Saudi Future Investment Initiative Institute Concludes Deal to Support Tourism

The signing ceremony between Saudi Tourism Development Fund and the Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The signing ceremony between Saudi Tourism Development Fund and the Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Future Investment Initiative Institute Concludes Deal to Support Tourism

The signing ceremony between Saudi Tourism Development Fund and the Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The signing ceremony between Saudi Tourism Development Fund and the Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII) (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII) announced it concluded an agreement to boost the tourism sector. It organized the "Priority Summit" in New York on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

CEO Richard Attias presented the global survey results aimed at determining the most critical priority for each individual.

The results revealed the priority in terms of population and continental composition to build an innovative roadmap to help humanity transition to assist humanity in surviving and thriving in a new complex world.

- A different experience

Attias explained that the Foundation made this report in 13 countries to understand the recent trends, which can monitor the emerging economies of the countries that represent approximately 50 percent of the population and see them on the map shown for the nations.

"In the ten main findings of the report, we noticed that people are very positive about themselves, as 77% of normal people in countries were going in the right direction," the CEO was quoted by SPA.

He pointed out that another analysis was done that shows the relationship between optimism and GDP that can gradually improve the citizen's outlook by paying attention to his priorities.

He reported that 53 percent of high-income countries enjoy a nutritionally better life.

- Quality of life

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih addressed the priority sectors in investment after the economic transformation the world is witnessing, highlighting the Kingdom's efforts and plans to invest in industries that focus on improving the quality of life.

The minister stressed that technology has a significant and fundamental impact on investing, living, and the interaction mechanisms between companies.

"In light of the outbreak of the epidemic, it has been proven that the use of technology is important to deal with the challenges we face and provide opportunities for investors," Falih said.

- Companies and individuals

Speaking at the summit, the governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Aramco, Yasir al-Rumayyan, discussed the role of companies and investors in supporting the most critical priorities of individuals.

During a plenary session with the Honorary President of the University of Pennsylvania, Judith Rodin, he disclosed the difference between a crisis management approach and a crisis management approach that causes other crises.

PIF plays a significant role in stimulating the Saudi economy, noted Rumayyan, noting that the Fund has an initiative dedicated to ensuring the achievement of the goals set in the Vision Realization Program.

- Tourism development

The Saudi Tourism Development Fund and the FII signed a strategic partnership agreement to work together in advancing projects and initiatives in line with the Institute's core focus areas.

It will also support the curation of the upcoming sixth edition of the FII forum, which will be held in Riyadh from October 25-27 under the theme of "Impact on Humanity: Enabling a New Global Order."

The CEO of the Fund, Qusai al-Fakhri, explained that the partnership with FII will enhance efforts between the two parties and seek jointly to encourage and support investment in the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia.

"We look forward to exploring together how the face of tourism is changing and how we can work with global efforts to make tourism growth sustainable," said Fakhri.

The Fund's partnership with FII is a testament to the Fund's enthusiasm to contribute to the Institute's work and its investment in the four essential pillars of Sustainability, Healthcare, Education, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics, on which the Institute was founded.

The Tourism Development Fund was established to empower one of Saudi Arabia's most rapidly growing industries. It aims to facilitate local and international investors access to tourism investments across the Kingdom.

The Fund's efforts align with Saudi Arabia's bold ambition to bolster the country's reputation as a top tourist destination.

- Foreign Trade

Furthermore, the Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi General Authority for Foreign Trade, Majid al-Qasabi, held bilateral meetings in Bali on the sidelines of the G20 working group on commerce, investment, and industry.

Qasabi with ministers of trade of Türkiye, India, Argentina, South Africa, and Russia.

During the meetings, opportunities for cooperation on investment and industry and an increase in trade exchanges were reviewed.



Saudi Mortgage Loans Reach Record Highs

The Cityscape International Real Estate Exhibition 2024 in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Cityscape International Real Estate Exhibition 2024 in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Mortgage Loans Reach Record Highs

The Cityscape International Real Estate Exhibition 2024 in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Cityscape International Real Estate Exhibition 2024 in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Mortgage lending provided by financing companies has reached an all-time high by the end of the third quarter of 2024 amid developments in Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector.

According to data from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the companies issued approximately SAR 28 billion ($7.4 billion) in real estate loans.

The data indicates that corporate borrowers accounted for SAR 5 billion, while individuals received SAR 23 billion. Additionally, financing companies in the Kingdom reported their highest net income since 2022 during the third quarter, amounting to SAR 768 million ($204.5 million).

Mortgage loans from commercial banks also rose for both individuals and companies, recording a 13% year-on-year increase to SAR 846.48 billion ($225 billion) by the end of Q3, compared to SAR 747 billion ($199 billion) during the same period in 2023. Of this, individual loans comprised 77.6% of the total, amounting to SAR 657 billion—an 11% annual increase—while corporate loans represented 22.4%, growing by 22%.

Commenting on the market’s growth, Mohammed Al-Farraj, Senior Director of Asset Management at Arbah Capital, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the Saudi real estate market is experiencing unprecedented momentum, driven by a significant increase in mortgage lending to individuals by financing companies. Last year witnessed record growth in this type of lending.”

Al-Farraj predicts the upward trend in the mortgage financing market will continue into 2025, with a projected 12% growth. He attributes this to reduced interest rates, rapid economic growth, rising purchasing power, increased consumer confidence, successful government housing policies, a broader variety of real estate products, and growing demand for housing. He also anticipates that this growth will stimulate economic activity and increase demand for various goods and services.

The US Federal Reserve has played a significant role in the global economic climate by cutting interest rates three consecutive times between September and December 2024, reducing them by approximately 100 basis points to a range of 4.25%-4.5%.

Saudi Arabia has placed considerable emphasis on the mortgage market to enhance liquidity in the real estate financing sector. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed to develop and strengthen this vital sector.

The Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company (SRC), wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), recently signed an MoU with Hassana Investment Company to develop the market, attract local and international investors, and expand the secondary real estate market.

Additionally, SRC signed an agreement with US-based BlackRock to enhance mortgage financing programs in the Kingdom and increase institutional participation in capital markets. In November, it entered an MoU with King Street, a capital management firm, to activate initiatives aimed at creating a sustainable ecosystem for mortgage refinancing.