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Saudi-Thai Investment Forum Reveals Opening of Thailand BOI Office in Riyadh

The forum included several visual presentations showcasing key projects of the Saudi Vision 2030, the land bridge project in Thailand, and the role of relevant institutions from both countries in enabling the private sector to access investment opportunities - SPA
The forum included several visual presentations showcasing key projects of the Saudi Vision 2030, the land bridge project in Thailand, and the role of relevant institutions from both countries in enabling the private sector to access investment opportunities - SPA
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Saudi-Thai Investment Forum Reveals Opening of Thailand BOI Office in Riyadh

The forum included several visual presentations showcasing key projects of the Saudi Vision 2030, the land bridge project in Thailand, and the role of relevant institutions from both countries in enabling the private sector to access investment opportunities - SPA
The forum included several visual presentations showcasing key projects of the Saudi Vision 2030, the land bridge project in Thailand, and the role of relevant institutions from both countries in enabling the private sector to access investment opportunities - SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Investment, in collaboration with the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) and the Embassy of Thailand in Saudi Arabia, organized on Sunday the Saudi-Thai Investment Forum in Riyadh. The event was attended by Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Maris Sangiampongsa, several officials and CEOs of major companies, and representatives of the private sector from both countries.
In his opening speech, Al-Falih said: "Your visit comes two and a half years after the historic agreement between Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister and former Prime Minister of Thailand Prayuth Chan-ocha, to open a new chapter in our journey. This partnership, which took place here in Riyadh, has contributed to advancing trade relations between the two countries, and we hope to see this repeated through investment as well."
SPA quoted Al-Falih as saying: "Considering the strong relations between our peoples and the robust cooperation, there is nothing to prevent a leap in the Saudi-Thai partnership to reach its full potential. Early figures support this, as we have seen a steady increase in trade since the resumption of relations, reaching $7.5 billion in 2022 and about $9 billion in 2023. In travel and tourism, around 200,000 Saudis travelled to Thailand, and more than 30,000 Thai visitors came to Saudi Arabia last year."
The forum aims to enhance partnership between the two countries, increase investment and trade cooperation, and facilitate access to investment opportunities in all fields for companies and investors in Saudi Arabia and Thailand.
During the forum, the opening of the BOI office in Riyadh was announced to highlight the strategic partnership and enhance economic relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand and to expand trade exchange. The forum also witnessed the signing of 11 agreements and memoranda of understanding in various fields, including agriculture, food, tourism, infrastructure, and energy, to further boost commercial cooperation and develop trade and investment relations.
The forum included several visual presentations showcasing key projects of the Saudi Vision 2030, the land bridge project in Thailand, and the role of relevant institutions from both countries in enabling the private sector to access investment opportunities and linking quality investment opportunities with Saudi and Thai companies. Also, it aimed to enhance and develop cooperation in all fields and projects.
The forum's activities also included meetings and bilateral discussions among private sector representatives and a review of developments in the investment environment in Saudi Arabia and Thailand.
The manufacturing sector ranked first in terms of the stock of Thai investments in Saudi Arabia for 2022, accounting for 56.7% of the total stock of Thai investments in the Kingdom. Meanwhile, the mining and minerals exploitation sector ranked first in terms of the flow of Thai investments into the Kingdom for 2022, accounting for 73.4% of the total flow of Thai investments into Saudi Arabia.

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Saudi-Ukraine Joint Business Council Poised for Major Trade Opportunities

Continental Farms Ukraine, owned by Saudi firm SALIC (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Continental Farms Ukraine, owned by Saudi firm SALIC (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi-Ukraine Joint Business Council Poised for Major Trade Opportunities

Continental Farms Ukraine, owned by Saudi firm SALIC (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Continental Farms Ukraine, owned by Saudi firm SALIC (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia and Ukraine are looking to their revived Joint Business Council, set to be reestablished this year, to unlock economic, investment, and trade opportunities.
With Kyiv facing an energy crisis in the wake of its ongoing conflict, Riyadh is poised to step in and help meet its energy needs. In return, Saudi Arabia is seeking key food imports from Ukraine, including various types of meat and grains.
The two countries announced the revival of the council in a joint statement on Tuesday during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s official visit to the kingdom.
Both sides discussed the strength of their economic ties and underscored the importance of joint efforts to boost trade, which grew by 9% last year. They agreed on the need to overcome challenges hindering commercial relations.
Bilateral trade exceeded SAR 1.72 billion ($459.2 million) in 2023, with key exchanged goods including meat, edible offal, plastics and related products, live animals and animal products, as well as grains.
Experts believe Saudi Arabia and Ukraine are counting on their revived Joint Business Council to unlock significant economic opportunities.
They highlight Kyiv’s urgent need for energy, particularly natural gas, which it previously imported from Russia, while Saudi Arabia seeks to secure key food supplies, especially grains, from Ukraine.
Fadl Al-Buainain, a member of Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the council will play a crucial role in boosting investment opportunities between the two countries. He noted that Ukraine will prioritize cooperation in Saudi Arabia’s energy sector, given its severe energy shortages following the Russia-Ukraine war.
Kyiv, he said, is particularly focused on securing gas supplies and may later explore collaboration on nuclear reactors and coal.
On the Saudi side, the kingdom is looking to invest in promising sectors aligned with its Vision 2030 goals, particularly those linked to strategic and food security, Al-Buainain said.
He emphasized that Ukraine has strong capabilities in meat, grain, and other food production, making it an attractive partner for Riyadh, which has already invested in Ukraine’s agricultural sector.
Al-Buainain also pointed to Saudi-Ukrainian partnerships in the defense industry and stressed that Kyiv will require extensive reconstruction and infrastructure development once the war ends—an area where both countries stand to benefit from enhanced cooperation under the revived business council.