Saudi Arabia gears up for FII9, gathering 8,000 global leaders to drive investment and innovation

[_Arabia_]

This is a great initiative, Ai Is fast moving, sensitising educated to this sounds smart. stem standards are going to get tougher because ai will do so much

Definitely. What I like the most and what is arguably the most important aspect is the local human capital and investing in it. As well as setting up an entire local AI sector and doing it the organic way. The correct way.

Investing in your own local human capital, regardless of sector, is always the way forward.

KSA is doing it this way in every relevant sector.

It would have been incredibly easy for KSA to use the UAE model (looking at EDGE vs SAMI is a good example) and just import foreigners and pay them a salary that they can't refuse and let them design and make the products by large while teaching a select few locals. Instead with the Vision 2030 every sector has majority involvement from locals and everything is going through local hands with outsiders/foreigners only adding support and experience whenever needed. Same with the education model.

The UAE-model might show results quicker but KSA's model is more deep-rooted, more indigenous, much more locally anchored and will give much greater long-term benefits.

At least this is how I see it.

Of course there is a huge difference in talent pool, population, potential between KSA and UAE.

 

[r3alist]

Definitely. What I like the most and what is arguably the most important aspect is the local human capital and investing in it. As well as setting up an entire local AI sector and doing it the organic way. The correct way.

Investing in your own local human capital, regardless of sector, is always the way forward.

KSA is doing it this way in every relevant sector.

It would have been incredibly easy for KSA to use the UAE model (looking at EDGE vs SAMI is a good example) and just import foreigners and pay them a salary that they can't refuse and let them design and make the products by large while teaching a select few locals. Instead with the Vision 2030 every sector has majority involvement from locals and everything is going through local hands with outsiders/foreigners only adding support and experience whenever needed. Same with the education model.

The UAE-model might show results quicker but KSA's model is more deep-rooted, more indigenous, much more locally anchored and will give much greater long-term benefits.

At least this is how I see it.

Of course there is a huge difference in talent pool, population, potential between KSA and UAE.

It is also a sovereignty issue, because if you are not using your own indigenous national large language model then you will be using someone elses

The UAE is relatively less concerned I think

 

[_Arabia_]

It is also a sovereignty issue, because if you are not using your own indigenous national large language model then you will be using someone elses

The UAE is relatively less concerned I think

Exactly.

Speaking about the "devil". News from 8 days ago:

How Saudi Arabia’s Humain is pushing Arabic AI to the global frontier​

Updated 20 October 2025
WAAD HUSSAIN
September 05, 2025

• Homegrown AI system Humain is building a full-stack ecosystem designed to drive innovation, infrastructure, and technology leadership in the region
• Its Arabic-first AI models are being developed to integrate language, culture, and specialized knowledge for consumer and enterprise applications

ALKHOBAR: Saudi Arabia has set its sights on becoming a global artificial intelligence powerhouse, and one company is at the center of that mission.

Humain, launched in May 2025 with backing from the Public Investment Fund, is building what many describe as the Arab world’s most ambitious AI ecosystem.

Unlike firms that focus narrowly on single models, Humain delivers full-stack capabilities, from sovereign data centers to advanced large language models, all designed in and for the Kingdom.

At the heart of this vision is Humain Chat, a consumer app powered by the ALLaM 34B foundation model.

The HUMAIN Chat app interface, designed for over 400 million Arabic speakers. (Supplied)

Built as an Arabic-first system, it represents a decisive shift: Instead of adapting foreign technologies, Saudi Arabia is now creating innovation rooted in its own language and culture.

Developing ALLaM 34B was Humain’s first major challenge and its greatest statement of intent.

The model was trained on more than 500 billion Arabic tokens, making it the largest Arabic language dataset ever used. Independent evaluations have already ranked it as the world’s most advanced Arabic-first AI system.

Yaser Al-Onaizan, deputy CEO and president of data and AI models at Humain, explained why this matters.

“ALLaM is set apart by its deep cultural integration and comprehensive understanding of Arabic nuances, from regional dialects to religious and historical contexts,” he said.

The design choice was not cosmetic. By building the model in Arabic from the ground up, Humain gave it the ability to understand and reflect everyday speech while also handling specialized contexts like finance, government services, and education.

This dual focus allows ALLaM to power Humain Chat for millions of consumers while being robust enough for enterprise deployments.

Humain Chat is more than just a demo of Saudi AI capability. Available for free in the Kingdom on iOS, Android, and web, it is designed to serve more than 400 million Arabic speakers globally.

Smarter, context-aware answers from HUMAIN Chat. (Supplied)

Users can switch between Arabic and English, dictate in multiple dialects, and even search the web in real time without leaving the app.

“Our model’s real-world adaptability is unmatched,” said Al-Onaizan. “While powering Humain Chat for consumers, it is also enterprise-ready, capable of seamless integration into government services, financial systems, and customer platforms.”

Where Humain differs from most regional players is its scale. The company describes itself as a full-stack AI provider, delivering not just large language models but also infrastructure, cloud platforms, and data governance systems.

