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As FII Ends, Riyadh Emerges as Global Lab Steering the Economy

Public Investment Fund (PIF) Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan speaks during his opening address at the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Public Investment Fund (PIF) Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan speaks during his opening address at the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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As FII Ends, Riyadh Emerges as Global Lab Steering the Economy

Public Investment Fund (PIF) Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan speaks during his opening address at the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Public Investment Fund (PIF) Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan speaks during his opening address at the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The 2025 Future Investment Initiative (FII) wrapped up in Riyadh with a global consensus taking shape: Saudi Arabia has moved beyond the role of host to become a driving force redefining the very concept of economic summits.

Over three intensive days, the Saudi capital did more than welcome thousands of leaders, investors and decision-makers, it transformed into a global command center for finance, gathering some of the world’s most influential investment minds under one roof.

The event’s atmosphere became a living model of how global wealth flows and takes shape, a scene usually reserved for capitals that set and steer the world’s economic future.

With more than 9,000 international participants attending this ninth edition, the scale of engagement underscored the conference’s unprecedented strength. The halls transcended their role as venues for official sessions, evolving into a live “laboratory” for reshaping and liberating the global economy.

The power of side discussions

The true value of FII extended beyond its main stages to the sidelines, where candid, high-level exchanges proved equally vital. In moments of frank, in-depth dialogue, barriers of competition among industry giants dissolved.

Within this rare “knowledge fusion,” months of research and market analysis were distilled into direct exchanges between major investors and financial leaders.

These visionary conversations covered crucial themes from market performance, interest rate forecasts and inflation, to the Federal Reserve’s independence and its impact on Wall Street, as well as the implications of complex tariff policies.

More significantly, there was a strong focus on artificial intelligence and how it is redefining investment decisions, offering asset managers a “true mirror” to assess their strategies amid a collective outlook shaped by global leaders.

This is the inherent strength of FII: its ability to turn individual perspectives into strategic consensus, where every opinion voiced carries real influence over massive portfolios and contributes to shaping regional and global capital flows.

Saudi Arabia as an investment benchmark

The gathering succeeded in rising above geopolitical and economic complexities, positioning itself as a compass directing global capital toward the most ambitious and profitable opportunities.

Its success was most evident in its ability to translate promises into immediate deals and strategic partnerships, by creating an ideal environment for swift and effective investment decisions.

This momentum was reflected in the overwhelming demand for investment in Saudi Arabia, a sentiment shared by global financial heavyweights.

Public Investment Fund (PIF) Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan described this success as “a global benchmark for a national vision” that has opened doors to opportunities spanning generations.

He summed up the transformation in a powerful phrase: “Saudi Arabia no longer presents itself to the world - the world now comes to it,” citing the Kingdom’s hosting of major global events such as the Future Investment Initiative, Expo 2030, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Investing in technological sovereignty

Artificial intelligence dominated this year’s FII agenda, underscoring that Saudi Arabia is not only positioning itself as a financial hub but also as a global power in technology and innovation.

Discussions moved beyond potential to action, with the announcement of major investment commitments aimed at achieving technological sovereignty.

One highlight was the unveiling of a strategic plan to deploy up to 400,000 AI chips in Saudi Arabia by 2030, an investment designed to build the computing capacity needed to fuel the Kingdom’s AI revolution.

A landmark partnership was announced between Humain, a PIF portfolio company, and Qualcomm Technologies of the United States, to establish an advanced AI infrastructure in the Kingdom.

In a move signaling the sector’s strategic weight, Saudi Aramco and the Public Investment Fund agreed on acquiring a significant stake in Humain, with Aramco reaffirming AI’s critical role in its future operations.

This deep focus reflects a shared conviction among Saudi leaders that AI infrastructure is the “key to prosperity,” the bridge connecting ambitious visions to tangible economic realities. The Kingdom is betting that artificial intelligence will spark transformative change across all sectors.

So, the Future Investment Initiative has evolved beyond an annual event. It has become a global arena for anyone seeking to take part in shaping the future of investment worldwide.

