FII Institute PRIORITY Summit to Be Held in US on February 22-23

FII Institute PRIORITY Summit to Be Held in US on February 22-23
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FII Institute PRIORITY Summit to Be Held in US on February 22-23

FII Institute PRIORITY Summit to Be Held in US on February 22-23

Leaders from across the world, and across the political spectrum will gather in Miami for the Future Investment Initiative PRIORITY Summit on February 22 and 23.

The event will bring together 1,000 investors, business leaders and policy experts at a time of heightened global tensions.

With the world experiencing an array of immediate and long-term risks, including geopolitical tension, contested elections, polarized discourse, climate concerns, AI threats and economic headwinds, the FII Institute is convening an international summit to encourage the mobilization of investment as a force for good.

The summit, held under the theme “On the Edge of a New Frontier”, will address the changing economic, social and political realities, and the issues that are of concern to citizens the world over. Discussions will include the digitization of every economic sector, investor outlook, climate tech, the new AI ecosystem, innovations for better urban environments, and the forthcoming US elections.

Over one hundred luminaries from finance, business and government are due to speak, including Michael Dell, Founder, Chairman, & CEO, Dell Technologies; Larry Summers, President Emeritus, Harvard University & Board Member at OpenAI; Jennifer Johnson, President & CEO, Franklin Templeton; Pamela Liebman, President and CEO, The Corcoran Group; Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO, Accenture; Tom Vice, CEO, Sierra Space; Magda Wierzycka, Sygnia Ltd; Josh Harris, Founder, 26North and Managing Partner, Washington Commanders; Dr Chloé Bakalar, Chief Ethicist, Responsible AI, Meta; Caroline Yap, Managing Director, Global AI Business, Google; and Todd Boehly, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, Eldridge Industries

The Future Investment Initiative’s (FII) Founding Partner, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, will be joined by 25 Strategic Partners, including international companies Pepsico, Franklin Templeton, HSBC, Softbank Vision Fund, Standard Chartered, Straight Street, and GFH Financial Group. Strategic Partners support the ongoing work of the institute.

The FII Institute conducts ongoing research to identify the issues that matter to citizens worldwide. This year’s polling sampled 50,000 people from 23 countries to identify humanity’s priorities. The findings are used to shape FII’s policy agenda and program of summits.

This year’s research revealed a dramatic global drop of 20% in satisfaction levels, and discontent across a range of issues, including cost of living, loneliness, technology, and climate concerns. Meanwhile, 62% of respondents in the United States say their government is not doing enough to regulate the impact of emerging technology on society.

FII PRIORITY Summit Miami continues conversations held in Hong Kong and Riyadh in fall 2023. It is part of an ongoing global program of summits held next in forward looking global cities throughout the year, with summits coming up in Rio de Janeiro and Nairobi in the spring and summer.

Miami has been chosen for its vibrancy, diversity, economic significance, and its role as a vital link between continents, economies, and societies.

Richard Attias, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative Institute said: “This year marks an historic moment with nearly half of the world’s population participating in national elections in 2024, underscoring the significance of citizen priorities and leaders’ effective responses to them.”

“The choices made by leaders in government and investment during this period will have far-reaching consequences for global peace, prosperity, and stability and I am delighted that over 1,000 leaders will spend time in Miami deliberating on those issues that matter to the world,” he added.



Türkiye Says to Maintain Tight Monetary Policy, Fiscal Discipline

FILE PHOTO: People shop at a green market in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 22, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People shop at a green market in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 22, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo
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Türkiye Says to Maintain Tight Monetary Policy, Fiscal Discipline

FILE PHOTO: People shop at a green market in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 22, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People shop at a green market in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 22, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya/File Photo

Türkiye will maintain its tight monetary policy and keep fiscal discipline in order to further lower inflation, Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said on Saturday.

Turkish consumer price inflation leapt to a higher-than-expected 4.84% month-on-month in January, official data showed on Tuesday, driven in part by new year price adjustments and a jump in food and non-alcoholic drinks prices. Annual inflation dipped to 30.65%.

Speaking at an event in the southeastern province of Siirt, Yilmaz said ⁠the 45-point fall in inflation since May 2024 was not enough, adding the government was on a path to further lower consumer prices.

"We will maintain our tight monetary policy, we will keep our disciplined fiscal policies, we are determined to do this. But ⁠these are not enough either. On the other hand, we have to contribute to our battle with inflation through our supply-side policies," he added, according to Reuters.

Last month, Türkiye's central bank lowered its key interest rate by a less-than-expected 100 basis points to 37%, citing firming inflation, pricing behavior and expectations that threaten the disinflation process.

