Saudi unveils strategy to attract annual FDI worth $103.4 bn
SAUDI Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday launched the National Investment Strategy, which seeks to net 388 billion riyals ( 103.47bn) in foreign direct investments annually, according to state-run Saudi News Agency.
The kingdom also expects to increase its domestic investment to about SAR 1.7 trillion by 2030 under the new strategy, which aims to further power the country’s economic diversification.
“Today, we are proud of the remarkable achievements made in the ‘Kingdom of Opportunities’ during the first phase of Vision 2030, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,” Prince Mohammed said.
“Our country has huge investment capabilities, and we will seek to be an engine for our economy and an additional resource for our country.”
Saudi Arabia, Opec’s top oil exporter, is focused on diversifying the economy under its Vision 2030 programme, which aims to cut its dependence on hydrocarbons and develop local industries and manufacturing capabilities.
The National Investment Strategy, which is one of the main pillars of the Vision 2030 programme, is expected to contribute to the growth of the local economy and diversification of its resources.
As per the strategy, Saudi Arabia’s aim to increase the contribution of the private sector to its gross domestic product to 5 per cent and increase FDI’s share to 5.7 per cent of its GDP. The strategy also aims to increase the proportion of nonoil exports from 1 per cent to 50 per cent, reduce the unemployment rate to 7 per cent and advance the kingdom to one of the top 10 positions in the Global Competitiveness Index by 2030.
“Today, the kingdom begins a new investment phase based on our success in increasing the number and quality of opportunities for Saudi and international investors to empower the private sector and provide it with huge opportunities,” Prince Mohammed said.
“Investment is one of the means that will help us achieve the ambitions and aspirations of the kingdom’s Vision 2030, including the development, diversification and sustainability of the economy, the transfer, and localisation of technology, infrastructure development, improving the quality of life, providing job opportunities, refining the skills of our human resources and enhancing their capabilities, to leave a legacy of prosperity for tomorrow’s generations.”
Saudi Arabia also plans to establish special economic zones with competitive regulations and incentives to attract investment in priority sectors. It will also form a programme to transfer strategic supply chains to the kingdom to acquire a market share in supply chain components and diversify funding options for the private sector.