This makes it one of the few firms globally attempting to control the entire AI value chain.

App icon for HUMAIN Chat, available on iOS and Android.

Its portfolio includes hyperscale data centers, cloud-native services, and a sovereign data platform capable of managing the full lifecycle from ingestion to visualization.

On top of this sit its models, from ALLaM to advanced voice-enabled systems, and finally consumer and enterprise applications such as Humain Chat.

The company’s ambitions are reinforced by major partnerships.

AWS is investing $5 billion in a new AI Zone in the Kingdom. NVIDIA is working with Humain to build AI factories with hundreds of thousands of graphics processing units.

Qualcomm, AMD, Cisco, and Groq are also aligned with the effort, ensuring Humain has both the software and hardware ecosystem to scale.

One of the biggest challenges in AI is training data, and for Arabic it has always been a limiting factor. High-quality corpora are scarce, fragmented, and inconsistent. Humain chose to tackle this head-on by designing its own data curation and governance pipeline.

“Building advanced Arabic language models presents unique data challenges that we’ve systematically addressed at Humain,” said Al-Onaizan.

“The scarcity of high-quality Arabic training data has historically been a significant barrier. However, we turned this challenge into an opportunity through our innovative approach to data curation and governance, which was a built-from-scratch solution.”

Dr. Yaser Al-Onaizan, deputy CEO and president of data and AI models at HUMAIN, who spearheaded the development of ALLAM 34B. (Supplied)

To achieve this, Humain mobilized a network of more than 600 domain experts and 250 evaluators who validated and refined the training sets. The result is a model tuned for accuracy, relevance, and compliance with Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law.

The Humain story is also the Saudi story.

Vision 2030 has made AI a national priority, and Humain reflects that ambition. By combining sovereign control with global partnerships, the Kingdom is positioning itself not just as a user of technology but as a leader shaping its direction.

“We are confident that Saudi Arabia is taking all the necessary steps to become a global AI powerhouse,” said Al-Onaizan. “Our vision aligns strategically with the Kingdom’s ambitious national strategy, where we are not just participants, but we are actively shaping the future of AI.”

DID YOU​

Humain is building the Arab world’s most ambitious full-stack AI ecosystem and infrastructure.

Humain Chat is powered by ALLaM 34B, the world’s largest Arabic-first large language model.

ALLaM 34B was trained on over 500 billion Arabic tokens, integrating cultural nuances.
This confidence is not without basis. Humain’s rapid growth, global alliances, and independent recognition have already placed it on the map as a serious competitor to established tech giants.

If scale is one pillar of Humain’s strategy, responsibility is the other. The company emphasizes that its infrastructure is hosted entirely in the Kingdom, under national jurisdiction, to ensure sovereignty and trust.

“When we discuss AI deployment at scale, data protection and privacy are not optional considerations, they are fundamental requirements,” said Al-Onaizan.

Smarter Arabic voice interactions with HUMAIN Chat. (Supplied)

“At the core of our approach is full compliance with Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law. While we meet all regulatory requirements, our true focus is establishing trust and maintaining the highest standards of data governance.”

This approach is designed to reassure both government and enterprise clients that advanced AI can be deployed without compromising security or cultural values.

Saudi Arabia’s AI ambitions are no longer abstract policy goals. Through Humain, the Kingdom is building an end-to-end ecosystem that combines infrastructure, models, and applications in one stack.

With ALLaM 34B as its foundation and Humain Chat as its first showcase, the company is proving that Arabic-first innovation can set global standards.

The road ahead will be about scale, global expansion, and ensuring that AI speaks not only in Arabic but with the values and vision of the Arab world.

How Saudi Arabia’s Humain is pushing Arabic AI to the global frontier

ALKHOBAR: Saudi Arabia has set its sights on becoming a global artificial intelligence powerhouse, and one company is at the center of that mission. Humain, launched in May 2025 with backing from the Public Investment Fund, is building what many describe as the Arab world’s most ambitious AI...

www.arabnews.com

Speaking about the UAE and their model (foreign policy wise) this below is a quite good talk

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but have in mind that this German-Brit (European) is employed by Qatar so there will be some bias involved.

He is basically one of the many Western journalist employed by GCC states. If you look at his user history on Twitter you will notice that he is hardly ever critical of KSA of late but during past disagreements (2017) he was very critical, as much as he is of UAE right now.

https://x.com/search?q=from%3Aandreas_krieg%20saudi&src=typed_query&f=live

Behind every public academic and journalist there is always a handler or some personal bias/agenda.

Just like you have many anti-KSA Iranian "Twitter influencers" while you also have those that look at KSA favorably (after visiting themselves) such as this guy:

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Personally I believe that this is him just echoing regime (Qatar) viewpoints (KSA-Qatar ties are now close again, much less so Qatar-UAE).

Of course I we/I have spoken about in many other threads, it would have been so much easier/better for everyone involved (locals) if we were just a part of the same single state so all this rivalry (mostly peaceful) would end permanently and we would join hands.

