Saudi Arabia to Host World Investment Conference on November 25-27

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia to Host World Investment Conference on November 25-27

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) and Invest Saudi will hold the 28th annual World Investment Conference (WIC) in Riyadh from November 25 to 27.

The event will gather global leaders in investment, government, and international organizations to tackle the theme “Harnessing Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth: Scaling Investment Opportunities”.

On the occasion, Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said: “Under the wise leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salaman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed, the Kingdom, driven by its ambitious Vision 2030, has become a premier world investment destination and is experiencing unprecedented growth in overall investment amounts and diversity.”

This year’s World Investment Conference in Riyadh “will be a platform for sharing our nation’s strategic vision with our partners, and an invaluable opportunity to highlight our status as a trusted partner for sustainable economic growth,” he added.

“We look forward to welcoming investment leaders from around the world to forge partnerships that will benefit both the Kingdom and global economies,” he stressed.

Vision 2030 has driven significant economic reforms in Saudi Arabia, attracting substantial foreign investment. Over 28,900 foreign investment licenses have been issued, reflecting the Kingdom's transformation into a major global investment hub.

Key factors contributing to this growth include 100% foreign ownership in specific sectors, streamlined commercial register procedures, simplified visa issuance, and other investor-friendly initiatives that have created a favorable and appealing environment for investors in various sectors, including renewable energy, logistics services, and AI.

The Kingdom's attractive investment landscape has also facilitated the development of a dynamic economy that leads in innovation and growth.

WAIPA Executive Director and CEO Ismail Ersahin said: “WAIPA is excited to bring the 28th WIC to Riyadh, a city that perfectly embodies the future of investment. The conference will provide a crucial platform for Investment Promotion Agencies and investors to discuss emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”

“We deeply appreciate Saudi Arabia’s vision and leadership, which will ensure that this edition of WIC is an impactful gathering for all participants,” he remarked.

Key highlights of this year’s WIC are a range of conference tracks, such as high-level dialogues with government ministers, insightful sessions on technology, sustainability, and economic cooperation, as well as practical masterclasses for investment professionals, a dedicated entrepreneurship track that will emphasize the transformative role of startups and innovators, and exclusive matchmaking sessions that will facilitate strategic partnerships between investors, SMEs, and potential collaborators.

Participants will also have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Investment Promotion Agencies on the Awards Track, honoring innovation and excellence in investment facilitation.

This year’s WIC promises to be a pivotal forum as it aligns with global investment drivers: the disruptive influence of technology and AI, global supply chain resilience, energy transition toward sustainability, and the transformative role of entrepreneurs and startups in reshaping investment landscapes traditionally led by multinational corporations.

Leaders and stakeholders will discuss and explore how these factors are redefining economies and driving forward-looking investment models worldwide.

With its focus on scaling investment opportunities, WIC is designed to equip attendees with the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary to drive meaningful economic impact.



Saudi EXIM Hosts Global Risk Experts Meeting in Riyadh

The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
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Saudi EXIM Hosts Global Risk Experts Meeting in Riyadh

The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA

The Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) hosted the Berne Union's Country Risk Specialist Meeting, providing a platform for experts and thought leaders in risk management from the export credit community.
At the meeting, which took place from November 19 to 21 in Riyadh, the attendees exchanged best practices to better protect the industry amid shifting global dynamics.
According to a statement issued by the Saudi EXIM on Saturday, the event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions.
By strengthening institutional resilience, the industry is ready to turn global economic challenges into opportunities for economic prosperity, said the statement, adding that it played a crucial role in advancing global trade, strengthening international cooperation, and developing credit solutions that empower export activities while controlling risk, SPA reported.
According to the statement, discussions centered on critical risks impacting international trade and the global economy, such as debt sustainability and geopolitical tensions, along with innovative approaches to risk modelling. Participants also explored the global shifts in infrastructure, energy and critical minerals sectors, and were given an overview of Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Strategy, which focuses on economic diversification through investments, developing new sectors, and promoting local industries.
In his opening remarks, Saudi EXIM CEO Eng. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalb said the meeting is an ideal platform to address risks impacting global economic decision making.
He stated: "Through such meetings, we can turn challenges into strategic opportunities and enhance our resilience in an ever-changing world. At Saudi EXIM, we remain committed to enabling companies by offering expert financial and non-financial solutions to navigate risks effectively."
He also said that "at Saudi EXIM, we place great emphasis on risk management. In alignment with the main objective of this meeting, I am pleased to announce the completion of our independent country risk model, which is supported by advanced modelling tools and machine learning. This model will provide country ratings and predictions of default risks. We look forward to collaborating with our partners in other export credit agencies to exchange knowledge and expertise, and to strengthening our risk management functions with greater responsibility and effectiveness."
Associate Director at Berne Union Eve Hall said: "The global risk landscape today is highly volatile and highly interconnected. As we navigate our way around the ongoing transformations connected to energy transition and shifting industrial strategies, the traditional concept of 'country risk' is becoming increasingly complex. Our industry excels at understanding, quantifying and pricing these risks, and by bringing together this community of experts for technical exchange the Berne Union is able to help support the development of the industry as a whole. The initiatives announced by our colleagues at Saudi EXIM, making use of new technology in risk analysis, provide a fantastic example of where collaboration in this field can be effectively applied."
The statement disclosed that Saudi EXIM's membership in Berne represents a significant strategic step, and is consistent with the Kingdom's commitment to expanding collaboration and integration in the global economy.
This is achieved by building partnerships with leading institutions to address the challenges facing the export credit sector. It also aligns with the bank's goal of developing the export of national products and services through partnerships with national and international financial and funding organizations.
Berne Union works with global trade organizations to encourage the adoption of best practices in export credit insurance, and to cooperate in maintaining the stability of global trade.
Saudi EXIM, a development bank under the National Development Fund, contributes to diversifying the Kingdom's economic base by improving the efficiency of non-oil export ecosystems, bridging financial gaps, and minimizing export risks. This plays a role in helping the non-oil national economy grow, in line with Vision 2030.