Saudi Arabia to reveal $100bn in investment opportunities at aviation forum

Aviation suppliers will be briefed on expansion plans for new airline Riyadh Air, as well as leading regional airlines including Saudia, Flynas and Flyadeal. (Riyadh Air)
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Updated 19 May 2024
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Saudi Arabia to reveal $100bn in investment opportunities at aviation forum

  • Minister for Transport and Logistics Services Saleh-Al-Jasser: Saudi Arabia is presenting aviation investment opportunities that are unmatched globally
  • Minister for Investment Khalid Al-Falih: Aviation is a key investment sector and enabler of the Kingdom’s broader economic transformation

RIYADH: The world’s largest aviation investors will descend on Riyadh later this month for the Future Aviation Forum, where Saudi Arabia will unveil more than $100 billion in investment opportunities to enable its ambitious Saudi Aviation Strategy.

The forum’s investment showcase will highlight projects and incentives to attract investment into the Kingdom’s booming aviation sector, including airports, airlines, ground services, cargo and logistics.

In the $100 billion in investment opportunities, airports account for more than $50 billion, new aircraft orders about $40 billion, while the remaining $10 billion is earmarked for other projects, including $5 billion in special logistics areas around the main airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

Minister for Transport and Logistics Services Saleh-Al-Jasser, who will open FAF24, said: “Saudi Arabia is presenting aviation investment opportunities that are unmatched globally, as the Saudi Aviation Strategy triples passenger numbers, connects to more than 250 destinations and handles 330 million passengers and 4.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2030.”

Minister for Investment Khalid Al-Falih, who will open the investment showcase, added: “Saudi Arabia is the world’s new investment hub, targeting $3.3 trillion in investment by 2030. Aviation is a key investment sector and enabler of the Kingdom’s broader economic transformation. The aviation investment showcase will provide investors with unparalleled access to participate in the Kingdom’s transformation.”

The showcase will include investor briefings, meetings and panels on major projects including the six-runway King Salman International Airport in Riyadh and public private partnerships for Abha, Taif, Hail and Qassim international airports. The showcase will also feature opportunities in cargo and logistics, advanced air mobility and business aviation. Aviation suppliers will be briefed on expansion plans for new airline Riyadh Air, as well as leading regional airlines including Saudia, Flynas and Flyadeal.

Global executives from Boeing, Airbus, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, and Embraer will attend the event, alongside investors and representatives from airlines, airports, cargo, logistics and aviation services companies. Speakers include Saudi ministers as well as Saudi and global aviation and investment CEOs.

The Future Aviation Forum runs from May 20-22 in Riyadh. For more information, visit www.futureaviationforum.com


Ceer to sign deals worth $990m at PIF Private Sector Forum

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Ceer to sign deals worth $990m at PIF Private Sector Forum

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s first homegrown electric vehicle brand Ceer is expected to sign 16 agreements valued at SR3.7 billion ($990 million) at the PIF Private Sector Forum, said the company’s CEO. 

Speaking at the forum, James DeLuca said that 90 percent of these agreements are not memorandums of understanding, but are commercial contracts. 

Saudi Arabia is focused on creating a comprehensive EV ecosystem, and the government is aiming for 30 percent of vehicles in Riyadh to be electrified by 2030.

The official added that the company is expected to contribute over SR30 billion to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product as well as creating approximately 30,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2034. 

“The most important part is 90 percent of these agreements are not MoUs. They are in fact commercial contracts, because, we are moving from planning to execution,” said De Luca. 

He added: “Ceer will contribute over SR30 billion by 2034, SR79 billion to trade balance improvement, and we will create approximately 30,000 direct and indirect jobs fulfilling our mandate of putting local nationals to work in value-added positions.” 

Underscoring the progress of the company’s localization strategy, DeLuca said that the company is on track to reach 45 percent local content by 2034. 

“Our robust localization strategy aims to leverage local raw materials, attract advanced technology and foreign investment and localize the production of bulky and labor intensive components to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and to create jobs for Saudi nationals. With the execution of these plans, we are on track to reach 45 percent local content by 2034,” said DeLuca. 

DeLuca said that Ceer is the first automotive company which manages the entire process in car making — from designing and engineering to manufacturing, selling, and servicing a portfolio of battery electric vehicles.

“We will offer a portfolio of battery-electric sedans and SUVs in a variety of sizes for people in the region. I am absolutely confident that this will define electric mobility, not just in Saudi Arabia, but across the countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council region,” said DeLuca. 

He concluded: “I believe, together, we are about to ignite an industry, inspire a nation, and absolutely amaze the world.”