I can only imagine what the GCC could accomplish if 1 single entity and if all the money, visions, people, talent etc. was put into work at once. Already 6-7 largest economy in the world. Plus 40 million (By 2050 almost 80 million) big Yemen obviously.

Anyway as long as no conflict occurs and the competition is healthy and people can continue to visit freely and live freely and we act as a joint force in each important subject, if threatened from the outside etc., as of today by large, I can live with it.

Anyway a bit off-topic so ending it here.

 

[r3alist]

can only imagine what the GCC could accomplish if 1 single entity and if all the money, visions, people, talent etc. was put into work at once

If you were one entity, it would be more like Saudi than the UAE

But the UAE distinguishes itself to the west by being less like Saudi

That's the problem for Saudi, they need to wrestle away head offices from the UAE

 

[_Arabia_]

If you were one entity, it would be more like Saudi than the UAE

But the UAE distinguishes itself to the west by being less like Saudi

That's the problem for Saudi, they need to wrestle away head offices from the UAE

UAE is composed of 90% foreign residents if I recall. Their entire model is completely different just due to that alone. It is not organic. Anyway I am not going to criticize them overly (despite disagreements foreign policy wise and on other fronts) as they have done well on numerous fronts and taken advantage of their advantages in many ways.

Much easier when you can use your entire country as a guinea pig and basically built everything up from the ground. Have in mind that the likes of Kuwait, UAE, Qatar were the most poor and sparsely inhabited places of all of Arabia outside of a few coastal towns and cities. Sure Eastern Arabia has a very rich history overall but most of all the ancient civilizations and oldest settlements (some of the oldest in the world) were/are all located in Eastern KSA and Bahrain and to a smaller extend Northern Oman (southernmost extent of historical Eastern Arabia).

But personally I believe (among other reasons) that UAE's close alinement with Israel, USA etc. is due to trying to slow down KSA's ascend which is their main geopolitical rival in the region.

But they are likely playing a clever double role:

UAE firm provided technology for China to upgrade missiles: Report

Company run by Emirati national security advisor, Sheikh Tahnoon, may have shared dual-use technology with China

www.middleeasteye.net

Middle East Eye is Qatari/MB aligned but nevertheless I find the news believable and I would not put it past KSA to have done similar.

One of the reasons why KSA is not fully trusted by the US establishment in regard to top of the echelon strategic ties.

Anyway long-term, (even today) UAE cannot compete with KSA.

600 companies now have their regional HQ in Saudi​

The modern infrastructure and the other facilities are also attracting the international firms to the country

BY NIDA SOHAIL
MARCH 11, 2025

600 companies now have their regional HQ in Saudi

The modern infrastructure and the other facilities are also attracting the international firms to the country

gulfbusiness.com

Why Multinationals are Setting Up Regional Headquarters in Saudi Arabia ​

Establishing a Regional Headquarters is now the easiest way of doing business in Saudi Arabia

As part of its ambitious Vision 2030 program of economic reform, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is incentivising foreign multinational companies to site their regional headquarters within the desert nation’s new economy. The Regional Headquarters (RHQ) scheme is intended to make doing business in Saudi Arabiaas inviting as possible for any business operating in the Middle East.

Let’s look into why so many companies are rushing to set up regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia and explore the process of obtaining an RHQ license.

Why foreign companies are setting up Regional Headquarters in Saudi Arabia​

350 RHQ licences have already been issued to foreign multinationals including Apple, Pepsi and Microsoft, with another 450 in the pipeline. But why are so many firms resituating their Middle East operations in the KSA?

1. Strategic geopolitical positioning​

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is strategically located as a gateway to the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. This makes it a natural nerve centre for MENA operations. Access to regional markets and connectivity through world-class infrastructure enhance business prospects and operational efficiency. With four special economic zones created in April 2023, the country is actively seeking to grow its presence as a node for investment and business.

2. Saudi government support for global expansion​

Establishing a regional headquarters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amplifies a foreign company’s ability to expand and penetrate the regional market in the Gulf. The KSA wants to rival the UAE as the central hub for strategic direction, decision-making, operations, and coordination in the region.

The Saudi government offers many supportive initiatives to motivate companies to invest and set up headquarters in the Kingdom. Multinational companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Siemens, and Pepsico have already bought into the regional headquarters program, along with many others.

3. Alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030​

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to diversify and transform its economy, inviting foreign businesses to join the nation’s growth. By aligning with this vision, companies become partners in Saudi Arabia’s development. With over 99% digital penetration, even surpassing global peers such as Japan, the country is well-equipped to support the growth of sectors like fintech and SaaS,

Programs and ecosystems in KSA include Misk Hub, Meta’s Boost Program and MCIT’s Gamechanger Program. With so much digital transformation and economic diversification, the Saudi government has plans to exempt certain companies from commerce fees for three years.

The Regional Headquarters Program: key incentives and benefits​

The Saudi government has created some very significant incentives for companies to set up RHQs in the Kingdom.

