In an analytical reading of the reality and future of the national economy, Shura Council member Dr. Abdullah Omar Al-Najjar affirmed that the meeting that brought together the Council with the Minister of Investment, Engineer Khalid Al-Falih, was not merely a routine review of performance indicators, but rather represented an explicit declaration that the investment system in the Kingdom has entered a new phase characterized by rigor and maturity, where the lesson is no longer about glittering slogans or abstract numbers, but rather about the standards of productivity, tangible economic impact, and long-term sustainability.
A radical shift in investment philosophy
Al-Najjar explained that the fundamental question surrounding investment in the Kingdom has undergone a radical transformation. The focus is no longer solely on the volume of financial flows, but has shifted to examining the quality of these investments, their destination, and the true value they add to the national economy. This shift is a direct result of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which has redefined investment from an activity dependent on traditional growth to an effective strategic tool for restructuring the economy. This vision has successfully moved the Kingdom from a position of reacting to available opportunities to one of creating opportunities, and from merely a traditionally attractive environment to a regional and global platform for investment decision-making, with the aim of localizing knowledge and maximizing local content.
Performance indicators and focus on future sectors
Recent data indicates the success of this strategy, with approximately 85% of foreign direct investment now concentrated in multinational corporations. This translates to bringing advanced technological and managerial expertise and integrating the Saudi economy into global value chains. Furthermore, the share of future-oriented and promising sectors in total investments has jumped from around 13% previously to nearly 60% currently, clearly demonstrating a redirection of capital towards advanced industries, technology, renewable energy, and logistics, and away from traditional, low-impact investments.
Investor experience: From marketing to accounting
Al-Najjar believes that measuring the success of an investment experience no longer depends solely on the moment of market entry. The Kingdom has adopted an “Investor Satisfaction Index” as a key performance indicator. This shift is a smart move from a focus on promotion and marketing to one of accountability based on the quality of the operational experience. Recognizing challenges such as procedural complexities, conflicting authorities, and high operating costs, and working to address them, is the true guarantee of investment sustainability and preventing failure.
Regional headquarters and area development
In a related context, the Kingdom's success in attracting more than 660 international companies to open their regional headquarters in Riyadh is a highly significant economic indicator, confirming the transformation of the Saudi capital into a center of gravity for regional decision-making, and not merely a consumer market. This transformation has direct positive implications for the localization of leadership and high-level jobs, and the transfer of global expertise.
Al-Najjar also praised the strategic approach of distributing quality projects across the various regions of the Kingdom based on the comparative advantages of each region, which promotes balanced development, creates local job opportunities, reduces internal migration to major cities, and supports local supply chains with high efficiency.
