Analysis Renewable Energy Startup touts alternative EV batteries for Saudi industry A startup developing non-lithium batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) says they are better suited to Gulf climates where flammability is a risk. But industry experts say it will be difficult to penetrate the car industry where lithium options are baked into budgets. Mukesh Chatter, founder of Alsym Energy, argued his case to regional political and […] November 1, 2023
Video length: 05:38 VIDEO Banking & Finance Standard Chartered chief aims for ‘100 years’ in Egypt As Standard Chartered plans its expansion into Egypt, the company’s regional CEO warns that the region “is not immune” to global economic turmoil. “If there is going to be a steep recession in the US and Europe, then the impact will be felt here,” said Sunil Kaushal, CEO of Standard Chartered Africa and Middle East, […] October 31, 2023
VIDEO FII A look inside the Future Investment Initiative Energy transition, artificial intelligence and the burgeoning role of the Global South were just some of the key themes covered at the seventh edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Held under the theme “The New Compass”, the three-day conference concluded with total investments worth $17.9 billion made. FII 2023 […] October 27, 2023
Opinion Infrastructure Riyadh can become a global city – with a little more effort When it comes to business travel, the city remains a trying place to negotiate October 27, 2023
FII Trade Saudi Arabia to enforce 2024 regional HQ deadline The January 2024 deadline for global companies to move their regional headquarters to Saudi Arabia will be implemented without delay as scheduled, the kingdom’s finance minister has confirmed. Saudi Arabia announced in February 2021 that it will no longer sign contracts with foreign companies that do not have a regional headquarters in the country before […] October 26, 2023
FII Economy Egypt targets $35bn foreign investment in next five years Egypt expects foreign direct investment of $35 billion over the next five years as the government aims to boost economic growth. The government aims to attract around $12 billion in foreign direct investment in 2023/2024, with a projected annual increase of 15 percent and 20 percent, Egypt Today reported, citing General Authority of Free Zones […] October 26, 2023
FII Banking & Finance Neom investment fund backs US futuristic transport firms The newly launched investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion futuristic giga-project Neom has made its first commitments, backing two US-based transport companies. The Neom Investment Fund (NIF) announced on Wednesday that it had made a $100 million investment in the global autonomous driving company Pony.ai. A joint venture will be set up between the […] October 25, 2023
Video length: 07:23 FII Banking & Finance World Bank to Wall Street, FII attracts financial elite Slickly choreographed dancers clad in futuristic outfits and a teenage boy in a shiny tuxedo singing a power ballad set the stage for the seventh Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, and all at nine o’clock in the morning. However, there were immediately more serious themes at play at the event, which opened on Tuesday. […] October 25, 2023
FII Tourism Red Sea Global links up with Kingdom for $530m resort Red Sea Global and Kingdom Holding Company have agreed a SAR2 billion ($530 million) joint venture to develop and own a Four Seasons resort at the Red Sea giga-project. The luxury development, scheduled to open in early 2025, will be built on Shura Island, the main hub of the 22-island giga-project. The Four Seasons resort […] October 24, 2023
FII Logistics Neom and Denmark’s DSV in $10bn logistics partnership Saudi Arabia’s Neom and Danish freight forwarder DSV have entered into a $10 billion logistics joint venture (JV) that will serve the $500 billion giga-project in the kingdom’s northwest. The JV will provide supply chain management including delivering goods and materials to Neom, the companies said in a joint statement. Neom, owned by Saudi Arabia’s […] October 24, 2023
Opinion Banking & Finance FII flexes its convening power in tumultuous times It is one of the world's premier investment gatherings – but this year's event could be unlike any other October 23, 2023
Economy Chinese ‘decision makers’ at Saudi conference doubles Around 300 Chinese “decision makers” are attending Saudi Arabia’s flagship investment conference this year, organisers said on Thursday, double last year’s attendance as Riyadh deepens its relationship with China despite US concerns. Only around 15 people have cancelled their attendance of the annual Future Investment Initiative (FII), Richard Attias, CEO of the FII Institute said, […] October 20, 2023
Opinion Leisure & Hospitality Putting on the Ritz in Riyadh – with a frisson of fear The hotel still gets an instant reaction from visitors who don’t know the city very well October 13, 2023
Opinion Banking & Finance Soft diplomacy rose to new levels at Saudi Arabia’s sixth FII forum The Future Investment Initiative was a networking forum for entrepreneurs and leaders shaping the global economy October 28, 2022
Energy Riyadh was more ‘mature’ in spat with Washington, minister tells FII Saudi Arabia decided to be the “maturer guys” in a spat with the United States over oil supplies, the kingdom’s energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday. Prince Abdulaziz made the comment during his speech to the kingdom’s Future Investment Initiative (FII) event, which has drawn top executives from the US and elsewhere. […] October 25, 2022
