Investment

Saudi Arabia has launched a 5 percent Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT) starting April 10, aimed at supporting economic diversification. This new tax is applicable to all property transactions, including residential, commercial, and industrial, regardless of their development status or ownership type. It also covers undocumented transactions. Property transfers must be registered via the RETT platform on the Zakat, Tax...

Accesso Technology Group PLC has been selected as the guest experience technology provider for the Qiddiya entertainment project in Saudi Arabia. Located southwest of Riyadh, Qiddiya covers over 300 square kilometers and is a key part of Saudi Vision 2030. It will feature attractions such as the Six Flags Qiddiya theme park and the Aquarabia water park. Accesso will implement...

Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to attract foreign investment as it approaches the final stages of its Vision 2030 plan, aimed at reducing reliance on oil and modernizing the nation’s economy. In recent years, the kingdom has implemented sweeping social and economic reforms, including granting women more freedoms, legalizing entertainment venues, and welcoming international visitors. Since 2019, tourism has surged,...

Boxing has experienced a major turnaround after a period of decline marked by disputes among promoters and frustrated fans. The sport's resurgence is largely attributed to significant financial backing from Saudi Arabia. This renewed investment has revitalized global boxing events, drawing attention to the Kingdom's growing presence in the sports world. However, opinions remain divided over whether this involvement is...

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, along with five other major funds in the Gulf, is expected to manage $18 trillion in assets by 2030, reflecting a 50% increase from 2024. This surge underscores the region’s growing influence, as Gulf funds now account for about 40% of global sovereign wealth assets. According to recent analysis, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is...

Saudi Arabia is intensifying efforts to diversify its economy by attracting foreign investors and reducing reliance on state funding. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is implementing a new strategy, aligned with Vision 2030, to manage $40 billion in upcoming debt and projected spending of $70 billion in 2025. Key PIF subsidiaries like NEOM and Avis may take on debt obligations,...

TBS Holding from Egypt has formed a strategic alliance with Saudi-based Shahia Investments to expand their reach in Saudi Arabia and neighboring regions. The collaboration centers on building a state-of-the-art bakery facility in Saudi Arabia, targeting the growing market for premium baked goods while aiming to boost economic growth in both countries. The new plant, set to begin operations in...

Saudi Arabia is reportedly planning to establish a substantial $40 billion fund dedicated to artificial intelligence investments. This initiative, as reported by the New York Times, aims to position the Kingdom as a significant player in the AI sector. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is in discussions with the US venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, exploring potential collaborations. Talks...

The Saudi Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA), in partnership with the National Centre for Privatisation & PPP (NCP), has selected five companies for the Customs Warehouses Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project. This initiative involves developing and managing Customs Warehouses at 38 entry points throughout Saudi Arabia under a 15-year Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain, and Transfer (DBFOMT) contract. The prequalified...

Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal's Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) is considering investing in TikTok if it becomes available for purchase. CEO Talal Ibrahim al-Maiman expressed this interest in an interview, highlighting that KHC is open to such opportunities, especially if Elon Musk or others initiate a buyout. The U.S. is still seeking a buyer for TikTok, the Chinese-owned video app,...

Canadian companies are increasingly interested in investing in Saudi Arabia's healthcare sector, with 40 firms considering opportunities as economic ties between the two nations strengthen. This interest was evident during a healthcare event in Riyadh organized by the Federation of Saudi Chambers, which highlighted available investment opportunities. Saudi Arabia aims to increase private sector involvement in healthcare to 25% by...

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, along with the Ministry of Investment, has announced that six companies have qualified in the initial phase of the Exploration Enablement Programme (EEP). This initiative, detailed in a recent announcement, seeks to enhance the exploration of critical minerals in the Kingdom while mitigating investment risks in the mining sector. The companies that...

Saudi Arabia is making a strategic move to invest in Pakistan's Reko Diq project, one of the world's upcoming largest copper mines. This initiative is part of the kingdom's broader expansion into the mining sector. Manara Minerals, a Saudi investment fund, is set to acquire a 10-20% stake in the $9 billion project, which is under development by Barrick Gold....

Saudi Arabia's Growing ETF Market Saudi Arabia is increasingly leveraging exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to bolster its capital markets. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has invested $200 million in a new ETF by State Street Global Advisors, marking the first Saudi bond ETF listed in Europe or the US. This fund offers exposure to both US dollar-denominated Saudi bonds and local...

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to unveil a massive investment drive aimed at injecting over $100 billion into its thriving aviation sector. This initiative will cover various areas including airports, airlines, ground services, cargo, and logistics. Of the total investment, more than $50 billion is earmarked for airport development, roughly $40 billion for new aircraft acquisitions, and an...

Saudi Aramco, the globe's leading oil company, is set to enhance its investments in lithium production. This move is part of a strategic effort to establish a supply chain for a metal crucial to electric car batteries. Currently, China dominates around two-thirds of the lithium processing market. However, there's a growing trend among Western and Middle Eastern enterprises to develop...