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Business

Gold Holds Steady, Eyes Fourth Weekly Gain on US-Iran Peace Deal Hopes

Samples of gold displayed in a program affiliated with the Brazilian Federal Police specializing in tracking gold in Brasilia (Reuters)
Samples of gold displayed in a program affiliated with the Brazilian Federal Police specializing in tracking gold in Brasilia (Reuters)
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Gold Holds Steady, Eyes Fourth Weekly Gain on US-Iran Peace Deal Hopes

Samples of gold displayed in a program affiliated with the Brazilian Federal Police specializing in tracking gold in Brasilia (Reuters)
Samples of gold displayed in a program affiliated with the Brazilian Federal Police specializing in tracking gold in Brasilia (Reuters)

Gold held largely steady on Friday and was on track for a fourth straight weekly gain, as hopes for a US-Iran peace deal eased fears of higher inflation and elevated interest rates.

Spot gold eased 0.1% to $4,784.72 per ounce by 0646 GMT, but was up about 1% so far this week. US gold futures for June fell 0.1% to $4,805.20.

A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and ‌Israel went ‌into effect on Thursday and US President Donald ‌Trump ⁠said the next meeting between ⁠the United States and Iran may take place over the weekend.

"Investors are now watching closely for concrete progress in US-Iran negotiations. Any progress or extension of the current fragile ceasefire could further calm oil markets and inflation fears, potentially unlocking more upside for gold," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

The US dollar was headed ⁠for a second weekly drop, making greenback-denominated commodities ‌more affordable for holders of other currencies, Reuters said.

Oil ‌prices fell, easing fears of higher inflation on optimism that the Iran ‌war could be nearing an end.

Concerns that higher energy prices ‌could stoke inflation and keep global interest rates higher for longer have driven down gold prices by more than 8% since the Iran war began in late February.

While gold is considered an inflation hedge, higher interest rates crimp ‌demand for the non-yielding asset.

Traders now see a 27% chance of a 25-basis-point Federal Reserve interest ⁠rate cut in ⁠December. Before the war, there were expectations of two reductions for this year.

Meanwhile, Indian banks have halted gold and silver import orders from overseas suppliers, with tons of the metals stuck at customs as a formal government order has not been issued authorizing bullion imports.

Gold demand in India was modest this week, as high domestic prices weighed on retail purchases ahead of the key Akshaya Tritiya festival weekend, while premiums in China held steady.

Spot silver rose 0.3% to $78.61 per ounce, and was headed for a fourth straight weekly gain.

Platinum fell 0.3% to $2,079.24 and palladium was down 0.5% at $1,542.50. Both the metals were on track for a third straight weekly gain.

Business

IMF: Middle East Faces Pivotal Economic Moment

Azour speaks during a presentation of the Regional Economic Outlook update (AFP)
Azour speaks during a presentation of the Regional Economic Outlook update (AFP)
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IMF: Middle East Faces Pivotal Economic Moment

Azour speaks during a presentation of the Regional Economic Outlook update (AFP)
Azour speaks during a presentation of the Regional Economic Outlook update (AFP)

The International Monetary Fund said the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan were facing a pivotal and exceptionally difficult moment in their modern economic history after the war that broke out on Feb. 28, 2026, describing it as a severe and multifaceted shock to one of the world’s most strategically important economic corridors.

The IMF said the conflict was not merely a border crisis but had disrupted “three pillars of stability, energy markets, trade routes, and business confidence,” triggering a global energy shock and weakening supply chains.

Amid these challenges, Saudi Arabia’s economy emerged as a model of resilience, showing what the IMF described as “exceptional sturdiness” that enabled it to absorb the impact of disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz and a decline in regional output, supported by the pillars of Vision 2030, which strengthened fiscal discipline and logistical flexibility.

Jihad Azour, director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, said while presenting an update of the Regional Economic Outlook in Washington, on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, that the war was reshaping the region’s economic outlook.

At the center of the shock was energy, he said, noting that the Strait of Hormuz, “the world’s most critical energy chokepoint, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply and about one-quarter of global LNG trade normally transit,” had come close to a standstill.

