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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

Official: Iraq Has Not Yet Applied for an IMF Loan

A floating oil export platform in Basra port, Iraq (Reuters)
A floating oil export platform in Basra port, Iraq (Reuters)
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Official: Iraq Has Not Yet Applied for an IMF Loan

A floating oil export platform in Basra port, Iraq (Reuters)
A floating oil export platform in Basra port, Iraq (Reuters)

Financial Advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister Mazhar Mohammed Saleh revealed on Saturday that Iraq has not yet submitted a formal request for a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Iraqi News Agency quoted Saleh as saying that “Iraq enjoys close relations with the IMF, and since 2003, it has concluded more than five agreements, three of which were Stand-by Arrangements, while the other agreements related to emergency support.”

Iran's war has caused significant disruptions in supply chains, especially in the energy sector, which was severely affected by a near-complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of global oil supplies pass.

Saleh stated that “the Fund has played a significant role in supporting the Iraqi economy over the past 23 years, especially since Iraq is now considered one of the biggest victims of the ongoing war in the region, considering that 85 percent of its oil exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This has caused significant harm and international concern, given that Iraq is an important and active member in the stability of the region and world markets.”

He pointed out that there is an Iraqi government team in contact with the IMF, meeting with Fund officials for consultations twice a year.

He clarified that “Iraq signed an agreement with the IMF on July 7, 2016, for a Stand-by Arrangement by providing a significant loan, which played a major role in supporting the general budget,” noting that “signing an agreement with the Fund is a matter decided by the Iraqi government, and this does not prevent consultations between the two parties, as Iraq is a member of this institution responsible for global stability.”

Saleh mentioned that “Iraq will borrow from the International Monetary Fund if the need arises, but there is no formal request from the government yet, and the current need is for the war in the region to stop, and for its geopolitical impacts on oil exports to cease.”

He added that “technical assistance from the IMF is available now, unlike the issue of financing, which requires the approval of a program by the Iraqi government.”

He explained that “the loan itself represents a reform program to support the budget or to achieve social goals, such as supporting the health and education sectors, because it is a human investment that must be subject to conditions defining expenditure directions and commitment to a reform program agreed upon by the Iraqi state and the IMF.”

Business

Mawani Adds CMA CGM’s Ocean Rise Express Service to Jeddah Port

Mawani Adds CMA CGM’s Ocean Rise Express Service to Jeddah Port
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Mawani Adds CMA CGM’s Ocean Rise Express Service to Jeddah Port

Mawani Adds CMA CGM’s Ocean Rise Express Service to Jeddah Port

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has added CMA CGM's Ocean Rise Express (OCR) shipping service to Jeddah Islamic Port, aiming to strengthen maritime connectivity between Saudi Arabia and global markets, support the smooth flow of supply chains, and increase the efficiency of port operations.

The OCR service will connect Jeddah to key international ports, including Kobe, Nagoya, and Yokohama in Japan; Xiamen, Yantian, and Nansha in China; Rotterdam in the Netherlands; Hamburg in Germany; and Southampton in the United Kingdom.

The route will utilize vessels with a capacity of up to 10,000 TEUs, according to SPA.

This addition aligns with Mawani’s efforts to enhance Jeddah Islamic Port’s global competitiveness and support international trade.

By enabling access to new markets, the initiative reinforces the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.

Business

Lebanon's Financial Battles Persist Despite War Priorities

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with a delegation from the Association of Banks in Lebanon (Lebanese Presidency)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with a delegation from the Association of Banks in Lebanon (Lebanese Presidency)
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Lebanon's Financial Battles Persist Despite War Priorities

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with a delegation from the Association of Banks in Lebanon (Lebanese Presidency)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with a delegation from the Association of Banks in Lebanon (Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanon's unresolved financial and monetary issues continue to generate new and pressing obligations for the executive, legislative and monetary authorities. Although they have been partially overshadowed by the storm of war and its devastating human, reconstruction and social consequences, these issues remain high on both the political and economic agenda.

As the government's economic team works on amendments to the draft financial-gap law, including discussions over reservations raised by the central bank, newly proposed changes to the banking reform law, submitted by the government to parliament this month, have reignited the ongoing disputes within Lebanon's financial sector.

These disputes remain centered on the rescue plan and the treatment of structural crises that have persisted into their seventh consecutive year, most notably reflected in the repeated failure to meet reform commitments required to secure a financing agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat from a financial official, wartime developments and their repercussions have effectively granted Lebanon additional time, at least until the autumn meetings of international financial institutions, to complete legislation forming the roadmap for restoring financial stability and recovering deposits.

This includes the sought-after reforms of the banking sector, alongside compliance with anti-money laundering requirements, particularly measures aimed at curbing the informal economy, shutting down channels used for illicit financial flows, and addressing excessive cash circulation through enhanced source-to-beneficiary verification requirements.

