In pictures: Future Investment Initiatives conference in Riyadh
Global business leaders, investors and public officials flocked to the Saudi capital on Tuesday for the opening of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) investment conference held by the national Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Unveiling blueprints for a futuristic landscape with robots and driverless cars, Saudi Arabia's young crown prince outlined his most emphatic vision yet to transform the ultra-conservative kingdom as he sought to charm investors. “Saudi Arabia had made good progress in initiating its ambitious reform agenda. Fiscal consolidation efforts are beginning to bear fruit,” Lagarde said in a statement. "We want to live a normal life. A life in which our religion translates to tolerance, to our traditions of kindness," he told international investors gathered at an economic forum in Riyadh. "We are returning to what we were before - a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions, traditions and people around the globe," he said. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) and US journalist Maria Bartiromo attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017. The Crown Prince pledged a 'moderate, open' Saudi Arabia, breaking with ultra-conservative clerics in favour of an image catering to foreign investors and Saudi youth. 'We are returning to what we were before -- a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions and to the world,' he said at the economic forum in Riyadh. Managing Director of International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde (L) looks at the President and CEO of the Saudi Oil Company Aramco Amin Nasser (R) as he speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017. The head of oil giant Saudi Aramco said that a lack of recent investments in the oil sector could lead to a shortage of supplies. Saudi managing director of the Public Investment Fund Yasir Al-Rumayyan (L) smiles towards Managing Director of International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017. The head of oil giant Saudi Aramco said that a lack of recent investments in the oil sector could lead to a shortage of supplies. Saudi Energy and Oil Minister Khalid Al-Falih arrives to attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on October 24, 2017. The head of oil giant Saudi Aramco said that a lack of recent investments in the oil sector could lead to a shortage of supplies. A Saudi man chats with a robot on the sidelines of the three-day Future Investment Initiatives conference in Riyadh, on October 25, 2017. Saudi Arabia, smarting from a years-long oil crunch, said it aims to nearly double the assets of its Public Investment Fund by 2020 through launching a programme of investment initiatives. Participants attend the three-day Future Investment Initiatives conference in Riyadh, on October 25, 2017. Saudi Arabia, smarting from a years-long oil crunch, said it aims to nearly double the assets of its Public Investment Fund by 2020 through launching a programme of investment initiatives.