1. Tax incentives​

   • 30-Year Tax Relief: MNCs establishing their RHQs in Saudi Arabia benefit from a 30-year tax exemption package, which includes a zero percent corporate income tax and withholding tax on RHQ activities.
   • Eligible Activities: The tax incentives apply to income from activities that strengthen the group’s profile in the region and provide strategic supervision and administrative support to subsidiaries and related companies.

2. Saudization exemption​

   • 10-Year Exemption: RHQs are exempt from the Saudization requirements, which mandate a specific percentage of Saudi nationals in a company’s workforce, for a period of 10 years.

3. Visa and residency benefits​

   • Unlimited Work Visas: RHQs can issue an unlimited number of work visas for their employees, facilitating easier relocation and staffing.
   • Premium Residency: The top three executives of the RHQ can enjoy premium residency free of charge, enhancing the attractiveness for global business leaders.

4. Government tenders​

   • Contracting Advantage: As of January 2024, only companies with RHQs in Saudi Arabia can compete for government contracts and access the Public Investment Fund (PIF). This provides a significant competitive edge.

5. Operational support​

   • End-to-End Services: The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) offers comprehensive support through its RHQ Care team, assisting with accommodation, government paperwork, and other logistical needs.

6. Professional accreditation waivers​

   • Exemption from Local Accreditation: Employees of RHQs holding valid professional accreditations in their home countries are exempt from needing local professional accreditation.

How to set up your RHQ in Saudi Arabia​

Setting up your RHQ requires you to follow a bureaucratic pathway

Requirements:​

• International presence: The company must have substantial operations in at least two different countries outside Saudi Arabia and their home country.
• Physical office: A physical office in Saudi Arabia is required, serving as the central command for strategic and managerial functions across the region.
• Employment: The RHQ must employ at least 15 full-time employees within the first year, including at least three high-level executives

The process: ​

To acquire a Regional Headquarters (RHQ) license in Saudi Arabia, multinational corporations (MNCs) must follow a detailed process involving several steps and meeting specific criteria. Here is a comprehensive overview of the process:

1.​

• Submit a License Application: The initial step involves submitting a license application to the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA).
• Required Documents: The application must include:
  • A certified copy of the commercial registration from the Saudi embassy.
  • Copies of commercial registrations or licenses from at least two different countries, excluding Saudi Arabia and the country of the multinational group’s headquarters.
  • Annual audited consolidated financial statements of the last financial year, attested at the Saudi embassy.

2.​

• Detailed Business Plan: Companies must submit a business plan outlining the intended scope of operations and investment plans within the region. This plan should demonstrate the strategic importance of Saudi Arabia as a regional hub and the value the RHQ will bring to the Kingdom.

3.​

• Obtain RHQ license: The organization must obtain an RHQ license through MISA. MISA has simplified the procedural requirements, including waiving the attestation requirements for documents originating outside of Saudi Arabia.
• Legal Entity Registration: Once licensed, the RHQ must be registered as either a branch office or a limited liability company in Saudi Arabia.

4.​

• Commencement of operations: The RHQ must start operating within six months of the license being issued.
• Employee requirements: Within one year of issuing the RHQ license, the RHQ must employ at least 15 full-time employees, including at least three C-suite executives.

5.​

• Mandatory Activities: The RHQ must undertake all mandatory activities specified by MISA, which include providing strategic direction and management functions[1][9].
• Optional Activities: The RHQ must also undertake at least three optional activities within the first year. These activities can include sales and marketing support, human resources management, training services, financial management, compliance, and more.

6.​

• Compliance obligations: The RHQ must comply with various compliance obligations, including registering with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), filing annual corporate income tax (CIT) and/or Zakat returns, and preparing and maintaining accounts for each tax year.
• Economic substance requirements: The RHQ must meet economic substance requirements, such as having adequate premises in Saudi Arabia, holding board meetings in the Kingdom, and incurring operational expenditure proportionate to its activities.

7.​

• License fees: The RHQ license has an annual fee of SAR 2,000 and a one-time service fee of SAR 10,000 for the first year.
• Tax incentives: Companies with an RHQ license can benefit from substantial tax exemptions, including a 30-year corporate income and withholding tax exemption and a 10-year exemption from Saudization requirements.

8.​

• License revocation: MISA can revoke the RHQ license if the company fails to commence mandatory or optional activities within the stipulated time periods or does not meet the employee requirements.

By following these steps and meeting the outlined criteria, multinational corporations can successfully acquire an RHQ license in Saudi Arabia and benefit from the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative.

Centuro Global can assist with every stage of your RHQ setup. All you have to do is get in touch.

Alex Schulte
Alex is the Content Marketing Manager at Centuro Global.

Setting Up Regional Headquarters in Saudi Arabia

Explore the benefits of establishing regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia under the Vision 2030 program for international businesses.

www.centuroglobal.com

 

[PK781]

This would be good, but only if the Saudi's do all the hard work themselves. And not rely on some hired people (whites and others) to do the work. Most importantly the knowledge base must be built in the educated locals (perhaps use loyal muslim foreigners as partners) but do not rely on non-muslims to handle critical or sensitive info or databanks and information.
Even the picture above my post shows some white dude doing "marketing", why do you need them? Do everything yourselves. Employ Pakistanis with you for partnerships but don't trust the west/zions to do your bidding as they can only backstab. There are enough lessons out there by 2025.

