Saudi Arabia: 20 Economic Zones Aimed to Attract National, Foreign Investments

 Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khaled Al-Falih addressing the conference on Thursday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khaled Al-Falih addressing the conference on Thursday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20

Saudi Arabia: 20 Economic Zones Aimed to Attract National, Foreign Investments

 Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khaled Al-Falih addressing the conference on Thursday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khaled Al-Falih addressing the conference on Thursday (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khaled Al-Falih said that the Kingdom has prepared regulatory legislation and identified 20 economic zones, six of which are in Riyadh, to promote an attractive environment for Saudi and foreign investors.

He also stressed that the private sector would be a key player in the development strategy for the city of Riyadh, revealing “very profitable opportunities for those who invest in the new strategy.”

A dialogue session entitled “The Future of Riyadh” was held within the Future Investment Initiative conference on Thursday, during which Al-Falih said that the integration between regions and projects in the Kingdom would be achieved by enabling the airports to link the logistical areas.

He added that his country has succeeded in maintaining the flexibility of the local economy, despite the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which strengthened local and foreign investors’ confidence in the Kingdom.

For his part, Fahd Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh, said that Saudi Arabia would soon announce the Riyadh strategy, revealing that the Middle East region, and the Kingdom in particular, would be a future hub for investments from around the world.

“Riyadh’s development strategy will make the city completely different from its current situation,” he said, noting that the authority was ready, through the strategic plan, to deal with the significant growth expected in the future.



Saudi Arabia Boosts Food Security

An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
TT
20

Saudi Arabia Boosts Food Security

An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to strengthen food security, a strategic objective rooted in the Kingdom’s founding and shaped by its desert geography and limited water resources.

As part of its Vision 2030, the Kingdom has placed food security among its top priorities, implementing a national strategy to boost local production and promote long-term agricultural sustainability.

The agricultural sector’s contribution to GDP rose to SAR114 billion ($30.4 billion) in 2024, up from SAR109 billion ($29 billion) the previous year, according to the latest Vision 2030 annual report.

Government support, particularly through the Agricultural Development Fund, has fueled the sector’s growth. Agricultural loans increased by 54% between 2018 and 2024, reaching SAR5 billion ($1.33 billion).

Saudi Arabia has achieved higher self-sufficiency rates across several key products. Domestic production in 2024 included 2.95 million tons of fruit, 3.38 million tons of vegetables, 1.83 million tons of grains, 399,000 tons of eggs, 2.7 million tons of milk, 274,000 tons of red meat, 1.15 million tons of poultry, 217,000 tons of fish, and 8,500 tons of honey.

Aquaculture has seen significant growth, with fish production rising from 40,000 tons in 2016 to over 246,000 tons in 2024, driven by investments in sustainable technologies and marine projects. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as an emerging regional hub for aquaculture.

The Kingdom’s progress reflects its long-term commitment to food security, supported by initiatives to enhance supply chains, stimulate private sector investment, and advance research and innovation in modern farming technologies. Authorities say the achievements so far signal Saudi Arabia’s ability to continue advancing toward self-sufficiency in a more resilient and sustainable agricultural environment.