As the Future Investment Initiative kicks off in Riyadh today, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) announces the signing and exchange of 23 investment agreements, as part of the global investment platform's agenda. Totaling more than US$15 billion in value, these agreements were exchanged by signatories in a dedicated ceremony held at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh. Coordinated under Invest Saudi, these agreements reflect the enormous potential that Saudi Arabia offers to investors from across the Kingdom and around the world. Commenting on the agreements, His Excellency Ibrahim Al-Omar, Governor of SAGIA, said: "As Saudi Arabia welcomes investors and decision-makers from across the globe to this annual global investment platform, the agreements exchanged here today reflect the strength and diversity of the economy. Under Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is undergoing an ambitious program of economic reform, and the world is taking notice. This month, Saudi Arabia climbed 30 places in the World Bank's Doing Business 2020 report, becoming the most improved economy globally. The indicators are clear: Saudi Arabia is not only open for business, it's the economy of the future." These investments continute the positive momentum that Saudi Arabia has seen this year in terms of inward investment. According to Invest Saudi's Fall 2019 Investment Highlights report, which was launched on the sidelines of FII, over 250 overseas businesses were granted investor licenses Q3 2019. This marks a 30 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. In fact, 809 new foreign companies have established operations in Saudi Arabia, 67 per cent of which are for fully foreign ownership investments. This represents the highest number of foreign investor licenses issued by SAGIA since 2010. These investments come alongside a broad series of economic reforms, which are enabling rapid growth in foreign investment in Saudi Arabia. These reforms have had a significant impact. According to the 2019 Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum, Saudi Arabia has moved up three positions to the 36th place, globally, through its efforts to diversify the Kingdom's economy. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia also climbed 30 places in the World Bank's Doing Business report, rising to 62nd place and becoming the most improved economy globally. According to the report, Saudi Arabias's rise in the index was driven by key reforms including lifting foreign ownership resctrictions in a range of new sectors, while adopting faster and less complicated business registration procedures by introducing a one-stop shop for business registration. Agreements signed and exchanged at FII include: A US$700 milion investment deal between SAGIA and Modular Middle East, a prefabricated building solutions company, aimed at localizing its supply chain and developing its manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia. A US$300 million investment deal between SAGIA and ForDeal, a China-based online shopping platform to establish a regional distribution hub and localize their operations in Saudi Arabia. A US$200 million between SAGIA and London-based Shiloh Minerals. Shiloh aims to develop its local production capacity, as well as invest in potential upstream mining opportunities in Saudi Arabia. A US$120 million investment deal between SAGIA and BRF Brazil Foods, one of the biggest food companies globally, with over 30 brands in its portfolio. BRF plans to develop its local production capabilities in Saudi Arabia. A US$110 million investment deal between SAGIA and KME, one of the world's largest copper producers. With production capabilities in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China and the United States, KME plans to expand its manufacturing capacity into Saudi Arabia. A US$50 million investment deal between SAGIA and Xylem, a US-based water technology company. Xylem aims to establish a manufacturing and service center in Saudi Arabia for water and wastewater pumps, which would generate 300 jobs locally. A US$50 million agreement between SABIC and Baker Hughes aimed at developing local capacity, creating downstream business opportunities and industry diversification. A US$50 million agreement between Aurora Motors and Alkhorayef Group intended to introduce leading edge irrigation machinery systems and well drilling equipment, while creating up to 1,000 local jobs. A US$32 million agreement between SABIC and Taqnia aimed at developing smart grid solutions, as well as innovative wastewater and cooling technologies. A US$200 million agreement beween DTDC and Zajil to launch a pan-regional packaging e-commerce company based in Saudi Arabia. An MoU between Industrial Clusters and Eurofarma to conduct a feasibility study with the aim of investing up to US$110 million to develop local pharamaceutical production capacity. An MoU between Industrial Clusters and AERIS to conduct a feasibility study with the aim of investing up to US$100 million to develop sustainable wind energy capabiltiies in Saudi Arabia. An MoU between Industrial Clusters and Instituto Butantan to conduct a feasibility study with the aim of investing up to US$250 million to develop local vaccine production. A US$17.5 million deal between LT Foods/DAAWAT and SALIC aimed at deploying investments in agricultural and livestock production. A US$50 million deal between Fast Service and Extreme International to develop and launch a series of action and adventure sporting events across Saudi Arabia. An MoU between Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and ACWA Power to develop the US$11.45 billion Air Product Qudra project. A US$110 agreement deal between Saudi Aramco and AKER SAS, a Norwegian holding company engaged in offshore fishing, construction and engineering. An MoU between Saudi Aramco and APQ to form joint-venture valued at US$600 million. A US$200 milllion deal between Saudi Aramco and Dassault Systems, aimed at collaborating across diverse vectors including data analytics, project management and smart cities. A US$230 million agreement between Saudi Aramco and Baker Hughes around co-investment and co-development for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation. A US$74 million agreement between Saudi Aramco and BMT to establish a fittings and valves manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia. A US$1 billion deal between Saudi Aramco and Tubacex Group, aimed at investing in CRA pipe threading and weld overlay, and cladding manufacturing facilities in the Kingdom. A US$25 million deal between Saudi Aramco and Pultron to invest in developing manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia that will produce high-performance glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) pultrusion products.