 

[_Arabia_]

This would be good, but only if the Saudi's do all the hard work themselves. And not rely on some hired people (whites and others) to do the work. Most importantly the knowledge base must be built in the educated locals (perhaps use loyal muslim foreigners as partners) but do not rely on non-muslims to handle critical or sensitive info or databanks and information.
Even the picture above my post shows some white dude doing "marketing", why do you need them? Do everything yourselves. Employ Pakistanis with you for partnerships but don't trust the west/zions to do your bidding as they can only backstab. There are enough lessons out there by 2025.

I suggest you read this thread from the beginning to the end. 95% of the work is done by local Saudi Arabians which are some of the most educated Muslims and people (especially the young generation) out there. This is no longer the 1950's and 1960's.

Also KSA, unlike most Muslim nations, do not have nor have had any ties with Israel or Zionists since 1948. We are one of the few countries that to this date still refuse Israeli passport holders from even entering KSA so no idea where this comes from either. I guess this is tied to the heavy anti-KSA propaganda that is found online from certain circles.

 

[Owaiz]

The IP is strictly tied to local Saudi Arabian governmental and private firms. Deals signed with major foreign AI firms (Western and Chinese) is shared IP and for hosting major data centers, KSA is gaining an economic and geopolitical advantage.

I don't think that the likes of PwC (largest accounting firm in the world) are making up false data when they claim that KSA is set to gain 135 billion USD in gains thanks to AI by 2030.

Most importantly an entire Saudi Arabian generation is being taught AI/tech/STEM aggressively from as young as 5-6 nowadays. This will only accelerate in the future.

So by all accounts KSA is winning on this investment unless something completely unexpected occurs and its turns out that AI/new tech is just one big hoax which is not going to be the case.

Thanks to AI the likes of KSA are already performing groundbreaking achievements in the healthcare system as I posted already in this thread.

KSA is also investing heavily in supercomputers, another very promising field.

“AI has emerged [in] the last three, four years, and it’s definitely going to define how the future economy of every nation. Those who invest will lead, and those who lag behind, unfortunately, will lose,” he pointed out."​

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/28/how-saudi-arabia-is-diversifying-away-from-oil-and-betting-big-on-ai.html

I firmly believe in this statement. Can be applied to any sector out there.

KSA is taking a very proactive and aggressive stand in order to consolidate our position as one of the main centers of AI. I believe that this strategy is a clever one as KSA has many advantages compared to our rivals which we are taking advantage of.

Brother , I am not sure you understand what IP ( Intellectual Property) means. There is no IP transfer when data centres are set up by foreign companies. Let us leave this discussion here.

 

[r3alist]

But personally I believe (among other reasons) that UAE's close alinement with Israel, USA etc. is due to trying to slow down KSA's ascend which is their main geopolitical rival in the region.

I believe the UAE elite are consolidating their prominence as the main financial and tech hub in the region , it's a defensive and offensive move.

Not sure they can control it long term

Middle East Eye is Qatari/MB aligned but nevertheless I find the news believable and I would not put it past KSA to have done similar.

Some USA hedging needed

 

[r3alist]

UAE is composed of 90

At some point it has to be organic, otherwise it just becomes a place to work and earn, not a nation.

 

[_Arabia_]

Brother , I am not sure you understand what IP ( Intellectual Property) means. There is no IP transfer when data centres are set up by foreign companies. Let us leave this discussion here.

I know what IP means. What makes you think this is not the case? I was not referring to KSA hosting data centers of major Western and Chinese AI companies. I was talking about the indigenous AI landscape within KSA and the Saudi Arabian AI firms. There is no foreign IP involved with that but rather organic local work. Read this thread from the beginning. Or start with reading post 18 in this thread.

I believe the UAE elite are consolidating their prominence as the main financial and tech hub in the region , it's a defensive and offensive move.

Not sure they can control it long term




Some USA hedging needed

The problem is (for the UAE) that they are not the main financial or tech hub in the region. KSA is. The economy of KSA is more than 2 as large and nowadays more major global firms have their headquarters in KSA as well. Tadawul (largest stock exchange in the region) is also based in KSA.

Saudi Exchange - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Almost as large as the London stock exchange.

List of major stock exchanges - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

At some point it has to be organic, otherwise it just becomes a place to work and earn, not a nation.

I agree but so far it is not if we go by the logic that citizenship is the requirement.

 

[r3alist]

The problem is (for the UAE) that they are not the main financial or tech hub in the region.

I think the UAE is far more established but that's because Saudi did not really intend to give UAE competition, it could change in the future, but internationally I think UAE is much more established with inancial institutions and international headquarters globally.

Technology I think yes Saudi is and will be better

 

[_Arabia_]

I think the UAE is far more established but that's because Saudi did not really intend to give UAE competition, it could change in the future, but internationally I think UAE is much more established with inancial institutions and international headquarters globally.

