Saudi Arabia’s PIF Establishes Aseer Investment Company

Aseer Investment Company will unlock a wide range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors. (Public Investment Fund)
Aseer Investment Company will unlock a wide range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors. (Public Investment Fund)
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Saudi Arabia’s PIF Establishes Aseer Investment Company

Aseer Investment Company will unlock a wide range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors. (Public Investment Fund)
Aseer Investment Company will unlock a wide range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors. (Public Investment Fund)

The Saudi Public Investment Fund announced on Thursday the establishment of Aseer Investment Company (AIC) to operate as its investment arm in the Aseer region, south of Saudi Arabia.

The new company will promote and stimulate local and foreign direct investment to develop and transform the region into a year-round tourism destination.

AIC will unlock a wide range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors across a number of sectors, including tourism, hospitality, healthcare, sports, education, food, and many other fast-growing domestic industries.

It will contribute to fostering public-private partnerships, creating jobs for the local community, and promoting the region’s tourism and investment opportunities.

Raid Ismail, Head of Direct Investments for the Middle East and North Africa at PIF said: “AIC aims to become a leading facilitator of broad-ranging investment opportunities in Aseer.”

AIC will promote the region’s rugged mountains, stunning nature, and storied culture, preserve its ancient history and heritage, and transform it into a world-class tourist destination for visitors from across the globe in line with PIF’s strategy and Vision 2030, Ismail added.

The company’s establishment comes in line with PIF’s strategy to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors in the Kingdom and support the country. It also comes in line with the Aseer region’s position as a leading investment destination.



Türkiye Returns $5 Bn Deposit to Saudi Arabia

Commercial and financial district, home to bank headquarters and renowned shopping centers in Istanbul (Reuters)
Commercial and financial district, home to bank headquarters and renowned shopping centers in Istanbul (Reuters)
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Türkiye Returns $5 Bn Deposit to Saudi Arabia

Commercial and financial district, home to bank headquarters and renowned shopping centers in Istanbul (Reuters)
Commercial and financial district, home to bank headquarters and renowned shopping centers in Istanbul (Reuters)

Türkiye’s central bank has reached an agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development to settle a $5 billion deposit received last year, as part of efforts to reduce external liabilities.
The central bank announced on Wednesday that it had reviewed its international deposit processes to better manage reserves and reduce external debts. A bilateral agreement was reached with Saudi Arabia to end the $5 billion deposit deal made last year.
The deposit, placed on March 6, 2023, was part of a broader strategy to strengthen relations between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, following directives from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
This repayment signals a positive shift in Türkiye’s economic management under Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, who has focused on reducing the central bank’s foreign exchange interventions and improving the country’s financial stability.
Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan noted that the bank had largely stopped swap operations with local banks and was reviewing international agreements. Experts see this as a step toward a more straightforward monetary policy.

In a social media post, Şimşek highlighted that Türkiye’s reserves had strengthened due to increased foreign inflows and reduced reliance on external financing, and he confirmed ongoing economic and financial cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
In other news, Fitch Ratings said that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) banks are showing a strong appetite to grow their presence in major regional markets, particularly Turkiye, Egypt and India, attracted by improving economic conditions and better growth opportunities than in their domestic markets.
Fitch Ratings noted that Several GCC banks are reportedly looking to acquire banks in Turkiye, Egypt and India. The agency said it believes external growth is part of some GCC banks’ strategy to diversify business models and improve profitability. By deploying capital into high-growth markets.