Al-Saif: 780 global firms establish regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia as foreign investor licenses surge 110%

RIYADH — Minister of Investment Fahad Al-Saif announced a 110 percent year-on-year increase in the number of licenses issued to foreign investors in the Kingdom. He also revealed that the number of regional headquarters established by global companies in Saudi Arabia has reached 780, underscoring the accelerating momentum in attracting international investments and further consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a premier destination for global companies and a regional business hub. He made the remarks while speaking via video conference at the BNP Paribas Global Markets Conference in London. The conference is a flagship annual event gathering hundreds of institutional investors, corporate executives, economists, and policymakers to discuss global markets, economics, geopolitics, and investment strategies. Al-Saif said foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the Kingdom surged by 33 percent in 2025, driven by growing investor confidence in the Saudi economy and the continued implementation of economic and legislative reforms designed to enhance the competitiveness of the investment environment. The minister noted that the Kingdom’s GDP has doubled over the past decade, while the Saudi economy recorded growth of 5.2 percent in the first half of 2026. This performance coincides with continued progress in achieving economic diversification objectives, strengthening financial sustainability, and maintaining fiscal balance. Al-Saif said that the next phase of the National Investment Strategy will mark a qualitative shift in priorities, with greater emphasis on boosting productivity, enhancing investment quality, and developing integrated industrial clusters connected to global value chains and international supply networks. These efforts are aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of economic sectors and expanding their contribution to economic growth. The minister explained that the Kingdom is transitioning from a phase focused on promoting investment opportunities to a more advanced stage centered on attracting capital, ensuring its efficient deployment, and maximizing its economic and developmental returns. This transition will further advance Saudi Arabia’s ambition to establish itself as a global economic and capital hub. He further pointed out that sectors experiencing strong investment momentum will take center stage in the priorities of the coming phase, particularly manufacturing, mining, communications and information technology, transportation, and logistics. These priorities will be complemented by investments in infrastructure development, accelerated digital transformation, and expanded opportunities associated with energy transition pathways. Addressing the financial sector, Al-Saif revealed that the depth of the Kingdom’s financial markets has surpassed SR1.4 trillion. “The Ministry of Investment is working to strengthen and develop investment banking capabilities, helping facilitate the completion of deals, connect investors with decision-makers, and enhance liquidity in the financial markets,” he said. The minister stressed that Saudi Vision 2030 has marked a pivotal turning point in the trajectory of the national economy, significantly enhancing the Kingdom’s appeal to global investors. He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s continued commitment to its efforts to transform Saudi Arabia into a leading global investment hub.