Technology I think yes Saudi is and will be better

Not reflected in the economic power of each country or stock exchange at least.

UAE is no doubt a trade, commerce and logistics hub (Abu Dhabi and Dubai mostly).

What they have of advantages compared to KSA is their much smaller size and quicker bureaucracy (by large) but KSA is quickly closing the gap.

Anyway what might confuse people is the fact that UAE is mostly used as a safe heaven for money laundering and "dirty money". Hence them just recently leaving the FATF "grey list".
They remain blacklisted by the EU on this front.

The UAE on the European Blacklist: How Did It Become a Haven for Dirty Money?

The United Arab Emirates’ tainted record on money laundering and terrorism financing has returned to the spotlight, following criticism of the European Union for keeping the country on its blacklist of non-cooperative jurisdictions in the fight against illicit finance—a list that currently...

english.noonpost.com

KSA does not have those problems.

UAE as I wrote have done amazingly well for itself on many fronts, I cannot deny this, nobody can, compared to its size and population, but it remains a country where locals make up around 12% of the population (actual citizens), around 1.2 million people.

It is hard to take a country seriously when this is the case no matter how rich or how well they are doing. It is not very organic when close to 90% of your population are not locals.

Qatar is no different here. Same story.

 

[r3alist]

It is hard to take a country seriously when this is the case no matter how rich or how well they are doing. It is not very organic when close to 90% of your population are not locals.

Qatar is no different here. Same story

Of course this is the intrinsic problem, and I guess what I'm trying to say that structurally these Nationsstatess have a model, well we use the word model, it's actually a necessitation to create infrastructure and technology and living standards that in fact.... in absolute numbers foreigners enjoy this much more, the locals are vastly outnumbered so vastly underrepresent contribution to creation of everything. Overtime, if you step back and look dispassionately will it not start to resemble a special economic zone with the Arab rulers as management team, and a consistent need for a global workforce


Similarly with Qatar, the resources they have relative to the tiny population they are in fact consistently have to make themselves useful or shielded from outside eyes.


You therefore have two Nations I believe are intrinsically needing the outside world to maintain the positioning of the top layer of Arabs

Saudi Arabia, actually has real population and size, so many on this forum are hoping it develops its own indigenous capabilities more and more

 

[_Arabia_]

• OPINION
• FINANCE

Saudi Arabia reads the global room at FII9​

This year’s conference in Riyadh was attuned to the world’s new balance of power

By Frank Kane
October 31, 2025, 11:25 AM

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and Donald Trump Jr with other senior delegates at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh

The Future Investment Initiative has always billed itself as a “global platform setting the world’s investment agenda”. This week’s gathering in Riyadh certainly reinforced that claim.

The ninth edition of FII – the biggest yet in attendance, scope and ambition – demonstrated again that Saudi Arabia has become a magnet for global capital and conversation.

It also revealed a subtle but significant shift in tone: the FII is acknowledging the world’s new geopolitical realities, and their power to shape investment flows.

The news headlines were still financial. Billions of dollars in new deals were announced across energy, data centres, logistics and artificial intellig

Saudi Arabia reads the global room at FII9

FII in Saudi Arabia is acknowledging the world’s new geopolitical realities, and their power to shape investment flows, says Frank Kane

www.agbi.com

Saudi capital markets shine at FII9 with regulatory, investor, and tech focus​

The discussions took place during FII9. SPA

EDDAH: The balance of capital markets, investor confidence, and Saudi Arabia’s market performance took center stage at the ninth Future Investment Initiative conference.

Speaking during the event, Khalid Al-Hussan, CEO of the Saudi Tadawul Group, said the group maintains a high level of professionalism and transparency as an institutional force in the Kingdom’s market, supported by both local and international investors and increased capital inflows, according to the Saudi Press Agency.


He highlighted the vast opportunities in Saudi capital markets, noting that the Kingdom hosts two markets with more than 380 listed companies, multi-billion-dollar investments, and several active financing platforms — placing Saudi Arabia among the world’s top 10 financial markets.

“Regarding the regulatory environment, Al-Hussan said it continues to evolve under Vision 2030, with efforts to broaden access to Saudi markets, deepen liquidity, and provide diverse investment alternatives,” SPA reported

The Tadawul CEO emphasized that expanding market accessibility remains a key pillar, adding that regulations are developing in response to growing demand and new capital inflows.

He revealed that investments in the Kingdom have exceeded $110 billion, with more than 4,400 new market participants. “These changes will enhance access for a broader base of investors over the medium and long term, driven by improved regulation and heightened investor interest in Saudi markets.”

He also underlined the importance of technology and innovation for future growth, noting the growing role of data-driven innovations.

Technology, he said, has become a national priority, with efforts underway to modernize capital market infrastructure through digitalization, the integration of fintech firms, and the adoption of advanced data analytics platforms.

Meanwhile, Abdulmajeed Al-Haqbani, head of securities investments at the Public Investment Fund, said the Saudi market ranks first in the Arab world in terms of market capitalization and liquidity.