Saudi Arabia Nears Investment in Sports Network DAZN Saudi Arabia is reportedly close to investing over $1 billion in DAZN, a sports network backed by billionaire Len Blavatnik, as part of its strategy to expand its influence in global sports. The potential deal would see Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund acquire up to a 10% stake in DAZN, a platform...

Saudi Arabia's Surj Sports Investment Teams Up with Enfield Investment Saudi Arabia's Surj Sports Investment Co. has forged a strategic alliance with Enfield Investment Partners from the US to broaden their reach in the global sports industry. This partnership aligns with Enfield's recent unveiling of a $4 billion fund dedicated to sports investments. The collaboration will target key sectors such...

Surj Sports Investment Partners with Enfield to Expand Global Sports Ventures Saudi Arabia's Surj Sports Investment Co. has formed a strategic alliance with Enfield Investment Partners, a US-based firm, to enhance investments in the international sports sector. This partnership is in line with Enfield's recent introduction of a $4 billion global fund focused on acquiring sports assets. The collaboration aims...

Ivanhoe Electric Inc., in collaboration with Saudi Arabian Mining Company Ma'aden, has reported promising initial results from its joint venture exploration activities in Saudi Arabia. The focus is on the Umm Ad Dabah prospect, close to Ma'aden's Al Amar mine, using Ivanhoe Electric's advanced TyphoonTM geophysical technology. The joint venture's drilling efforts have intersected copper mineralization at significant depths in...

Public Investment Fund Acquires 23% of Saudi Re to Boost Insurance Sector The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia has secured a 23.08% stake in Saudi Reinsurance Co. This acquisition, achieved through a capital increase and subscription to new shares, elevates the company's capital from SR891 million to SR1.15 billion. This strategic move aims to enhance Saudi Re's financial...

Saudi Arabia's Investment Milestone Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in attracting global companies to establish regional headquarters within its borders. Investment Minister Eng. Khalid Al-Falih announced that 571 international firms have been licensed to set up in the Kingdom, with a focus on the King Abdullah Financial Center in Riyadh. The majority of these companies hail from the industrial...

The Saudi Investment Promotion Authority has entered a partnership with Japan's Mizuho Bank Ltd. to boost investment opportunities between Saudi Arabia and Japan. This collaboration, marked by a memorandum of understanding, was formalized by Assistant Minister of Investment Ibrahim bin Yousef Al-Mubarak and Mizuho Bank's CEO Masahiko Kato. This agreement aims to leverage the authority's expertise to support Japanese companies...

The Saudi Investment Promotion Authority has signed an agreement with Japan's Mizuho Bank to boost investment opportunities between Saudi Arabia and Japan. This memorandum of understanding was formalized by Ibrahim bin Yousef Al-Mubarak, Assistant Minister of Investment, and Masahiko Kato, CEO of Mizuho Bank. Under this agreement, the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority will offer expertise and information to facilitate Japanese...

Saudi Arabia Introduces Incentive Program for Industrial Investment Saudi Arabia is launching a SR10 billion ($2.66 billion) incentive initiative to boost industrial investments, as announced by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Alkhorayef. The program is designed to be adaptable, focusing on sectors with high import reliance and limited local production. The plan supports up to 35% of a...

Falak Angels, a Saudi angel investment network, has teamed up with Kassim Legal, a law firm specializing in startups, to enhance legal support for investors and partners. This move aims to simplify investments and boost the entrepreneurial scene in Saudi Arabia. Kassim Legal will help register syndication investment vehicles, allowing for cost-effective SPV setups. They will also assist in creating...

Saudi Arabia's venture capital scene is off to a strong start in 2025, maintaining its lead in the region. Zension Technologies secured $30 million in Series A funding led by Wa’ed Ventures, joined by Sumitomo Corporation and Global Ventures. Founded in 2018, Zension offers protection services for electronics across Saudi and UAE markets, with plans to launch a new service,...

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is projected to become the world's second-largest sovereign wealth fund by 2030, managing assets worth $2 trillion, according to Global SWF. This would mark a significant increase from its current $925 billion, positioning it as a major player in global investment. By 2030, PIF is expected to hold 10.5% of global sovereign wealth assets,...

Saudi Arabia Eyes New Boxing League with TKO Partnership Saudi Arabia, already a major investor in boxing, is planning to collaborate with TKO, the owner of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), to establish a new boxing league. This move highlights the kingdom's ongoing commitment to expanding its presence in professional sports. The potential deal involves Sela, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's...

Saudi Arabia has dramatically increased its investment licenses, issuing over 36,000, a five-fold rise since the Vision 2030 initiative began. This growth is part of the Kingdom's efforts to boost foreign direct investment through the Invest Saudi initiative. In 2024, the issuance of entrepreneurial licenses surged by 118% compared to the previous year, with wholesale and retail trade permits rising...