Eric Trump says Saudi Arabia’s stock market reforms will attract billions of dollars

Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization. AN
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Updated 12 January 2026
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Eric Trump says Saudi Arabia’s stock market reforms will attract billions of dollars

RIYADH: Eric Trump has praised Saudi Arabia’s decision to open up its stock market to foreign investors, stating that billions of additional dollars are set to flow into the Kingdom. 

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the businessman, who is the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, also lauded the recent development projects taking shape in Riyadh, especially in Diriyah. 

The Kingdom has announced its financial markets will be open to all foreign investors from Feb. 1, with the removal of restrictions such as the Qualified Foreign Investor framework, which required a minimum of $500 million in assets under management, and the abolition of swap agreements. 

Reflecting on the decision, Trump said: “Some of the new legislation allowing foreign inward investment in Saudi Arabia, I think that’s going to open up possibilities for billions of dollars to flow into the market. 

“Obviously opening up the actual stock markets themselves to new foreign investment, I think that’s going to lead to more billions of dollars coming into the market. I think this is going to help with trade and tourism and so many other things.” 

According to Trump, the investment environment in Saudi Arabia is getting better as time progresses, with big brands from across the world entering the Kingdom’s market to tap its potential. 

Under the Vision 2030 economic diversification program, Saudi Arabia aims to attract $100 billion annually in foreign direct investments. 

“Every day, the investment environment gets better and better. You’ve got the biggest brands in the world that are coming in. All of those brands are making a tremendous amount of noise,” added Trump. 

A report released by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics in December revealed that foreign direct investment net inflows reached SR24.9 billion ($6.64 billion) in the third quarter of 2025, representing a 34.5 percent increase compared to the same period a year earlier. 

Trump made the comments as it was announced Saudi real estate developer Dar Global will launch two Trump-branded luxury projects in Riyadh and Jeddah with a combined value of $10 billion.

The projects include the Trump National Golf Course and Trump International Hotel in Riyadh’s Diriyah.

Commenting on the appeal of Saudi Arabia, Trump said: “The vision of the city, the vision of what’s happening in Riyadh, especially Diriyah, it’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.” 

He later added: “The vision of what the new Riyadh is going to be, and the vision for all of Saudi Arabia as it continues to open up — you see all these great financial reforms, which should make more inward investment in Saudi Arabia inevitable. It’s incredibly exciting.” 

Trump went on to say that “the best days for Saudi Arabia are ahead,” adding: “Even in the six or seven years that I’ve been coming to the country, it’s amazing what’s been built, what’s been done. And I think the country should be incredibly proud of itself.”


Saudi energy minister holds series of high-level meetings to cement collaborations

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Saudi energy minister holds series of high-level meetings to cement collaborations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy held a series of strategic meetings in Riyadh with senior ministers from various counties, in a diplomatic push to bolster international energy collaboration.

Officials from Greece, Brazil, and Morocco were among those to meet with Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, as well as representatives from Libya and Pakistan.

The discussions centered on expanding cooperation across a wide spectrum of energy sectors, from traditional hydrocarbons to cutting-edge clean technologies, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The engagements underscored Saudi Arabia’s proactive role in shaping the global energy transition through bilateral partnerships. A consistent theme across the talks was the dual focus on securing energy supplies and advancing climate-related solutions, including renewable power, clean hydrogen, and carbon management.

Deepening European and South American ties

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met with Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou. Building upon a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding, the two officials explored avenues for joint cooperation in oil and gas, electricity, and renewables, as well as other related sectors.

In a separate meeting with Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, the parties discussed prospects for collaboration across various energy domains. They reviewed means to enhance coordination, particularly in electricity, renewables, oil and gas, and the exchange of technical expertise.

Signing a program with Morocco

A key outcome emerged from the meeting with Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali. Following their discussions on mutual interests, investment opportunities in renewables, and energy efficiency, the two sides signed an executive cooperation program.

This program, falling under an MoU signed in May 2022, aims to concretize the energy partnership. Its goals are boosting mutual investments in renewable projects and enabling national companies to collaborate on renewable energy projects.

It also encompasses using renewables in development projects, establishing joint research and development centers, and facilitating training and knowledge transfer.

Strengthening regional and Islamic cooperation

Prince Abdulaziz also conferred with Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek. Their meeting focused on energy cooperation, including energy technologies and solutions, as well as enhancing investment opportunities in renewables and energy efficiency.

Discussions with Pakistan’s Minister of Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, covered shared interests in oil and its supplies, renewable energy, energy efficiency, joint investment opportunities, and the exchange of expertise in project, policy, and regulatory development.

This flurry of diplomatic activity highlights Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive energy strategy, which seeks to maintain its leadership in traditional energy markets while pursuing a stake in the future clean energy economy.