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Al-Rumayyan: PIF Analyzes Global Trends Before Investments

A group photo at the opening ceremony of the FII PRIORITY Summit Hong Kong (PIF)
A group photo at the opening ceremony of the FII PRIORITY Summit Hong Kong (PIF)
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Al-Rumayyan: PIF Analyzes Global Trends Before Investments

A group photo at the opening ceremony of the FII PRIORITY Summit Hong Kong (PIF)
A group photo at the opening ceremony of the FII PRIORITY Summit Hong Kong (PIF)

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Chairman of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, emphasized that the Fund's strategy hinges on a thorough understanding of needs, global trends, and emerging directions.

Al-Rumayyan highlighted the importance of aligning these factors in the most effective manner.

This involves a thorough examination of business and financial feasibility before making any investments.

Al-Rumayyan made these remarks during a panel discussion on humanitarian priorities at the FII PRIORITY Summit Hong Kong which brought together global investors, innovators and policymakers to tackle technology, climate, and economic threats.

The two-day summit was organized by the Hong Kong government, its stock exchange and the FII Institute— a nonprofit founded by PIF.

Al-Rumayyan discussed the impact of global trends on PIF’s investments.

He highlighted the expected economic growth in Asia this year, approximately 4.6%, contributing 52% to global economic growth.

Al-Rumayyan added, “43% of funding for startups, 51% of technological expenses, and 88% of patent applications all come from Asia.”

Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, known as Vision 2030, aims to diversify the country’s economy beyond reliance on energy, reaffirmed Al-Rumayyan.

On his part, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee called the summit “yet another significant step forward, in the deepening (of) ties between Hong Kong and the Middle East, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

He described Hong Kong as one of the most competitive and free economies globally, acting as a major international financial center.

Lee noted that around a thousand fintech companies are currently operating in Hong Kong, a 25% increase from the previous year.

Moreover, Richard Attias, CEO of the FII Institute, stated that both Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia serve as “vital connectors” for people from diverse cultures and markets.

Attias praised Hong Kong as the gateway to Asia, citing its simple and low-tax system and robust legal framework.

Laura Cha, chair of the Hong Kong stock exchange, emphasized the increasing need for global communication.

“The world needs connection now more than ever,” she said.

Cha anticipated stronger relationships between the Middle East, mainland China, and Hong Kong throughout the event.

“Only by working together can we progress and overcome the most pressing challenges facing our generation,” she said.

The summit was attended by around a thousand investors, innovators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from around the world, with over 100 speakers, including industry leaders, government officials, and academics.

Discussions focused on rapidly changing priorities in the social, economic, and geopolitical landscape.

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China Exempts Some Goods from US Tariffs to Limit trade War Pain

TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
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China Exempts Some Goods from US Tariffs to Limit trade War Pain

TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT

China has exempted some US imports from its 125% tariffs and is asking firms to identify critical goods they need levy-free, according to businesses notified, in the clearest sign yet of Beijing's concerns about the trade war's economic fallout.

The dispensation, which follows de-escalatory statements from Washington, signals that the world's two largest economies were prepared to rein in their conflict, which had frozen much of the trade between them, raising fears of a global recession.

Beijing's exemptions - which business groups hope would extend to dozens of industries - pushed the US dollar up slightly and lifted equity markets in Hong Kong and Japan.

“As a quid-pro-quo move, it could provide a potential way to de-escalate tensions," said Alfredo Montufar-Helu, a senior adviser to the Conference Board's China Center, a think tank.

But, he cautioned: "It’s clear that neither the US nor China want to be the first in reaching out for a deal."

China has not yet communicated publicly on any exemptions. A Friday statement by the Politburo, the Communist Party's elite decision-making body, focused on efforts to maintain stability at home by supporting firms and workers most affected by tariffs.

The readout, which followed the Politburo's regular monthly meeting, showed that Beijing was also ready to hunker down and fight a trade war of attrition if needed to outlast Washington in enduring the pain from the breakdown of their relationship.

A Ministry of Commerce taskforce is collecting lists of items that could be exempted from tariffs and is asking companies to submit their own requests, according to a person with knowledge of that outreach.

The ministry said on Thursday it had held a meeting with more than 80 foreign companies and business chambers in China to discuss the impact of US tariffs on investment and the operation of foreign firms in the country.

"The Chinese government, for example, has been asking our companies what sort of things are you importing to China from the US that you cannot find anywhere else and so would shut down your supply chain," American Chamber of Commerce in China President Michael Hart said.

Hart added some member pharmaceutical companies had reported being able to import drugs to China without tariffs. He believed the exemptions were drug-specific, not industry-wide.

The chief executive of French aircraft engine maker Safran said on Friday it had been informed last night that China had granted tariff exemptions on "a certain number of aerospace equipment parts" including engines and landing gear.

The tariff exemptions under consideration by Beijing could provide cost relief for companies in China and take pressure off US exports at a time when the Trump administration has shown signs of wanting to make a deal with Beijing.

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China also said it had raised the issue of tariff exemptions with the commerce ministry and was awaiting a response.

"Many of our member companies are significantly impacted by the tariffs on critical components imported from the US," President Jens Eskelund said.

A list of 131 categories of products said to be under consideration for tariff exemptions was circulating on Chinese social media platforms and among some businesses and trade groups on Friday. Reuters could not verify the list, which included items ranging from vaccines and chemicals to jet engines.

Huatai Securities said the list corresponded to $45 billion worth of imports to China last year.

China's customs agency and Ministry of Commerce did not reply to requests for comment. China's foreign ministry said it was not familiar with tariff exemption plans, redirecting queries to "relevant authorities".