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Investments in Saudi Arabia Double Since Launch of Vision 2030

PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the opening remarks of the PIF Private Sector Forum 2025 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the opening remarks of the PIF Private Sector Forum 2025 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Investments in Saudi Arabia Double Since Launch of Vision 2030

PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the opening remarks of the PIF Private Sector Forum 2025 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the opening remarks of the PIF Private Sector Forum 2025 (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has successfully doubled its investment volume since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, reaching SAR1.2 trillion ($320 billion) by the end of last year, while the Kingdom’s economy has grown to SAR4 trillion.

These figures were revealed by the government at the opening of the third edition of the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) Private Sector Forum, accompanied by an exhibition in Riyadh, attended by a large number of ministers, officials, and leaders from major companies and institutions.

PIF’s private sector hub offers investment opportunities worth SAR40 billion ($10.7 billion), the fund’s Governor has said.

The total spending on local content through the PIF and its portfolio companies reached SAR 400 billion between 2020 and 2023, supported by the Musahama program, Yasir Al-Rumayyan said in the opening remarks of the PIF Private Sector Forum 2025.

He said that the share of local content in the PIF and its portfolio entities increased from 47% to 53% from 2020 to 2023, adding that the fund is working to improve this percentage in the coming years.

The PIF works to provide growth opportunities for the private sector, stimulate its capacity for innovation, and strengthen its role in the economy, Al-Rumayyan said.

“The Private Sector Forum is a platform to enhance opportunities for collaboration and partnership between PIF and its portfolio companies with the local private sector,” said Jerry Todd, head of National Development at PIF.

“In its third edition, the forum continues to grow in size, scope and ambition, reflecting PIF’s efforts to enhance engagement with the private sector, empower it and increase its contribution to a more diversified economy with local supply chains supported by advanced technology.”

The forum will showcase PIF’S initiatives and programs aimed at enhancing partnership with the private sector, including the Local Content Development Program, Musahama, which was launched by PIF in the first edition of the forum.

The program aims to increase the contribution of the Fund and its portfolio companies to local content. As a result of Musahama, the value of local content grew from SAR69 billion in 2020 to SAR153 billion in 2023, a 122% increase.

Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Al-Falih announced that the number of global companies establishing their regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia has risen to nearly 600.

Al-Falih announced this while attending a panel discussion titled “Ministerial perspective on the role of the government to enable the private sector,” held as part of the third edition of the PIF Private Sector Forum in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The minister noted that the number of registered investment licenses surged from 4,000 in 2018 and 2019 to 40,000 currently, while total investments have doubled to SAR1.2 trillion, accounting for 30% of the Saudi economy.

Al-Falih said that economic reforms under Saudi Vision 2030 have enhanced the competitiveness of the local market and attracted major international companies, with the rapid growth in foreign direct investment flows reflecting investor confidence in Saudi Arabia’s economy and stability.

He elaborated on the private sector's role in driving national economic growth since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030 and highlighted significant progress in the investment environment.

The minister emphasized the notable diversification of Saudi Arabia’s economy, where non-oil economic activities now account for 52% of total GDP.

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Business

G7 Trade Talks Target Critical Minerals as US-EU Tariff Rift Strains Unity

(L-R): EU commissioner for trade and economic security Maros Sefcovic, German Economy and Energy Minister Katarina Reiche, British State Secretary in charge of Trade Peter Kyle, US representative for Trade Jamieson Greer, French minister for trade Nicolas Forissier, Canadian state secretary in charge of international trade Maninder Sidhu, Italian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi and Japanese Foreign Affairs delegate Minister Iwao Horii and Japanese Economy and Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa prepare to pose for a group picture during the G7 Trade ministerial meeting in Paris, France, 06 May 2026. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON / POOL
(L-R): EU commissioner for trade and economic security Maros Sefcovic, German Economy and Energy Minister Katarina Reiche, British State Secretary in charge of Trade Peter Kyle, US representative for Trade Jamieson Greer, French minister for trade Nicolas Forissier, Canadian state secretary in charge of international trade Maninder Sidhu, Italian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi and Japanese Foreign Affairs delegate Minister Iwao Horii and Japanese Economy and Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa prepare to pose for a group picture during the G7 Trade ministerial meeting in Paris, France, 06 May 2026. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON / POOL
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G7 Trade Talks Target Critical Minerals as US-EU Tariff Rift Strains Unity

