Saudi Minister of Economy: Accelerating Economic Diversification Is Priority of Vision 2030

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim speaks at the forum. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim speaks at the forum. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Minister of Economy: Accelerating Economic Diversification Is Priority of Vision 2030

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim speaks at the forum. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim speaks at the forum. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim said the Kingdom has reached the halfway point in its journey towards Vision 2030, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

He made his remarks at a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC24) in Dalian, China.

The minister discussed the rapid growth of non-oil activities since implementing the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The minister said: "The Kingdom achieved an economic growth rate of 8.7% in 2022, with non-oil activities contributing 5.6%. Non-oil activities account for 51% of the real gross domestic product, surpassing the oil economy.”

“The Kingdom has reached the halfway point in its journey towards Vision 2030 and will continue to prioritize economic diversification and human capital development,” he stressed.

Furthermore, he highlighted the Kingdom's role in energy security and climate action, stating that it is a major producer of clean hydrocarbon energy and has made significant strides in renewable energy, including green hydrogen, solar, and wind energy.

The minister emphasized the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to address global economic challenges and stressed the importance of international cooperation, innovation, and comprehensive solutions.



Saudi Giga-project Diriyah Agrees Deals Worth $1 bln with European Firms, Says CEO

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
TT

Saudi Giga-project Diriyah Agrees Deals Worth $1 bln with European Firms, Says CEO

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

Diriyah, one of Saudi Arabia's giga-projects, has agreed deals worth nearly $1 billion with European firms and is in talks to attract more foreign capital, its CEO said.

Diriyah, located at a UNESCO World Heritage site outside the capital Riyadh, has been backed by PIF investments worth a total of around 20 billion riyals ($5.33 billion) in 2023 and 2024, and should get 12 billion riyals more next year, its CEO said.

It has recently agreed deals worth nearly $1 billion in total with an Italian developer and a French company and is in talks with several foreign investors looking to buy equity stakes in hotels and other real estate developments, Jerry Inzerillo told Reuters in New York this week.

"There's a lot of interest from America, a lot of interest from every country," he said. "We'll work with any country that can deliver quality and stay on time."

Foreign investors have already bought stakes in several projects in Diriyah, said Inzerillo, with more to come.

"A lot of people can see that it's built, it's doable; it's no longer renderings, no longer 'you wait and see' ... So now we're seeing a big spike in interest in foreign investment".

Inzerillo said investment priorities have changed because of upcoming events such as the Expo 2030 world fair, which Riyadh last year won the right to host. But the pace and scope of the Saudi giga-projects have not been scaled back, he said.

"It's a realignment, a re-prioritization ... not a reduction," he added.