Riyadh Municipality Launches New Investment Opportunity in Key Sectors
RIYADH: Riyadh Municipality introduced 20 new investment opportunities for 2025 for development in commercial, residential, retail, industrial and leisure sectors. The project, which spans over 20 locations and covers more than 175,000 sq. meters include mixed-use developments, retail spaces, mobile sports clubs, and construction material factories. Moreover, there are provisions for cafes and ATMs.
Furas, municipality’s online platform for central hub for real estate and municipal investment opportunities allows investors to go through these projects. This project supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 which aims to boost private sector investment in urban development.
The project aims to boost the collaboration between the government and investors, enhance urban life and speed up economic growth, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The investment site contracts are from five to twenty-five years across strategic locations such as Jarir, Al-Deerah, Al-Rawdah, Al-Hamra, and Al-Qadisiyah. The envelope opening is set for May 2025 and the interested investors can review the application process via a dedicated link.
Riyadh opened 87 new parks in the last 3 years, reaching a total of over 700 parks, in an attempt to improve the city’s livability. With around 25,000 shrubs and 7,000 trees spanning over 745,000 sq. meters, the green areas promote social, cultural, and recreational activities within the community.
Riyadh is on its way to becoming a vibrant, sustainable city with the help of these strategic investments and urban enhancements aligning with Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia Shifts Towards an EV Future
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is making notable developments in its electric vehicle (EV) sector, as part of its Vision 2030 strategy which aims to diversify the economy from oil. The kingdom is establishing itself as a leader in the global automotive industry by making significant investments in infrastructure, supply chain localization, and technology.
The Saudi government wants 30% of its vehicles in Riyadh to be electric by 2030. In order to achieve this, the kingdom has heavily invested in US-based Lucid Motors and launched Ceer, an EV brand, with an aim to release its first models in 2026. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has granted Lucid $3.4 billion to make 155,000 EVs a year and a $5.6 billion deal is granted to Human Horizons to boost the kingdom’s manufacturing capabilities.
Saudi Arabia is focusing on battery manufacture by investing $9 billion in EV-related materials while utilising its $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources. The kingdom is growing its network of charging stations to encourage the use of EVs through renewable energy initiatives and public-private partnerships.
The government is working with global tech firms to use AI and automation in the manufacture of vehicles. Initiatives like NEOM and KAEC are also improving supply chains, generating jobs and reducing dependency on imports. By 2034, Ceer Motors is expected to create 30,000 jobs.
Saudi Arabia is becoming a key player in the global EV industry, due to the financial incentives, regulatory support and partnerships with global manufacturers like Foxconn and Hyundai. Even though there are challenges in supply chain and infrastructure, rapid developments indicate a competitive future for next generation mobility.
$266M Program Launched in Saudi Arabia to Promote Eco-friendly Projects
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia announced a new environmental financing initiative worth SR1 billion ($266.6 million) in partnership with Riyad Bank. The initiative focuses on encouraging private sector investments in sustainable and eco-friendly projects.
Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, the minister of environment, water, and agriculture, who also chairs the Environmental Fund’s board of directors, officially introduced the initiative. The launch coupled with the introduction of a digital platform for the incentives and Grants Program which is intended to boost innovation and enable environmental investments.
Munir bin Fahd Al-Sahli, CEO of the Environmental Fund pointed out that the goal of the financing program is to draw in private investments to improve environmental infrastructure and meteorological services. It will grant businesses financial incentives to adopt eco-friendly practices. The initiatives support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives which aims to improve the quality of life and environmental sustainability.
The newly launched digital platform will make it easier to access grants and incentives as well as to ensure regulatory compliance and support outstanding environmental projects. Various entities such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), corporations, research centers, universities, and nonprofit organizations will benefit from this initiative.
The Environmental Fund and the Small and Medium Enterprises Loan Guarantee Program (Kafalah) signed an agreement as part of this initiative. This partnership will provide credit guarantees to SMEs, allowing lenders to fund environmental projects.
The Environmental Fund continues to come up with projects which will protect natural resources, lower pollution and raise environmental awareness. This initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s efforts for economic development while maintaining sustainability.
Saudi Arabia Generates $704m from Sukuk Issuances in March
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia generated SR2.64 billion ($704 million) through sukuk issuances in March as part of its continuous efforts to leverage debt markets and encourage economic diversification.
The issuance was split into four tranches: SR364 million expiring in 2027, SR316 million maturing in 2029, SR1.46 billion due in 2032 and SR500 million scheduled for 2039.
This latest offering follows previous issuances of SR3.07 billion in February and SR3.72 billion in January. The kingdom also generated SR11.59 billion in December and SR3.41 billion in November.
Saudi Arabia continues to be a key player in the global sukuk market, drawing foreign investors despite the rising interest rates. Sukuk, a Shariah-compliant financial instrument, lets investors to partly own assets while adhering to Islamic finance standards.
Kuwait Financial Center (Markaz)’s March report points out Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) debt market. The kingdom generated $79.5 billion in 2024 with 79 issuances in 2024, accounting for 53.7% of the GCC’s total debt issuances.
Saudi Arabia generated €2.25 billion ($2.36 billion) in February from euro-denominated bond sale, which featured the country’s first green tranche under the Global Medium-Term Note Issuance Program.
S&P Global forecasts global sukuk issuances to raise $190-$200 billion in 2025, with Saudi Arabia playing a key role. Moreover, Kamco invest predicts that the kingdom would top the GCC bond and sukuk maturities, amounting to $168 billion between 2025 and 2029, with government issuances reaching $110.2 billion.