A notable development is expected to influence future deliberations in parliamentary committees and the legislature's general assembly. In an updated report, the IMF classified the crisis affecting Lebanon's banking sector as a "systemic crisis," placing it alongside similar crises experienced by 13 countries worldwide over the past decade, from Angola in 2015 to Vietnam in 2022. This classification is expected to help align Lebanon's reform measures and responsibilities with international standards and draw on rescue plans implemented in comparable cases.

According to the financial official, the IMF's classification could help settle long-running domestic disputes that have prolonged the failure to adopt a comprehensive plan for exiting the financial and monetary crisis and containing its social and economic consequences. Such a plan remains the only viable pathway to restoring confidence in the financial sector and returning gradually to economic recovery, particularly after the enormous reconstruction and economic losses caused by successive destructive wars, estimated to exceed $20 billion at a minimum.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with Central Bank of Lebanon Governor Karim Souaid on May 7. (Lebanese Presidency)

Systemic Crisis and Financial Sector Restructuring

The official added that this approach takes on added importance amid discussions surrounding the restructuring of the financial sector, particularly the draft law on restoring financial order and recovering deposits submitted by the government to parliament.

"The recognition of the systemic nature of the crisis requires reconsidering some of the proposals currently on the table in a way that ensures a fairer distribution of responsibilities and burdens among all parties concerned, rather than reducing what happened to a narrow framework and placing the full cost of the collapse on depositors and banks," the official said.

This international reassessment is consistent with an opinion issued by Lebanon's State Council more than two years ago, which concluded that Lebanon was not facing an ordinary banking crisis but rather a systemic one, assigning primary responsibility for the financial crisis to the state because of its reliance on borrowing from the central bank to finance budget deficits.

Banks Ready to Shoulder Responsibilities

The issue resurfaced during a meeting between President Joseph Aoun and the board of the Association of Banks in Lebanon, headed by Salim Sfeir. The association conveyed the banking sector's readiness to assume its responsibilities and participate in absorbing losses, provided that reform does not amount to liquidation and that restructuring does not unfairly burden both banks and depositors. It stressed the need for a fair allocation of responsibilities and costs while safeguarding depositors' rights and preserving the sector's viability.

Aoun emphasized "the importance of reaching a fair and comprehensive solution to the banking crisis that satisfies all parties and preserves rights equally."

He stressed the importance of reform without destroying or undermining the sector, adding that "it is the state's duty to stand by the banking sector, reform it and restructure it in order to safeguard the economy and guarantee depositors' rights."

He further noted that "without a sound banking sector, there will be no investment, and there will be no country."

A general view of Beirut, Lebanon. (Reuters/File Photo)

Central Bank Governor Voices Reservations

Earlier, Central Bank Governor Karim Souaid openly expressed reservations about key provisions in the government's proposal, stating that "the draft requires further clarification and strengthening regarding the state's obligations. Since the state is ultimately the entity that used these funds over many years, its contribution must be explicitly defined, measurable, legally binding, and linked to a clear and credible timetable."

In several remarks, Souaid highlighted the challenge of distributing financial burdens and responsibilities among the state, the central bank and commercial banks. He additionally stressed the need to reduce the fiscal deficit by eliminating irregular claims, categorizing deposits into clearly defined groups, and carrying out repayments through a combination of cash payments and asset-backed financial instruments in phases and within available liquidity limits.

Banks continue to insist on their right to participate in discussions that will determine their future. They have outlined an approach that seeks to balance depositor protection with the sector's continued viability. In a memorandum submitted to officials, they argued that "instead of ensuring a fair distribution of responsibilities, the draft law submitted to parliament exempts the state, which bears primary responsibility for the financial gap, from making any clear contribution toward losses. Moreover, the proposal harms both the banking sector and depositors alike."

For instance, the draft law, despite objections from the monetary authorities, requires the removal of impaired assets, meaning assets deemed unrecoverable for depositors, and proposes deducting them from deposits without returning them to their owners. At the same time, banks would be required to absorb their value as losses. In practice, this would impose losses on both depositors and banks, pushing banks toward liquidation rather than enabling them to repay deposits.

Consequently, if banks are burdened with obligations that exceed their responsibilities and capacities, the outcome will be clear: the liquidation of the majority of banks.

The financial official noted that international experience shows that systemic crises, regardless of their severity, can become a starting point for rebuilding stronger and more modern financial systems when political will and serious reforms are present. The current period therefore represents an opportunity to redesign a new economic and financial model that can restore Lebanon's regional financial role and rebuild confidence both domestically and internationally.

In this context, the official said, it is essential to adopt a balanced and inclusive approach that rebuilds confidence in the financial and banking sectors while safeguarding the rights of depositors and investors and ensuring the continuity of financial institutions.

Economic recovery cannot be achieved through confrontational policies or temporary solutions, but rather through a comprehensive reform vision that recognizes the true scale of the crisis and lays the groundwork for a gradual and sustainable recovery.