Arab News
Arab News, Thu, Feb 13, 2025 | Shaban 14, 1446
Saudi Arabia’s PIF offers $10.67bn investment opportunities to strengthen local industries
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is
offering SR40 billion ($10.67 billion) in investment opportunities through its
private sector platform to strengthen local industries, supply chains, and
business growth, its governor said.
Speaking at the third PIF Private Sector Forum in
Riyadh, Yasir Al-Rumayyan highlighted that the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund
and its portfolio companies have invested around SR400 billion into local
content from 2020 to 2023, supported by the MUSAHAMA Local Content Development
Program.
With assets exceeding $700 billion, PIF plays a
central role in Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification under Vision 2030. Al-Rumayyan
emphasized that sustainable growth is driven by regulatory reforms and economic
diversification efforts, with PIF serving as a key enabler.
The fund’s governor said that partnerships with
private firms remain essential to PIF’s strategy, as Saudi Arabia continues
regulatory reforms to foster long-term economic growth.
According to Al-Rumayyan, the fund’s efforts have
significantly increased local content contribution, raising its share from 47
percent to 53 percent across PIF and its subsidiaries.
During his keynote speech, Jerry Todd, head of the
National Development Division at PIF, addressed the 10,000 private sector
attendees, emphasizing that the forum is designed to provide critical
information and access to three major opportunity areas.
“For suppliers, there are 100 PIF portfolio
companies next door in the main hall, ready to discuss their procurement
priorities and show you how you can register and qualify as a vendor,” Todd
said.
He added: “For supply chain developers, we will
have dedicated sessions on automotive, transportation, and logistics, and for
investors, 14 PIF portfolio companies will be sharing opportunities over the
next two days.”
Todd also provided updates on two recently
launched initiatives aimed at empowering Saudi talent.
“The first, which the governor mentioned, is our
Accelerated Manufacturing Program. Thirteen small and medium enterprises were
selected from 350 applicants for a six-month intensive program that began last
September,” he said.
Todd added: “They will graduate tomorrow and have
already secured 12 commercial agreements and two product development agreements
with PIF portfolio companies. Seven private sector MoUs will be signed over the
next two days, and they have tapped into seven new export markets.”
Highlighting the second initiative, Todd
introduced the MUSAHAMA Design Competition, stating: “373 Saudi architectural
students and 160 emerging local design firms have been competing to reimagine a
community zone within one of our ROSHN developments, focusing on maximizing the
use of locally sourced building materials.”
Todd said that the forum serves as a platform for
businesses to explore opportunities in three key areas: supplying goods and
services to PIF portfolio companies, developing local tech-enabled supply chains
to support emerging sectors, and investing in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding
economy.
“I encourage you to meet with participants from
both of these programs. Their progress, their potential, and their energy are
inspiring and remind us all of our young people, who are our nation’s greatest
asset,” Todd said.
He concluded by urging the private sector to
collaborate in stimulating local demand, expanding domestic supply chains, and
creating investment opportunities across the Kingdom.