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Saudi Arabia's PIF Shifts from Launching Opportunities to Accelerating Growth

During a ministerial session, Saudi ministers emphasized that the partnership between PIF and the private sector is the main engine of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
During a ministerial session, Saudi ministers emphasized that the partnership between PIF and the private sector is the main engine of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia's PIF Shifts from Launching Opportunities to Accelerating Growth

During a ministerial session, Saudi ministers emphasized that the partnership between PIF and the private sector is the main engine of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
During a ministerial session, Saudi ministers emphasized that the partnership between PIF and the private sector is the main engine of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

In line with the objectives of the third phase of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) five-year strategy, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is moving from building sectors to integrating ecosystems, and from launching opportunities to accelerating growth, backed by an open invitation to the private sector to invest and partner in shaping a diversified, resilient economy.

This was outlined by PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan during the PIF–Private Sector Forum held in Riyadh on Monday.

Al-Rumayyan said the forum has become the largest platform of its kind for capturing partnership and collaboration opportunities with companies, noting that participation has reached 25,000 leaders from the public and private sectors and investors from Saudi Arabia and abroad since 2023.

“In the previous edition, we succeeded in turning dialogue into tangible opportunities for the private sector through programs and initiatives that supported business-environment growth,” he said, adding that more than 140 agreements worth over SAR 15 billion ($4 billion) were signed during the last forum.

Al-Rumayyan explained that PIF is working with the private sector to deepen impact and build an integrated economic ecosystem that drives sustainable growth.

This approach aligns with the investment cycle, beginning with risk-taking to build strategic sectors, establish national champions, and launch initiatives that stimulate local content spending, localize supply chains, develop domestic capabilities and industries, and expand infrastructure, he explained.

He noted that the impact of PIF’s programs and initiatives to strengthen private-sector partnerships has become evident. Spending on local content by PIF and its portfolio companies reached SAR 591 billion ($157.6 billion) between 2020 and 2024, supported by the Musahama Local Content Development Program.

According to Al-Rumayyan, the Contractor Financing Program enabled the execution of PIF projects worth more than SAR 10 billion ($2.6 billion) through innovative financing solutions, raising the participation rate of local contractors in PIF projects to 67 percent in 2025.

PIF has also offered the private sector more than 190 investment opportunities valued at over SAR 40 billion ($10.6 billion) through international partnerships and supply-chain localization, he added.

“The impact has not been limited to financing,” he said. “It has extended to enhancing corporate readiness, building national talent, and creating high-quality jobs, within an ecosystem that applies the highest standards of efficiency, transparency, and governance.”

During a ministerial session, Saudi ministers emphasized that the partnership between PIF and the private sector is the main engine of the Kingdom's economic transformation, driving investment inflows, building new value chains, and empowering non-oil sectors in line with Vision 2030 targets.

Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said a key objective of PIF is to catalyze an unprecedented shift from an oil-dependent rentier economy to a diversified, sustainable one.

The National Investment Strategy, launched in Oct. 2022, aims to inject SAR 12 trillion by 2030, he stressed. More than SAR 6.2 trillion has already been achieved in three and a half years, lifting investment contribution to 30 percent of GDP.

Investment in the non-oil economy has exceeded 40 percent, with PIF contributing about SAR 650 billion of total investments, while over 65 percent came from private-sector institutions, he remarked.

He highlighted a tenfold increase in registered investment companies and a rise in firms using Saudi Arabia as a regional headquarters, from five to around 700.

Meanwhile, Minister of Transport Saleh Al-Jasser said the Kingdom attracted SAR 25 billion in private investment through privatization projects, while total private-sector investment in transport exceeded SAR 250 billion since the launch of the national strategy in mid-2021.

He revealed 16 current investment opportunities across airports, roads, maritime transport, and logistics.

Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail said improving municipal-sector efficiency depends heavily on private-sector participation.

He noted that 12 of 21 services identified as eligible for privatization in major cities have been completed, representing about 40 percent of the target. The municipal sector oversees more than seven million workers, around 970,000 establishments, and more than 2,450 professions.

In industry and mining, Minister Bandar AlKhorayef said Saudi Arabia has become a leading global investment destination. He outlined PIF’s three roles: direct investment in promising sectors, building major supply chains, and elevating challenges to policymakers to improve regulations.

He added that adopting Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence accelerates project delivery and strengthens competitiveness.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb said tourism has become a key driver of economic diversification. Its contribution to GDP rose from 3.5 percent in 2019 to about 5 percent by the end of 2025, with a target of 10 percent.

Employment in the sector has exceeded one million jobs, while committed investments between 2020 and 2030 amount to about SAR 450 billion, split evenly between PIF and the private sector, he revealed.

He stressed that globally, tourism is run by the private sector as both investor and operator.

The PIF–Private Sector Forum serves as a platform linking supply and demand by connecting PIF portfolio companies with government entities, investors, and private firms. It opens new horizons for partnerships and a new wave of projects that empower the private sector and strengthen its role in the national economy, supporting business growth and the future of the Saudi economy.

