Saudi Private Sector Abroad: New Database in the Works

The Saudi government provides all facilitations for expanding national companies abroad (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi government provides all facilitations for expanding national companies abroad (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Private Sector Abroad: New Database in the Works

The Saudi government provides all facilitations for expanding national companies abroad (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi government provides all facilitations for expanding national companies abroad (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Ministry of Investment is currently compiling information on foreign investments by private companies and creating a database for investment data in the Kingdom.

This initiative aims to be a central platform for relevant information.

All Saudi companies are urged to provide data on their foreign investments to support Saudi investors and enhance national investments globally.

The Ministry, responsible for regulating local and foreign investment, encourages private sector participation in shaping future policies and identifying opportunities to strengthen the Kingdom's global economic standing.

The collected data will be used for research and policy-making, guiding the nation's foreign investments for greater success.

The Ministry requests information on the invested country, city, sector, investment value, partnership details, and feedback on foreign investment from the private sector.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is actively expanding its investment portfolio locally and globally, aiming for significant financial returns to benefit the Kingdom.

In October 2022, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the establishment of five regional companies targeting investments in Jordan, Bahrain, Sudan, Iraq, and Oman.

The Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry is developing Saudi-Foreign Business Councils, increasing their number to 70 and enhancing trade and investment relations with over 124 countries.

Hassan Al-Huwaizi, the Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said that this initiative aims to activate the role of these councils in achieving the goals of Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, “Vision 2030.”

The expansion project involves quarterly meetings, attracting major companies and investors, increasing the representation of women, entrepreneurs, and small to medium-sized enterprises in council memberships, along with enhancing financial resources and providing technical, logistical, informational, and human support.

It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia’s Investment Ministry issued over 2,100 investment licenses in Q3 2023, reflecting the Kingdom’s attractiveness for investment with a stable business environment.



EU Says it Agreed with UAE to Launch Free Trade Talks

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen looks on in Brussels, Belgium, 10 April 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen looks on in Brussels, Belgium, 10 April 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
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EU Says it Agreed with UAE to Launch Free Trade Talks

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen looks on in Brussels, Belgium, 10 April 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen looks on in Brussels, Belgium, 10 April 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS

The European Union said on Thursday it agreed with the United Arab Emirates to launch free trade talks, amid the upheaval and uncertainties created by US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs. He has since walked back some of the tariffs.

“Today, (the European Commission) President von der Leyen held a cordial phone call with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. During their discussion, they agreed to launch negotiations on a free trade agreement,” the EU said in a statement, according to Reuters.

The talks will focus on trade in goods, services, investment and deepening cooperation in strategic sectors including renewable energy, green hydrogen and critical raw materials, the EU said.

The UAE's president said the decision to initiate negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU reflects a shared determination to unlock the full potential of cooperation and advance their economic, trade, and investment ties in support of development aims.

“The CEPA would create new avenues for cooperation between the UAE and EU, increase trade and investment flows, and strengthen partnerships between the business communities of both sides,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on his X account.

He emphasized that UAE-EU relations are founded on a common vision of stability, growth, and prosperity.

By reducing tariffs and unnecessary trade barriers and improving market access for goods and services, the pact is expected to foster opportunities in key sectors including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and artificial intelligence, UAE's state news agency (WAM) said.

The EU is the UAE's second-largest trading partner, accounting for 8.3% of the Emirati total non-oil trade. The wealthy Gulf state is also the EU’s largest export destination and investment partner in the Middle East and North Africa, WAM added on Thursday.