RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s foreign direct investment net inflows reached SR24.9 billion ($6.64 billion) in the third quarter of this year, marking a 34.5 percent increase from the same period in 2024, official data showed.
According to a report by the General Authority for Statistics, net inflows also rose 5.2 percent 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 program, the Kingdom is targeting $100 billion in annual FDI by 2030.
In its latest by GASTAT stated: “The value of FDI inflows amounted to about SR27.7 billion during the third quarter of this year. It achieved an increase of 4.4 percent compared to the third quarter of 2024, which was approximately SR26.5 billion.”
The report added that FDI inflows rose 3.3 percent 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 SR2.7 billion in the third quarter, representing a 65.7 percent decline from the same period in 2024. Compared with the second quarter, outflows fell 11.4 percent.
In a separate release in September, GASTAT said FDI inflows rose 24 percent in 2024 to SR119 billion, 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 SR109 billion.
The ministry added that Saudi Arabia has surpassed its FDI goals for four consecutive years, with annual targets set to rise from SR140 billion in 2025 to SR388 billion 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.