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Business

Saudi Economy Accelerates as Diversification and Legal Reforms Drive Growth

Quality of life represents a strategic national priority in Saudi Arabia (SPA). 
Quality of life represents a strategic national priority in Saudi Arabia (SPA). 
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Saudi Economy Accelerates as Diversification and Legal Reforms Drive Growth

Quality of life represents a strategic national priority in Saudi Arabia (SPA). 
Quality of life represents a strategic national priority in Saudi Arabia (SPA). 

Saudi Arabia’s economy has undergone nearly a decade of transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as sweeping reforms and diversification efforts reshape the country’s economic landscape.

Since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030 in April 2016, the Kingdom has embarked on its most significant economic shift in decades. The transformation has extended far beyond fiscal adjustments or limited diversification programs, evolving instead into a broad structural reform aimed at reducing reliance on oil and building a more diverse and dynamic economy.

Economic indicators suggest the strategy is gaining traction. Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose from about SAR 2.6 trillion in 2016 to nearly SAR 4.7 trillion in recent years, roughly $1.3 trillion, according to the latest official figures. That represents an average cumulative annual growth rate of about 8 percent, placing the Kingdom among the fastest-growing major economies globally during this period.

The shift reflects Vision 2030’s broader strategy to expand non-oil industries and widen the country’s production base beyond hydrocarbons.

 

Faisal Al-Fadhel, a legal expert in economic legislation and a member of the board of trustees of the Riyadh Economic Forum, said the reforms launched under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have introduced a more diversified and sustainable economic model.

“Saudi Arabia has moved toward reducing its dependence on oil while expanding promising sectors such as tourism, technology, logistics and advanced industries,” Al-Fadhel told Asharq Al-Awsat. “This approach enhances the resilience of the national economy and increases the attractiveness of the Saudi market for both domestic and foreign investors.”

Recent economic indicators support that assessment. Non-oil activities have recorded strong growth, the private sector’s contribution to GDP has expanded, and foreign direct investment inflows have increased. At the same time, Saudi Arabia has improved its standing in global competitiveness indicators, reinforcing its ambitions to become a regional hub for business and investment.

Al-Fadhel noted that the transformation has also been supported by a broad legislative reform agenda designed to modernize the regulatory environment. Key economic and commercial laws — including the Companies Law, Investment Law, and Bankruptcy Law — have been updated, alongside regulations related to corporate governance, investor protection and competition. The reforms aim to improve transparency, regulatory certainty and the efficiency of the investment environment.

Non-Oil Sectors Lead Growth

One of the most visible outcomes of the economic shift is the rising contribution of non-oil sectors, which now account for 56 percent of GDP. Data show that non-oil activities were the primary driver of real economic growth in 2025.

Saudi Arabia ended 2025 with its strongest growth in two years, with GDP expanding 4.5 percent, according to estimates by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The economy grew 5 percent in the fourth quarter, with all major sectors contributing to the expansion compared with 2024.

Labor Market Changes

The Saudi labor market has also seen notable shifts. Unemployment among Saudi nationals has declined, while female participation in the workforce has reached record levels following a series of labor and regulatory reforms.

More than 2.48 million Saudis have joined the private sector in recent years, reflecting the impact of job localization policies. Economic transformation programs have also generated roughly 800,000 new jobs, with strong growth in engineering professions.

Employment opportunities have expanded particularly in tourism, supported by major entertainment and tourism projects, as well as in the pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing industries, where job numbers have doubled.

Investment at the Center

Investment has become a central pillar of the Kingdom’s economic strategy. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has positioned both domestic and foreign investment as key drivers of growth and diversification.

The government established the Ministry of Investment and launched the National Investment Strategy as a comprehensive framework to boost capital formation. Total investment — measured by fixed capital formation — has risen from about SAR 672 billion in 2017 to roughly SAR 1.44 trillion by the end of 2024, more than doubling in less than a decade.

Al-Fadhel emphasized that the private sector is a critical partner in achieving Vision 2030 goals through expanded investment, technological adoption, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Public Investment Fund Expands Role

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has emerged as a central instrument of the transformation. With assets estimated at SAR 3.47 trillion, it has become one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds.

PIF is leading major investments in tourism, renewable energy, industry, technology and entertainment while launching large-scale development projects designed to create new industries and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global economic hub.

 

 

Business

US Fed Expected to Hold Rates Steady as Iran War Roils Outlook

The US-Israel war on Iran has seen energy infrastructure damaged across the Middle East, sending shockwaves through global markets. AFP
The US-Israel war on Iran has seen energy infrastructure damaged across the Middle East, sending shockwaves through global markets. AFP
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US Fed Expected to Hold Rates Steady as Iran War Roils Outlook

The US-Israel war on Iran has seen energy infrastructure damaged across the Middle East, sending shockwaves through global markets. AFP
The US-Israel war on Iran has seen energy infrastructure damaged across the Middle East, sending shockwaves through global markets. AFP

US Federal Reserve policymakers are expected to leave interest rates unchanged at their meeting next week, as the US-Israel war on Iran sends shock waves through markets and recent economic data has begun to show weakness.

