The missing piece in Saudi Arabia’s global investment strategy

Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has fundamentally redefined its role in the global economy. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom has broadened the geographic reach and scale of its foreign investments, expanded into new sectors and strengthened its partnerships with the US, Europe and Asia. The assets under management of the Public Investment Fund are now approaching $1 trillion. This figure reflects not only the scale of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation but also the growing maturity of the Kingdom’s global investment strategy.

Yet Russia, despite being one of the world’s largest economies, still occupies only a modest place in Saudi investment portfolios. Its potential remains significantly underestimated. This is not due to a lack of attractive opportunities but rather to entrenched perceptions of the Russian market that do not always reflect current realities.

To begin with, let’s look at the numbers. According to the International Monetary Fund, Russia is the world’s fourth-largest economy in purchasing power parity terms, after China, the US and India. Its economy has also demonstrated resilience and an ability to adapt to external pressures: cumulative gross domestic product growth has exceeded 10 percent over the past three years, while public debt, at about 17 percent of GDP, remains among the lowest in the G20.

Russia offers investors a well-developed industrial and agricultural base, while having the world’s largest reserves of natural resources. It also benefits from a strong scientific and engineering tradition and a highly skilled workforce.

A strategic geographic position that allows it to serve as a bridge between Europe and Asia is also an undoubted advantage and should be considered. Beyond its sizable domestic market, Russia provides a convenient platform for accessing the wider Eurasian Economic Union, which comprises nearly 200 million consumers and has a combined GDP of about $3 trillion.

These facts present Russia as an attractive place to invest. There are few countries in the world that have the same or even similar advantages.

At the same time, the Russian government continues to pursue policies aimed at supporting economic growth. Its priorities include improving the investment climate, reducing business costs and increasing labor productivity.

Russia remains an open market economy offering investors a broad range of high-quality projects.

Sergei Tepliakov

Russia remains an open market economy offering investors a broad range of high-quality projects. These are developed through various models, including private initiatives, public-private partnerships, development institutions and major state-owned corporations. Opportunities are open to all partners interested in constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation.

As part of its drive for technological sovereignty and import substitution, Russia is gradually shifting its focus from raw material extraction to advanced processing and the development of domestic high-tech industries. Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data centers, robotics, space technologies and nuclear medicine deserve particular attention. The scientific base allows it to be highly competitive in these areas. For Saudi Arabia, Russia’s presence means diversification of cooperation in such complex and sensitive sectors.

Among the most promising areas are energy and industry, particularly oil and gas, chemicals, mineral fertilizers, power engineering, liquefied natural gas and hydrogen transportation. Significant investment potential also exists in the extraction and processing of rare-earth metals.

Saudi investment in Russian agriculture could serve two objectives at once: generating commercial returns and strengthening the Kingdom’s food security. The most promising model would go beyond the simple purchase of raw materials and focus instead on establishing joint processing facilities and integrated supply chains. This approach would provide greater control over production volumes, costs, product quality and delivery schedules.

Joint ventures involving the exchange and transfer of technology could be established in both countries. Production facilities in Russia could serve as a platform for accessing Eurasian markets, while operations in Saudi Arabia could provide a gateway to the Gulf, Africa and South Asia.

Tourism remains one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Russian economy. Last year alone, Russians made more than 90 million domestic trips and this figure is expected to reach 140 million by 2030. New hotels, family resorts, wellness complexes, seaside destinations and ski resorts are being developed across the country. This large-scale expansion of infrastructure is creating substantial opportunities for long-term investment.

Few countries can offer visitors a comparable diversity of landscapes, climate zones and travel experiences. Over the past five years, demand for travel to Russia among Saudi citizens has increased twentyfold. The sector received a further boost with the resumption of direct air links last year and the introduction of visa-free travel in May.

Transport infrastructure represents another promising area for investment. Russia is steadily modernizing its domestic transport network while developing international trade corridors. Saudi participation in Russian logistics projects could enhance trade route connectivity linking the Gulf with Russia, Central Asia and other Eurasian markets.

From an investment perspective, particular opportunities lie in the modernization of ports, the construction of high-speed railways and highways, the development of modern logistics hubs, and the introduction of digital and autonomous technologies.

Saudi investment in Russian agriculture could generate returns and strengthen the Kingdom’s food security.

Sergei Tepliakov

The current global economic environment undoubtedly involves certain risks. However, many of them can be mitigated through careful analysis, sound transaction structuring and the selection of reliable partners. In many cases, the higher level of risk is also offset by attractive potential returns.

The Russian market is not without its complexities. At the same time, it combines large-scale assets, resilient domestic and external demand, and substantial potential in sectors of strategic importance to Saudi Arabia. Against this background, complementary investment projects could become the missing link in bilateral cooperation and make a meaningful contribution to the long-term economic strength of both countries.

• Sergei Tepliakov is Representative of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Attache for Economic Affairs, Russian Embassy to KSA). X: @SergeyTeplyakov