He said disruptions and shutdowns had cut oil and gas output across Gulf Cooperation Council countries, pushing Brent crude above $100 a barrel, while “European gas prices rose by roughly 60 percent, exceeding the spike observed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” putting global energy security at risk.

He said energy disruptions caused by the war would weigh heavily on Gulf exporters, while oil-importing countries such as Egypt and Jordan were facing higher commodity prices and weaker remittance flows.

More broadly, the Middle East and North Africa region is expected to see a marked slowdown in growth this year, with real GDP projected at about 1.1%, significantly below pre-war forecasts, before a recovery in 2027, according to the IMF.

Azour said the shock extended beyond oil and gas, noting that “commodity disruptions extend beyond oil and gas,” affecting fertilizers, chemicals, and other products in which the region holds a strategic position.

He warned that rising food costs were directly threatening vulnerable populations, saying that “these price increases translate directly into higher food costs for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations,” particularly in import-dependent economies across the region and beyond.

He added that the conflict had also affected services, saying, “air traffic collapsed at major Gulf hubs, maritime insurance premiums surged, shipping routes lengthened, and logistics chains weakened,” highlighting the broad impact on aviation and logistics.

The IMF said some oil-importing economies in the region relied heavily on Gulf countries for energy imports and financial flows, leaving them exposed if the conflict intensified or persisted.

Saudi experience

Azour said one of the most important lessons from the war and the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz was the need to diversify trade routes.

“This shock underscores the importance of building greater resilience and strengthening integration,” he said, adding that this includes “diversifying trade routes and deepening regional cooperation,” to ensure the continued flow of goods and energy.

He said Saudi Arabia’s approach under its strategic vision went beyond infrastructure development to a broader reshaping of logistics networks. By expanding alternative ports on the Red Sea and strengthening land and rail connectivity, the kingdom reduced its reliance on a single maritime chokepoint.

He said this ability to create parallel trade routes allowed Saudi trade to continue effectively despite disruptions to regional corridors, offering a model for protecting economic security and ensuring uninterrupted supply flows.

Egypt

Azour said economic reforms implemented by Egypt, along with stronger policy buffers, were helping the country better manage external shocks.

He said allowing the exchange rate to become more flexible helped absorb shocks, while higher reserves provided reassurance to markets.

Regional divergence

The IMF report highlighted a sharp divergence across countries. Qatar faced a steep downgrade to growth forecasts due to damage to its gas infrastructure, while Oman showed relative resilience given its geographic position outside the Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, financing pressures increased on Egypt, Pakistan, and Jordan as sovereign spreads widened, prompting Azour to stress that the IMF stood ready to support countries.

He said that if oil production recovered and the Strait of Hormuz fully reopened, countries would be able to increase output quickly, adding that higher oil prices compared with pre-2026 levels would help producers recover some of their losses from the crisis.

Business

Pakistan Central Bank Receives $2 billion from Saudi Arabia as Part of Broader Financial Support Package

Mohammed Al-Jadaan and Muhammad Aurangzeb following the agreement for Saudi Arabia to provide an additional $3 billion in support to Pakistan (X).
Mohammed Al-Jadaan and Muhammad Aurangzeb following the agreement for Saudi Arabia to provide an additional $3 billion in support to Pakistan (X).
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Pakistan Central Bank Receives $2 billion from Saudi Arabia as Part of Broader Financial Support Package

Mohammed Al-Jadaan and Muhammad Aurangzeb following the agreement for Saudi Arabia to provide an additional $3 billion in support to Pakistan (X).
Mohammed Al-Jadaan and Muhammad Aurangzeb following the agreement for Saudi Arabia to provide an additional $3 billion in support to Pakistan (X).

Pakistan announced that it has received $2 billion from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Finance as part of a broader financial support package.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, said that Saudi Arabia had committed to depositing an additional $3 billion, while extending an existing $5 billion loan for three years instead of renewing it annually.

This support comes as Pakistan faces repayment of $3.5 billion to the United Arab Emirates, putting pressure on its reserves, which stand at about $16.4 billion.

Saudi Arabia has a history of assisting Pakistan during economic crises, including a $6 billion support package in 2018 that included deposits and deferred oil payments.