Real Estate Market Creates Positive Momentum in Saudi Market

Real estate in Makkah, western Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Real estate in Makkah, western Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Real Estate Market Creates Positive Momentum in Saudi Market

Real estate in Makkah, western Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Real estate in Makkah, western Saudi Arabia (SPA)

In its first year, the Saudi real estate exchange recorded approximately 619,000 real estate transactions valued at over $273 billion (SAR 1.025 trillion), covering a total area of more than 5.4 billion square meters. Around 2.1 million beneficiaries have taken advantage of these transactions, according to the Saudi Ministry of Justice.

Real estate experts told Asharq Al-Awsat that the real estate exchange has had a positive impact on the behavior of all market participants.

The market has allowed buyers and investors to make purchase decisions with greater confidence, security, and speed. The exchange has also played a key role in simplifying and streamlining real estate procedures and enhancing transparency, which constituted major challenges in the past.

The experts recommended further steps to boost its effectiveness, including providing detailed and specialized real estate indicators, offering accurate analytical reports on market trends throughout the year, expanding property evaluations to cover all regions of the Kingdom, and leveraging artificial intelligence technologies to analyze real estate data.

Real Estate Expert Eng. Ahmed Al-Faqih told Asharq Al-Awsat that the real estate exchange has created a positive shift and significant impact on the behavior of all market participants, including sellers, buyers, investors, regulators, and market observers. He noted that the platform is characterized by transparency and governance, and its launch coincided with the digital transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia.

Regarding the additional services proposed for the market, Al-Faqih said he believes it lacks detailed and specialized real estate indicators. He also noted that the platform still needs property classifications for certain types of real estate and improvements in search filters to provide more precise results.

For his part, Real estate expert Saqr Al-Zahrani told Asharq Al-Awsat that the real estate exchange has brought a significant transformation in the management of real estate during its first year of operation.

It has had a clear positive impact on the market by streamlining procedures and enhancing transparency, he underlined, noting that the exchange has allowed both buyers and investors to make decisions with greater confidence.

Al-Zahrani suggested enhancing the exchange by adding more services, including providing detailed analytical reports on market trends throughout the year. He also recommended expanding property evaluations to cover all regions of the Kingdom more comprehensively and accurately.



Saudi PIF Expands Investment Portfolio in Transport, Logistic Services

Riyadh Air is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh Air is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi PIF Expands Investment Portfolio in Transport, Logistic Services

Riyadh Air is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh Air is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is actively diversifying its investments across promising sectors and is strategically leveraging the Kingdom’s central location at the crossroads of three continents to establish itself as a global logistics hub.

The PIF is notably expanding its investment in transportation and logistics services, with recent efforts including exploratory discussions to acquire cargo planes from Boeing and Airbus, aiming to launch a new air freight company, according to Bloomberg.

Currently, the PIF’s investments in transportation and logistics are distributed among seven companies, all working diligently to support the Kingdom’s vision and achieve the national strategy for transport and logistics services. This strategy encompasses a range of major projects designed to meet both economic and social objectives.

PIF launched Riyadh Air last year as a new airline. Operating to global standards, the company aims to lead the industry by connecting travelers to over one hundred international destinations worldwide by 2030, offering exceptional service combined with authentic Saudi hospitality.

Riyadh Air recently secured numerous agreements and strategic partnerships with major industry players and finalized deals for acquiring a fleet of aircraft. These preparations are setting the stage for a strong launch of operations, scheduled to begin in 2025.

Rental services

In 2022, PIF launched AviLease, a company specializing in full-service commercial aircraft leasing. AviLease is committed to providing tailored solutions for partners through top-tier leasing, trading, and asset management services.

Since its inception, the company has seen significant growth with its advanced fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft and follows a disciplined investment strategy that balances strong financial performance with a sustainable positive impact on the national level.

Helicopters

The establishment of the Helicopter Company was aimed at addressing the increasing demand in the Kingdom for luxury tourism and air transportation services. This initiative aligns with PIF’s strategy to maximize sustainable returns and develop new sectors.

The company supports the efforts to achieve Vision 2030 and boost the tourism sector. It is also the first local operator of commercial helicopters in Saudi Arabia.

Land transport

The PIF also invests in the Saudi Public Transport Company SAPTCO, which was established in 1979. It is a land carrier that owns a fleet of over 8,000 vehicles of various types and specifications, equipped with the latest technology and vehicle tracking systems.

SAPTCO transports around 60 million passengers annually to various regions and countries and has achieved many accomplishments in the domestic and international transport sectors.

Marine vessels

In maritime services, the PIF holds a 22.55% stake in the Saudi National Shipping Company, Bahri, a global leader in logistics services and one of the prominent major shipping companies.

Bahri boasts a massive fleet of modern ships designed to the highest standards, enabling it to serve over 150 ports worldwide, establish a customer base both within and outside the Kingdom, and achieve a broad reputation for quality, reliability, and safety.

Cruise Saudi

The Saudi PIF has also ventured into the cruise market by launching Cruise Saudi, which is headquartered in Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast. The company aims to develop the necessary infrastructure and services to expand this market, in line with Vision 2030.