After a brief policy reversal early last year due to political turmoil, the bank's ⁠rate-cutting cycle resumed in July with a 300-basis-point cut, followed by more subsequent cuts.

The bank has eased by 1,300 points since 2024, when it held rates at 50% for most of the year to wrestle down inflation expectations.

Last month, the head of the Turkish Exporters Assembly told reporters late that Türkiye's extended period of tight economic policies had hurt manufacturers, with high interest rates and costs posing risks to the country's official $282 billion export target.


India, Malaysia Renew Pledges to Boost Trade and Collaboration

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Putrajaya on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Hasnoor Hussain / POOL / AFP)
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Putrajaya on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Hasnoor Hussain / POOL / AFP)
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India, Malaysia Renew Pledges to Boost Trade and Collaboration

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Putrajaya on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Hasnoor Hussain / POOL / AFP)
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Putrajaya on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Hasnoor Hussain / POOL / AFP)

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim renewed pledges on Sunday to bolster trade and explore potential collaborations in semiconductors, defense and other fields.

Modi is on a two-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation, his first since the two countries elevated ties to ⁠a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2024.

Anwar said the partnership included deep collaborations in multiple fields, including trade and investments, food security, defense, healthcare and tourism.

"It's really comprehensive, and we believe ⁠that we can advance this and execute in a speedy manner with the commitment of our both governments," he told a press conference after hosting Modi at his official residence in the administrative capital Putrajaya.

Following their meeting, Anwar and Modi also witnessed the exchange of 11 cooperation agreements, including ⁠on semiconductors, disaster management and peacekeeping, Reuters reported.

Anwar said India and Malaysia would continue efforts to promote the use of local-currency settlement for cross-border activities and expressed hope that bilateral trade would surpass last year's $18.6 billion.

Malaysia will also support India's efforts to open a consulate in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island, Anwar said.


Saudi Arabia, Syria Sign Joint Airline and Telecoms Deals

Officials pose after signing a framework agreement for developmental cooperation and the launch of 45 development initiatives between the Syrian Development Fund and Saudi Arabia's Development Committee at the People's Palace in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP)
Officials pose after signing a framework agreement for developmental cooperation and the launch of 45 development initiatives between the Syrian Development Fund and Saudi Arabia's Development Committee at the People's Palace in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP)
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Saudi Arabia, Syria Sign Joint Airline and Telecoms Deals

Officials pose after signing a framework agreement for developmental cooperation and the launch of 45 development initiatives between the Syrian Development Fund and Saudi Arabia's Development Committee at the People's Palace in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP)
Officials pose after signing a framework agreement for developmental cooperation and the launch of 45 development initiatives between the Syrian Development Fund and Saudi Arabia's Development Committee at the People's Palace in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP)

Syria and Saudi Arabia signed deals Saturday that include a joint airline and a $1-billion project to develop telecommunications, officials said, as Syria seeks to rebuild after years of war.

The new authorities in Damascus have worked to attract investment and have signed major agreements with several companies and governments.

Syrian Investment Authority chief Talal al-Hilali announced a series of deals including "a low-cost Syrian-Saudi airline aimed at strengthening regional and international air links".

The agreement also includes the development of a new international airport in the northern city of Aleppo, and redeveloping the existing facility.

Hilali also announced an agreement for a project called SilkLink to develop Syria's "telecommunications infrastructure and digital connectivity".

Syrian Telecommunications Minister Abdulsalam Haykal told the signing ceremony that the project would be implemented "with an investment of around $1 billion".

For decades, Syria was unable to secure significant investments because of Assad-era sanctions.

But the United States fully removed its remaining sanctions on Damascus late last year, paving the way for the full return of investments.

Syria and Saudi Arabia also inked an agreement on water desalination and development cooperation on Saturday.

At the ceremony, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih announced the launch of an investment fund for "major projects in Syria with the participation of the (Saudi) private sector".

The deals are part of "building a strategic partnership" between the two countries, he said.

Syria's Hilali said the agreements targeted "vital sectors that impact people's lives and form essential pillars for rebuilding the Syrian economy".

Syria has begun the mammoth task of trying to rebuild its shattered infrastructure and economy.

In July last year, Riyadh signed investment and partnership deals with Damascus valued at $6.4 billion to help rebuild the country's infrastructure, telecommunications and other major sectors.

A month later, Syria signed agreements worth more than $14 billion, including investments in Damascus airport and other transport and real estate projects.

This week, Syria signed a preliminary deal with US energy giant Chevron and Qatari firm Power International to explore for oil and gas offshore.