Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih pushed back against skepticism over the country's economic diversification plan, as Riyadh touts "green shoring" investment opportunities to woo foreign financing.
The Saudi minister on Saturday said that, eight years into manifesting Vision 2030, the kingdom is now "more committed, more determined" to the program and has already implemented or is about to complete 87% of its targets.
The number of foreign investment licenses issued in Saudi Arabia nearly doubled in 2023, the IMF noted, with government data pointing to a 5.6% annual increase in net flows of foreign direct investment in the first quarter.
Concerns have nevertheless lingered over the potential uncertainty and unpredictability of the kingdom's legal framework and its dispute resolution system for foreign investment.
Al-Falih insisted that Saudi Arabia boasts predictability, as well as domestic political and economic stability.
Persons:
Khalid, Falih, CNBC's Steve Sedgwick, Mohammed bin Salman's
Organizations:
International Monetary Fund, IMF
Locations:
Saudi, Riyadh, Cernobbio, Italy, U.S, Saudi Arabia