He pointed to significant legislative progress compared to previous years and the market’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the development of new financial products.

Al-Haqbani noted that the balance achieved in capital markets between regulators and international investor confidence is beginning to yield positive results, describing the PIF as a cornerstone in supporting the growth of Saudi Arabia’s capital markets.

“He added that the Saudi economy remains strong and well-capitalized, with substantial financial leaps in recent years — total capital flows rose from SR1 trillion to SR2 trillion in 2024, while the number of listed companies grew from 199 to more than 260. The total market value increased by 3.5 percent in January 2024,” SPA reported, citing Al- Haqbani.

On consistent investment strategies, Al-Haqbani said they serve as a key asset, revealing that SR3 billion to SR4 billion has been allocated to systematic strategies, representing 9 percent of targets, with plans to reach 20 percent.

He noted that systematic strategies have grown by 8 percent compared to traditional approaches, underscoring the positive impact of artificial intelligence, data, and advanced technologies that are reshaping investor perceptions of regional and Saudi markets.

Saudi capital markets shine at FII9 with regulatory, investor, and tech focus

JEDDAH: The balance of capital markets, investor confidence, and Saudi Arabia’s market performance took center stage at the ninth Future Investment Initiative conference. Speaking during the event, Khalid Al-Hussan, CEO of the Saudi Tadawul Group, said the group maintains a high level of...

www.arabnews.com

China-Saudi relations entering new phase driven by tech, innovation, say business leaders​

Arab News Deputy Editor-in-Chief Noor Nugali, Aces CEO Akram Aburas, ewpartners managing partner Cliff Chau and Leshines CEO Hawk Xu speak during a panel at ewpartners' China Night in Riyadh on Wednesday. (AN Photo)

HAJAR ALQUSAYER
October 30, 2025

• Noor Nugali, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, moderates talk
• Construction, health, trade, logistics on the agenda at ‘China Night’

RIYADH: Business leaders from China and Saudi Arabia say cooperation between the two countries is entering a new phase, driven by technology transfer, joint innovation and large-scale infrastructure projects.

They were speaking during a panel discussion at ewpartners’ “China Night” in Riyadh on Wednesday evening, with Arab News is a media partner.

Noor Nugali, Arab News’ Deputy Editor-in-Chief, moderated the discussion.

Aces CEO Akram Aburas said that China has become an important reference point for the Kingdom as it undertakes massive development projects.

“In Saudi Arabia now, obviously everybody knows that we are going to make larger scale projects in construction, airport facilities, and healthcare facilities,” he said.

“China is a very good role model for us, because when it comes to China, any project implemented there is usually implemented on a massive scale and high-tech scale. It means that you have a robust, you have a very strong system installation base.

“It’s very good to get some of these technologies and implement them in Saudi Arabia … the potential success, is extremely high once we use it in Saudi.”

Aburas said the perception of Chinese technology has shifted dramatically over the past decade, with China now recognized for its large-scale deployment and technological maturity.

“We have to admit, and we have to realize the Chinese technology is an age of technology. The perception 10 years ago doesn’t exist,” he said.

“China has massive installations, they have massive deployment and massive investment in terms of technology.”

He noted that as a Saudi Arabia operator responsible for managing large infrastructure projects, such work demands extensive technological integration and large-scale system deployment.

Aburas also discussed how Saudi Arabia firms are starting to co-develop intellectual property with Chinese partners under government-supported initiatives.

“We are capitalizing our installation, but also our technical knowledge, with the support of the government to create an IP. And then we approach multiple technology partners, partnered with China, and now we start using for our own but also go (to) the international market.”

Hawk Xu, Leshine’s CEO and CTO of Lenovo Supply Chain, said Saudi Arabia’s geographic position makes it one of the world’s most strategic gateways for global trade and logistics.

“If you look at physical locations, definitely, it’s sitting almost at the center of Asia Pacific, GCC, and even for Europe.”

“So we believe the global trade is offering, I think, more opportunities for global supply chains, and also definitely as logistics for cross ordering … So this is definitely one of our most important strategic countries, a market we will focus (on) and we committed to continue the best.”

Xu noted that companies from across East Asia are increasingly drawn to the Kingdom’s industrial and green technology ambitions.

“We hope to bring our capabilities here and empower more companies to root here, to grow up here, and also to, really, I think, get more business here,” he said. “The green energy and also recycling economy are also key focuses for us.”

Cliff Chau, managing partner at ewpartners, emphasized the pace of China’s progress in healthcare and pharmaceutical development, describing how rapid innovation has reshaped the sector over the past decade.

“I would say that in the last 10 years, we narrowed the gap between China and US very quickly. Ten years ago, China healthcare, service, standards, equipment, pharmaceutical, (were) probably 20 years behind the US. Today, in some areas, we are ahead of the US.”

“So I understand that healthcare industry is a big thing here too, to extend the longevity of people, to prevent diseases. And I think the healthcare will have a big opportunity in this country too.”

He said that China’s progress was driven by policy support and the return of internationally trained experts.

