SAUDI Arabia’s foreign direct investment net inflows reached 24.9 billion riyals ($6.64bn) in the third quarter of this year, marking a 34.5 per cent increase from the same period in 2024, official data showed, reports the Arab News.
According to a report by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), net inflows also rose 5.2pc in the third quarter compared with the previous three months.
The increase reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to attract long-term foreign capital under its Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the economy beyond oil revenues. Under the programme, the kingdom is targeting $100bn in annual FDI by 2030.
GASTAT stated: “The value of FDI inflows amounted to about 27.7bn riyals during the third quarter of this year. It achieved an increase of 4.4pc compared to the third quarter of 2024, which was approximately 26.5bn riyals.”
The report added that FDI inflows rose 3.3pc in the third quarter compared with the previous three months.
Saudi Arabia has been implementing regulatory reforms, opening up sectors such as tourism, renewable energy, and technology to international investors, while launching initiatives through the Ministry of Investment to attract foreign capital.
According to GASTAT, FDI outflows amounted to about 2.7bn riyals in the third quarter, representing a 65.7pc decline from the same period in 2024. Compared with the second quarter, outflows fell 11.4pc.
In a separate release in September, GASTAT said FDI inflows rose 24pc in 2024 to 119bn riyals, even as global investment flows slowed. At the time, the Ministry of Investment said inflows had exceeded the National Investment Strategy’s annual target of 109bn riyals.
The ministry added that Saudi Arabia has surpassed its FDI goals for four consecutive years, with annual targets set to rise from 140bn riyals in 2025 to 388bn riyals by 2030.
Commenting earlier on the 2024 performance, Investment Minister Khalid Al Falih said the steady flow of foreign investment, despite global challenges, reflects the kingdom’s ability to navigate economic headwinds.
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