The Fed will start its two-day meeting on Tuesday, with an announcement of the benchmark lending rate in the world's largest economy a day later.

The central bank cut rates three consecutive times last year before holding them steady at its January meeting, said AFP.

It has a dual mandate of holding inflation near a long-term target of two percent while ensuring maximum employment.

With war in the Middle East causing global oil prices to spike, potentially increasing overall inflation and curbing growth, analysts say policymakers are unlikely to make any moves now.

"This is certainly a bind for the Fed, because supply shocks are extremely hard to deal with in that they lift inflation and they curb output," EY-Parthenon chief economist Gregory Daco told AFP.

Affordability is a key political issue for President Donald Trump, who has claimed that prices are cooling even as consumers complain of the high costs of basic goods.

Trump has repeatedly insulted Fed Chair Jerome Powell as he demands lower rates, and the Justice Department threatened Powell with a criminal indictment as part of an investigation into cost overruns for a Fed renovation project.

While consumer inflation has dropped from a peak of 9.1 percent during the Covid pandemic, it remains well above the Fed's two- percent target.

"Unlike other countries, which have already achieved some level of price stability, we're five years in without price stability," said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG.

She warned that, depending on how long the Iran war lasts, inflation could again soar past four percent.

"I think the main story here is that we are seeing inflation moving away from the Fed's two-percent target, and that will lead many Fed policymakers to adopt an even more hawkish stance," said Daco.

- Duelling mandates -

Raising rates to cool the economy, however, could bring the Fed into tension with its other mandate: managing unemployment.

The United States unexpectedly lost 92,000 jobs in February, government data showed, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent.

Analysts say a relatively steady unemployment rate has been masking churn beneath the surface.

Labor demand has been dropping, but unemployment has not spiked because that has been accompanied by a drop in supply due to Trump's immigration crackdown.

Daco said labor demand gauges were showing signs of concern, including a weak hiring rate "at a decade low," slowing wage growth and business leaders talking about labor replacement due to AI.

Swonk noted that spiking uncertainty due to war in Iran and its knock-on effects would further curb labor demand.

"Uncertainty acts as its own tax on the economy, and one of the first lines of defense that firms do is they freeze hiring," she said.

And recent data ahead of the Fed meeting is not encouraging, with US GDP growth revised sharply lower in the final months of 2025.

- 'Rock and a hard place' -

Some Fed policymakers, however, have been cautious in describing the possible inflationary shocks of the war.

Fed Governor Christopher Waller expressed sympathy on Bloomberg TV last week for consumers facing spiking gasoline prices.

"But for us thinking about policy going forward, this is unlikely to cause sustained inflation," he said.

Swonk warned however that any economic slowdown from the war could be tough to recover from in the immediate term.

"I think people are discounting the risk of the lingering effects," she said, noting that supply disruptions affect more than oil prices.

"There's no question they're between a rock and a hard spot, and it just got harder," Swonk said of policymakers having to balance inflation and unemployment.

To Daco, however, uncertainty means the Fed is more likely to hold rates steady "for a long period of time."

Traders have begun to reduce their outlook for rate cuts, and Swonk said that hikes could even be on the menu.

"This is not a one-way street. We're at a busy intersection, and the stoplight's broken," she said.

Business

Fitch Affirms ‘AA’ Credit Rating for Qatar

As LNG production increases, Fitch projects the general government budget surplus will rise ⁠to ⁠4.1% of GDP in 2027 (Reuters)
As LNG production increases, Fitch projects the general government budget surplus will rise ⁠to ⁠4.1% of GDP in 2027 (Reuters)
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Fitch Affirms ‘AA’ Credit Rating for Qatar

As LNG production increases, Fitch projects the general government budget surplus will rise ⁠to ⁠4.1% of GDP in 2027 (Reuters)
As LNG production increases, Fitch projects the general government budget surplus will rise ⁠to ⁠4.1% of GDP in 2027 (Reuters)

Fitch Ratings affirmed Qatar's long-term foreign-currency rating at "AA" and a "stable" outlook on Friday, saying its strong balance sheet and plans to sharply increase LNG output should help cushion the impact of the escalating Middle East conflict.

The US-Israel war with Iran has disrupted shipments from the world's most important oil artery, the Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supply.

The impact on LNG exports is likely ⁠to widen Qatar's ⁠fiscal deficit in 2026, contingent on how long the conflict lasts, but the country should be able to more easily tap debt markets or draw on its sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which has built up ⁠assets over decades of investing at home and globally.

Fitch said it assumes the conflict would last less than a month and the strait would remain closed during that period, with no major damage to regional hydrocarbon infrastructure. Under its baseline scenario, the agency expects Brent crude to average $70 a barrel in 2026.

As LNG production increases, Fitch projects the general government budget surplus will rise ⁠to ⁠4.1% of GDP in 2027 and exceed 7% by 2030. Excluding investment income, the budget is expected to return to surplus from 2027, with most excess revenue likely to be transferred to QIA for overseas investment.

The agency expects Qatar to meet its 2026 funding needs through a combination of central bank overdrafts, domestic and international market borrowing, and drawdowns on the finance ministry's deposits in the banking sector.