Saudi Arabia’s FII conference organizer plans IPO: report

RIYADH: Richard Attias and Associates, the organizer of Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative summit, is planning for a potential initial public offering, according to a report.

Founder and Chairman of RA&A Richard Attias told Bloomberg in an emailed response that the events and advisory firm is currently working with banks, including Evercore Inc., to prepare for a possible listing as soon as next year.

FII is widely considered as one of the flagship investment events in the Kingdom, where world leaders and industry experts gather to discuss opportunities and challenges across the global financial landscape.

Attias has been a prominent speaker at FII events, where Saudi Arabia showcases its Vision 2030 ambitions to position itself as an international business destination by the end of the decade.

Citing Attias, Bloomberg reported that “he would still remain a shareholder after any potential transaction and stay on as chairman of the board. No final decisions have been made.”

Participants attend the annual Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh on Oct. 29, 2024. AFP

Sanabil, the investment arm of the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, currently owns about 75 percent of RA&A, while Attias possesses the remaining stake.

He is currently the chairman of the executive committee at the FII institute, a non-profit run by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

In February, the FII Institute hosted its Priority Summit in Miami, which featured an address from US President Donald Trump.

Trump’s keynote speech underscored the need for strategic investments that generate both financial returns and long-term social impact.

“Today, it is a tremendous honor to become the first American president to address the Future Investment Initiative Institute,” said Trump at the event.

US President Donald Trump speaks at FII PRIORITY Miami 2025 Summit at the Faena Hotel and Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, Feb. 19, 2025. AFP

He added: “I come today with a simple message for business leaders from all across the nation and all around the world. If you want to build the future, push boundaries, unleash breakthroughs, transform industries, and make a fortune.”

The eighth edition of FII, held in Riyadh last year, featured over 500 speakers and facilitated more than 200 sessions, including plenary discussions, breakouts, and conclaves, addressing economic stability, geopolitical tensions, and equitable development.

Since its launch in 2017, the FII Institute has been organizing annual events in Riyadh. Over the years, the program has emerged as one of the flagship conferences in the financial sector.

Founded in 2008, RA&A currently employs over 100 people worldwide, providing ideas, connections, and platforms to guide its clients, which include corporations, governments, NGOs, and nonprofits, according to its LinkedIn profile.

RIYADH: Jordan’s Industrial Production Index rose 1.47 percent in the first nine months of 2025, supported by higher manufacturing and electricity output, according to data from the Department of Statistics, cited by the Jordan News Agency.

The index climbed to 88.96 points between January and September, compared with 87.67 points in the same period last year, based on 2018 as the reference year.

The manufacturing sector, which accounts for nearly 89 percent of the index, expanded by 1.45 percent, while electricity output recorded a stronger 3.24 percent increase on the back of higher generation capacity and growing demand. However, mining and quarrying activity slipped 0.87 percent, reflecting lower extraction volumes.

Regionally, Jordan’s moderate industrial growth came amid mixed economic trends in neighboring markets. Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Production Index rose 9.3 percent year on year in September, supported by strong gains across manufacturing, mining, and quarrying, according to the General Authority for Statistics.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s external trade continued to show resilience. National exports increased 8 percent, and re-exports rose 4.8 percent in the first eight months of 2025, while total exports were up 7.7 percent year on year. Imports grew 5.6 percent, leading to a 3.5 percent widening of the trade deficit.

Despite the overall positive trend, the industrial sector showed signs of softening toward the end of the period. In September, the index fell 0.8 percent year on year and 3.58 percent compared with August. Monthly data revealed a 1.32 percent decline in manufacturing, offset slightly by 3.39 percent increases in both mining and electricity output.

Saudi Arabia’s FII conference organizer plans IPO: report