Saudi Arabia Eyes $420b Foreign Investments in Infrastructure, Transportation

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih speaking at the US-Saudi Arabia Business Leaders 2021 Virtual Forum, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih speaking at the US-Saudi Arabia Business Leaders 2021 Virtual Forum, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Eyes $420b Foreign Investments in Infrastructure, Transportation

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih speaking at the US-Saudi Arabia Business Leaders 2021 Virtual Forum, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih speaking at the US-Saudi Arabia Business Leaders 2021 Virtual Forum, Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih revealed that the Kingdom’s infrastructure and transportation sectors are seeking to attract around $420 billion in foreign investments over the next decade.

Speaking at the US-Saudi Arabia Business Leaders 2021 Virtual Forum, a two-day event organized by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, Falih said his country offers a variety of opportunities across different sectors that are attractive for US investors.

According to Saudi Arabia’s national plan for transformation and economic diversification, dubbed “Kingdom Vision 2030,” foreign investments in the Gulf state are projected to reach $3 trillion.

Reaffirming that the Saudi economy enjoys a great resistance ability against challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, Falih said that authorities in the Kingdom have taken effective measures that increased foreign investments by 40%.

The minister confirmed that work in the Kingdom is underway to achieve social and economic transformation outlined by Kingdom Vision 2030.

He highlighted that Saudi Arabia is committed to becoming carbon neutral and that it wants to derive 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2030.

Falih revealed that the Kingdom is looking to establish and develop partnerships with green energy companies in the US.

He also stressed that great investment opportunities are present in the Kingdom’s mining field. Saudi Arabia aims to attract investments worth $1.3 trillion to its mining sector after it completes implementing new regulations designed to boost transparency.

In the field of logistics, Falih pointed out that the Kingdom seeks becoming a major player in the field of investment in infrastructure and the development of ports and railways.

He reaffirmed the Kingdom has a goal of attracting $420 billion worth of investments in its infrastructure development sector over the next decade.

As for tourism and entertainment, Falih highlighted the vast opportunities offered by the Kingdom’s future smart cities, which aim to raise $200 billion in investments.



UAE, Serbia Sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. WAM
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UAE, Serbia Sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. WAM

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić have witnessed the exchange of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), paving the way for increased trade and investment flows and bilateral private sector collaboration.

Sheikh Mohamed commended the exchange of the CEPA as a key milestone in the relations between the UAE and Serbia.

“The CEPA exchange with Serbia is a notable step forward in our efforts to create a network of trade agreements that will accelerate investment, promote knowledge-sharing, and create opportunities for joint ventures in high-growth sectors,” he said.

“Serbia represents an important addition to the CEPA program and a bridge into the high-potential region of Eastern Europe. The UAE-Serbia CEPA reflects our shared ambition to establish a new era of collaboration between our nations and unlock long-term, sustainable growth for both our economies.”

The Serbian President expressed confidence that the agreement would pave the way for new opportunities in economic cooperation and diversification, fostering sustainable growth and prosperity for both nations.

Once implemented, the UAE-Serbia CEPA is expected to remove or reduce duties on product lines, lift unnecessary barriers to trade, protect intellectual property rights, support small and medium-sized companies, and facilitate mutual investment flows.

The UAE is the third-largest market for Serbian exports in the Middle East, and increased FDI has been directed toward high-priority sectors, including renewable energy, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, and logistics.