligible Saudi citizens — specifically, married individuals or those aged 25 and above with no previous property ownership.

Conditions include a ten-year restriction on selling, renting, or mortgaging the land — except for loans to build on it. If construction is not completed within the decade, the land will be reclaimed and its value refunded.

Additional measures include the rapid implementation of proposed amendments to the White Land Tax Law within 60 days to enhance real estate supply, and regulatory actions within 90 days to ensure fair and balanced relationships between landlords and tenants.

Finally, the General Real Estate Authority and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City have been tasked with monitoring real estate prices in the capital and submitting regular reports to ensure transparency and market stability.