“That’s one big important factor, is talent infusion and policy driven. And I think the two, second factor, is the kind of the China speed.”

China-Saudi relations entering new phase driven by tech, innovation, say business leaders

RIYADH: Business leaders from China and Saudi Arabia say cooperation between the two countries is entering a new phase, driven by technology transfer, joint innovation and large-scale infrastructure projects. They were speaking during a panel discussion at ewpartners’ “China Night” in Riyadh on...

www.arabnews.com

FII9 2025: Saudi Arabia Leads the World Into a New AI-Powered Economic Era​

by Editor Asiatoday

October 31, 2025

ASIATODAY.ID, RIYADH — The ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) concluded today (October 30, 2025) with a resounding message of optimism and determination.

On its official Investment Day, global leaders, investors, and innovators declared the dawn of a new economic era — one driven by artificial intelligence, human ingenuity, and a shared belief in progress.

FII9 shattered records, welcoming over 9,000 delegates, 2,000 members, 60 strategic partners, and 600 media representatives from more than 60 countries. More than half of this year’s speakers — 52% — came from the technology sector, underscoring a historic shift toward an AI-powered global economy.

Private Capital Becomes the New Engine of Growth

At the third day’s Board of Changemakers session, leading investors including Sir Martin Sorrell, Noor Sweid, John Lindfors, and Fenglei Fang agreed that private capital — valued today at over $13 trillion and projected to surpass $20 trillion within five years — has become the world’s new economic backbone.

AI and Space: Redefining the Frontiers of Innovation

Continuing the week’s deep focus on technology, Philip Johnston of Starcloud announced the launch of the world’s first AI data center in space, powered by SpaceX’s 100x reduction in launch costs.

“We can now train AI off-planet — cooled by the cosmos,” he said.

In Rise of the Automata, Eric Jang of 1X Technologies revealed plans to deploy 100,000 humanoid robots by 2027, marking what he called “the dawn of robots building robots.”

FII Institute Board of Trustees Member Peter Diamandis introduced SAGE — the Sovereign AI Governance Engine, developed in Saudi Arabia to help nations adapt policies at AI speed.

“It is Saudi Arabia’s gift to the world,” he declared.

The Gulf: Capital of Capital

In a session exploring “Is the GCC Becoming a New Strategic Anchor for Global VC?”, Prince Fahad bin Mansour described Riyadh as “the capital of capital — where founders raise funds and global investors meet LPs.”

The session confirmed the Gulf’s emergence as one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems.

Empowering Global Entrepreneurs

At the FII Innovators Pitch 2025, startups in AI-designed medicine, diagnostic health, humanoid robotics, and sovereign computing captivated investors.

CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP), Ibrahim Abdulaziz Neyaz, pledged continued support to “enable creative entrepreneurs from around the world to serve humanity.”

Saudi Arabia: A Global Investment Hub

Running in Plenary B, the PIF Global Asset Management Forum confirmed the Kingdom’s rise as a world-class investment hub.

Yazeed Alhumied of PIF announced that Saudi Arabia’s asset management industry has exceeded SAR1 trillion in AUM, propelled by product innovation, global partnerships, and talent development.

Chairman of the Capital Markets Authority Mohammed El-Kuwaiz revealed that private capital is now the fastest-growing segment of Saudi finance, expanding at nearly twice the industry rate, with private credit assets more than doubling in recent years.

Executives from Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, State Street, and PIF discussed the rapid rise of private credit, ETFs, and quantitative investing — with Goldman’s Dennis Walsh calling the Kingdom “one of the most exciting emerging markets in the world for data-driven alpha.”

Reframing the Global Narrative

In “The Story Behind the Stories”, senior editors from Bloomberg, CNN, Al Arabiya, and Semafor reflected on Saudi Arabia’s transformation.

“Riyadh has shifted from being a place to raise capital to a place to invest capital,” said Manus Cranny of Bloomberg.

Caroline Faraj of CNN added, “AI is no longer a buzzword — it is a national imperative.”

Moderator Richard Attias, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Acting CEO of FII Institute, concluded,

“FII9 is a lesson in optimism.”

Hope, Peace, and Prosperity

The closing session, “Hope: How Peace Unlocks Prosperity,” offered an emotional finale as Venezuelan Nobel laureate María Corina Machado and Cecilia Attias discussed moral courage and human dignity.

“Peace requires freedom and justice,” said Machado. “It begins with inner coherence.”

A Tribute to Vision and Leadership

As FII9 drew to a close, Richard Attias dedicated the event to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, stating:

“You are the driving force of this nation, and the inspiration behind this initiative. Thank you for your vision, your hospitality, and your belief in what FII represents.”

He concluded by thanking the thousands of delegates who helped make FII9 the world’s premier investment conference — and a testament to Saudi Arabia’s role as a catalyst for global prosperity. (SPA)

FII9 2025: Saudi Arabia Leads the World Into a New AI-Powered Economic Era

ASIATODAY.ID, RIYADH — The ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) concluded today (October 30, 2025) with a resounding

asiatoday.id