Foreign investment to outperform in 2025, 12 regional HQs open monthly: Al-Falih

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said that foreign investment in 2025 will be much better than last year, indicating that the Kingdom is keen to attract high-quality and value-added foreign investments.

In an interview with Al Arabiya TV, Al-Falih added that the Kingdom continues to attract foreign investment despite weak figures in global markets.

According to the Minister, the number of foreign companies registered in Saudi Arabia rose to 52,000, compared to nearly 5,000 companies upon the launch of Saudi Vision 2030.

He also indicated that the Investment Ministry conducted a survey of these companies to explore their plans, and the results showed that they plan to invest more than SAR 500 billion over the next five years.

Moreover, the number of regional headquarters (HQs) for foreign companies in the Kingdom has reached 660, compared to the 2030 target of 500. The Ministry issues regional headquarters licenses at a rate of 10 to 12 companies per month, with expectations that the number of regional headquarters will exceed 1,000 within some years, Al-Falih said.

These companies will be a catalyst and driver for the rest of the Saudi economic ecosystem and will invest with Saudi companies locally, regionally, and globally, he added.

The Minister also highlighted the global uncertainty and economic slowdown pertaining to the structure of the future economy amidst the tensions in global trade. “Companies are investing with a lower percentage of capital, contributing technologies, intellectual property, and franchises in several countries, rather than investing a high percentage of capital. This has resulted in a decline in global investment flows in recent years,” according to Al-Falih.

Saudi Arabia registered a high growth rate of 24% in foreign investment inflows, compared to a 10% decline globally. Compared to investments prior to Vision 2030, and even with the presence of major foreign investment, we find that in the last three years, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have tripled. This strong pace of growth is built on fundamentals, not promises or marketing, the Minister stated.

According to Argaam’s data, Saudi Arabia's FDI inflows reached SAR 119 billion in 2024, marking a 24% increase compared to SAR 96 billion in 2023. FDI grew by 9% in 2024 to reach SAR 977 billion, up from SAR 897 billion in 2023.