Saudi’s Eastern Province attracts SAR 57B in FDI inflows in 2025: Minister

Minister of Investment Fahad Al-Saif 

Minister of Investment Fahad Al-Saif said foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the Eastern Province reached SAR 57 billion in 2025, noting that the region accounts for nearly 38% of foreign investments in the Kingdom.

Speaking at a meeting at the Asharqia Chamber, Al-Saif said the region has 10,980 active investment licenses, representing 13% of the Kingdom's total, with 57% focused on construction and manufacturing.

He added that the region's gross domestic product (GDP) reached SAR 1.47 trillion in 2025, while its cumulative contribution to gross fixed capital formation in the Kingdom stood at nearly SAR 2 trillion.

Al-Saif stressed that the priority in the next phase is to accelerate the conversion of investment opportunities into actual projects, diversify investments, deepen value chains and enhance their productivity. He noted that the region is well-positioned to serve as a national hub for industry, mining and logistics, as well as a regional platform for expansion and exports.

The minister emphasized that domestic investors form the backbone of the investment ecosystem, while foreign investment complements their role and serves as a source of technology, knowledge and expertise.

Al-Saif added that the ministry is focused on enabling national companies to expand into new sectors and connecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with investment opportunities and supply chains.

The minister also highlighted the role of chambers of commerce as key channels for identifying private-sector needs, adding that the ministry is working to communicate investors' priorities to government entities and follow up on efforts to address them.