(L-R): EU commissioner for trade and economic security Maros Sefcovic, German Economy and Energy Minister Katarina Reiche, British State Secretary in charge of Trade Peter Kyle, US representative for Trade Jamieson Greer, French minister for trade Nicolas Forissier, Canadian state secretary in charge of international trade Maninder Sidhu, Italian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi and Japanese Foreign Affairs delegate Minister Iwao Horii and Japanese Economy and Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa prepare to pose for a group picture during the G7 Trade ministerial meeting in Paris, France, 06 May 2026. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON / POOL
(L-R): EU commissioner for trade and economic security Maros Sefcovic, German Economy and Energy Minister Katarina Reiche, British State Secretary in charge of Trade Peter Kyle, US representative for Trade Jamieson Greer, French minister for trade Nicolas Forissier, Canadian state secretary in charge of international trade Maninder Sidhu, Italian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi and Japanese Foreign Affairs delegate Minister Iwao Horii and Japanese Economy and Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa prepare to pose for a group picture during the G7 Trade ministerial meeting in Paris, France, 06 May 2026. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON / POOL

Group of Seven trade ministers meeting in Paris on Wednesday sought common ground on securing critical mineral supplies that are dominated by China, but fresh US tariff threats against European Union-made cars risked straining unity.

France wants critical minerals supplies to be among the most concrete deliverables during its G7 presidency as ministers prepare for a leaders' summit in mid-June, Foreign Trade Minister Nicolas Forissier ‌said as ‌he arrived for talks.

"I believe we will ‌make ⁠very concrete progress ⁠on rare earths and critical minerals, securing our supply chains and ensuring we are not held hostage by certain countries," he said.

Officials involved in the discussions said there was broad agreement on the need to reduce reliance on China, but significant differences remained about how to do so, said Reuters.

G7 unity is also being ⁠tested by comments from US President Donald Trump, who ‌said Washington would raise tariffs on ‌EU-made cars to 25% from 15%, arguing that Brussels was ‌not complying with a trade deal that was agreed upon ‌in Turnberry, Scotland, last year.

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said that she was in intensive talks with US officials over the tariffs. Germany's export-dependent automotive sector has already been under strain from weakening demand in China, ‌slower global growth and higher input and labor costs.

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said he and ⁠US Trade Representative ⁠Jamieson Greer had discussed the Turnberry agreement at a meeting in Paris on Tuesday and that he would be heading to the European Parliament, where negotiations on EU legislation related to the trade deal will take place later on Wednesday.

"We both clearly concluded that it's important to respect the deal from Turnberry from both sides, so we have to deliver on what was promised in Scotland," Sefcovic said.

The trade ministers are also expected to discuss industrial overcapacity - China being the main source - and reform of the World Trade Organization, Forissier said.

Business

Gulf Markets Higher as US-Iran Ceasefire Holds

An investor watches a stock screen at the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh (AFP)
An investor watches a stock screen at the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh (AFP)
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Gulf Markets Higher as US-Iran Ceasefire Holds

An investor watches a stock screen at the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh (AFP)
An investor watches a stock screen at the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh (AFP)

Saudi Arabia's ⁠benchmark stock ⁠index rose 0.4% on Wednesday, with most constituents trading in positive territory. Gains were led by information technology, materials and healthcare stocks.

Saudi Arabian Mining Co added 4.5%, while Arabian Mills for Food Products surged 8% after reporting a 32% rise in first-quarter net profit.

