Riyadh’s transformation and its new investment opportunities 
Vision 2030 remains an essential guide for building the Saudi Arabian economy. And foreign direct investment is an indispensable enabler of the vision. The Ministry of Investment and other ministries have organized many forums and events to introduce the country’s investment opportunities. In the future, international investors and global fund managers anticipate seeing the new trends of conferences focus on the speedy transformation of the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as the city of the future.
This summer, the BMG Economic Forum at the London Stock Exchange will focus on the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as “The City of the Future.” The main topics will include Riyadh investment opportunities, such as Diriyah, Murabba, Riyadh Air, King Salman Airport, Qiddiya, King Khalid Financial District. The forum will also talk about Riyadh as the new host for global companies’ regional offices, the Green Riyadh projects and, most importantly, Riyadh’s candidacy for World Expo 2030.
It is worth noting that the Royal Commission for Riyadh City has the mandate to make Riyadh one of the 10 largest cities in the world, with a noticeable increase in its population of circa 15 million by 2030. The commission is responsible for the urban, economic, social and cultural development of Riyadh, with a masterplan to change the lifestyle and image of the Kingdom’s capital. The forum will highlight the new attractions in the Saudi capital and the efforts to create a more sustainable, mobile and livable city, with family facilities, sports events, advanced health facilities and best-in-class international schools.
As for Diriyah, the forum will cover its different phases. These include the first phase of becoming a UNESCO-certified site, the second phase of creating iconic districts similar to the Champs-Elysees and Madison Avenue in New York, and the third phase that relates to the huge residential complex, including global five-star hotel brands and Michelin-awarded restaurants.
Other key topics in the forum will include the new Murabba’s iconic features, King Salman Park, which will be the lungs of Riyadh, Qiddiya entertainment city and the newly created Riyadh Air and its King Salman Airport hub.
On the financing front, the forum will include sessions on how best to secure funding for these projects in terms of financial instruments and capital markets, including dual listing between Tadawul and the London Stock Exchange.
• Basil M.K. Al-Ghalayini is the chairman and CEO of BMG Financial Group.
