‘We need to invest in emotions, invest in happiness,’ FIFA President Gianni Infantino tells FII
Riyadh
Future Investment Initiative
‘Don’t have a war,’ Ray Dalio tells FII, saying peace key to prosperity
If nations educate well, maintain civility, ensure productivity for most and steer clear of war “you’ll have a successful society,” Dalio says at FII
archer aviation
EXCLUSIVE: Archer Aviation in advanced talks to bring air taxis to Saudi Arabia
Archer Aviation aims to make its flying taxis as affordable as an Uber, though CEO Adam Goldstein says early Saudi operations will start at the premium end before scaling to wider use
Aviation
Delta becomes the first American airline to fly non-stop to Riyadh
The Atlanta-Riyadh flight, scheduled to begin from October 2026, will operate three times weekly on Airbus A350-900
Davos in the Desert
Saudi to scale back state spending, boost private investment as startups draw $1bn – minister Al-Falih
Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih says Saudi is entering a new phase of economic diversification, with $1 billion deployed into startups and 60% of Middle East venture funding now originating in the kingdom
Davos in the Desert
Saudi Arabia’s FII drives $250 billion in deals since 2017, says PIF governor
Yasir Al-Rumayyan says $31.7 billion in FDI flowed into Saudi Arabia in 2024, up 24% year on year, as the kingdom deepens global economic engagement amid rising optimism in the Global South
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Syrian president to address Saudi investment summit in Riyadh
President Ahmad Al-Sharaa will attend the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh on Tuesday as Syria seeks foreign investment to rebuild its economy
Barclays
Barclays looking to re-enter Saudi Arabia with office in Riyadh
The British bank had exited the country in 2014; “Investment flows used to head out of the region, and now there’s a lot coming back” says the CEO
Coca-Cola Arena
Western outrage over Riyadh’s comedy festival misses the point
Maybe the real problem isn’t that Saudis are laughing – it’s about who controls the punchline
diamond industry
Lab-grown diamond jeweller Astrea eyes Saudi expansion amid surging Gulf demand
“We have been lied to for years that diamonds are rare,” says CEO Natalie Morrison
Private Credit
Saudi Venture Capital to increase allocation to private credit funds
Saudi Venture Capital will allocate half of its investments to private credit and equity, up from about a third last year
Financial Services
Goldman scales regional offering with onshore private banking services in KSA
The firm will work in partnership with its Asset Management and Global Banking and Markets businesses in the region
Agon Capital
Agon Capital courts Saudi partners as Precision Football targets Vision 2030 sports boom, CEO says
Exclusive: UAE investment group in talks with ministries and private investors as it targets growth in Saudi Arabia’s fast-developing sports and lifestyle sector
Abu Dhabi
China EV slowdown frees up supply, floods Gulf with more car models at sharper prices in UAE, Saudi
Excess Chinese factory capacity unlocks Gulf EV boom as Saudi sales jump 1000%, penetration doubles regionwide
Jeddah
Saudi rent freeze, $17.5bn Riyadh sales, foreign ownership rules, startups surge – 10 key KSA stories this week
Saudi Arabia freezes rents in Riyadh, property sales hit $17.5bn, foreign ownership rules may change, and startups surge – 10 key KSA stories this week
Expo 2030
Riyadh builds global city status with 7,200 smart infrastructure push ahead of Saudi mega events
Riyadh advances urban infrastructure with 7,200 projects, 800,000 km of service networks, and smart city upgrades as it prepares for Expo 2030 and FIFA 2034 in Saudi Arabia
Cavendish Maxwell
Riyadh property sales jump 63% to $17.5bn; Jeddah up 34% in Saudi real estate surge
Riyadh property sales hit $17.5bn in H1 2025, up 63% year-on-year, as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 fuels demand. Jeddah also sees sharp rises in sales, rents and supply
