Saudi Arabia Strengthens Global Investment Appeal Through Vision 2030 Reforms - Business Today Middle East
Saudi Arabia is reinforcing its position as a leading global investment destination, leveraging its strategic location and the continued implementation ofSaudi Vision 2030to accelerate economic. . .
Saudi Arabia is reinforcing its position as a leading global investment destination, leveraging its strategic location and the continued implementation ofSaudi Vision 2030to accelerate economic diversification and attract international capital. As the Kingdom enters the third phase ofVision 2030 (2026–2030), its focus has shifted toward aligning long-term financial planning with regional development strategies to drive sustainable economic growth. A key pillar of this transformation is theNational Investment Strategy (NIS), which aims to increase the private sector’s contribution to GDP to65%, raiseforeign direct investment (FDI)to5. 7% of GDP, and grow the share ofnon-oil exportsfrom16% to 50%of non-oil GDP. These reforms have delivered strong results. FDI inflows increased 14% in 2025 to SAR136 billion, representing a fivefold rise compared with 2017, while the Kingdom’s totalFDI stock grew 13% to approximately SAR1. 1 trillion. According to theUnited Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report, Saudi Arabia ranked13th globally among the largest recipients of FDI in 2025, supported by a53% increase in net FDI inflows to SAR122 billion. The Kingdom has also issued licenses tomore than 700 international companiesto establish regional headquarters inRiyadh. Foreign private investment (FPI) has also gained significant momentum. A report by theSaudi Venture Capital Company (SVC)showed thatFPI inflows into Saudi private markets reached SAR20 billion ($5. 3 billion) in 2025, accounting for60% of total private investment. Since 2019, international investors have committedmore than SAR40 billion ($11 billion)to Saudi private markets, helping the Kingdom retain its position as thelargest venture capital market in the MENA regionfor the third consecutive year. During the same period, the number of international investors increased from28 to 148. Saudi Venture Capital Company CEO Nora Alsarhansaid the Kingdom’s private investment market has matured considerably, with investment activity expanding beyond fintech and e-commerce into priority sectors such as healthcare. She also highlighted the growth of mid-market transactions and private credit, noting that SVC has committed capital tomore than 67 venture capital, private equity, and private debt fundsto attract international investment. Meanwhile,Riyadh Chamber of Commerce First Vice Chairman Abdullah Alkhorayefsaid Saudi Arabia has evolved beyond simply competing for capital and is now attracting high-quality investments that support technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and job creation. He added that continued legislative reforms have strengthened investor confidence, while the Chamber remains committed to supporting businesses and facilitating the integration of international investors into the Saudi economy.