US President Donald Trump said he would briefly pause an operation escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that carries about a fifth of global oil supplies and has been blockaded by Iran since late February, triggering a global energy crisis.

So the fragile US-Iran ceasefire held firm despite a fresh flare-up in tensions, allowing investors to turn their attention back to corporate earnings.

Dubai's benchmark stock index rose 1.5%, rebounding from losses in the previous session.

Among individual stocks, blue-chip developer Emaar Properties gained 1.7%, while Dubai's largest lender, Emirates NBD, added 1.5%.

The Abu Dhabi benchmark index advanced 0.5%, with most constituents trading higher. ⁠Gains were led by utilities, healthcare and technology shares.

Presight AI Holding jumped 5%, while Alpha Dhabi climbed 2.3%.

The Qatari benchmark index edged up 0.3%, as most stocks traded higher. Industries Qatar gained 0.7%, while Qatar Fuel Co added 0.6%.

Business

Saudi Non-Oil Private Sector Defies ‘Hormuz Winds’, Regains Growth Momentum

A commercial street in Riyadh (AFP) 
A commercial street in Riyadh (AFP) 
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Saudi Non-Oil Private Sector Defies ‘Hormuz Winds’, Regains Growth Momentum

A commercial street in Riyadh (AFP) 
A commercial street in Riyadh (AFP) 

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector posted a notable positive shift in April 2026, regaining growth momentum despite escalating geopolitical pressures and disruptions to international shipping routes — described as the “winds of Hormuz” — that affected supply chains and market expectations.

The Riyad Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 51.5 points, surpassing the neutral 50-point mark. The recovery reflected companies’ ability to increase output levels in response to an influx of new business and progress on existing projects, despite continuing geopolitical challenges in the region and ongoing global supply chain disruptions that continued to weigh on customer spending decisions.

In this context, Riyad Bank Chief Economist Naif Alghaith said the results confirmed that the non-oil sector remained on a constructive and resilient trajectory, supporting the strategic goals of economic diversification under Saudi Vision 2030.

He added that the return of the index to expansion territory demonstrated that underlying business conditions remained fundamentally strong, with domestic demand and purchasing power offsetting the noticeable weakness in export orders. This, he noted, highlighted the growing importance of the Kingdom’s domestic economic engine in reducing reliance on external cycles.

Operationally, April saw a rapid and unprecedented increase in cost burdens, with input prices rising at the fastest pace since the survey began in August 2009. Sharp increases in raw material prices, shipping costs and logistics expenses resulting from regional disruptions pushed companies to implement near-record increases in selling prices in an effort to pass costs on to customers.

Alghaith said supply chain dynamics remained a key area of focus, particularly as delivery times continued to lengthen, prompting companies to adopt proactive behavior by increasing inventories as a precautionary measure to ensure business continuity.

Although the pace of overall business expansion remained slow by historical standards due to investor and customer caution surrounding the conflict in the Middle East, future expectations remained optimistic. The survey showed an improvement in business confidence regarding activity over the next 12 months, driven by long-term expansion prospects and major domestic infrastructure projects.

Alghaith said the Kingdom’s stable and robust economic fundamentals positioned it strongly to sustain long-term growth and stability, adding that optimism and strong domestic demand continued to reinforce confidence in Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation path.

For his part, Osama bin Ghanem Al-Obaidy, adviser and professor of commercial law, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the rise in the Purchasing Managers’ Index reflected the ability of Saudi companies to deal with the Strait of Hormuz crisis and its repercussions on the economy and global supply chains.

He said the improvement was driven by increased domestic demand, national economic diversification programs, Vision 2030 projects and infrastructure development, as well as stronger purchasing activity, reflecting the growing positive momentum of the Kingdom’s non-oil economic activities.

Al-Obaidy added that the improvement came despite mounting cost pressures resulting from higher raw material prices, transportation costs and rising wages.