Regional geopolitical shocks have dampened investor appetite and suppressed FDI inflows into Saudi, Arqaam Capital’s head of fixed income asset management Abdul Kadr Hussain tells Bloomberg TV (watch, runtime: 5:55). In discussing the Kingdom’s third quarter “anemic FDI” inflows, Hussain emphasized a broader structural issue whereby the Kingdom’s investment landscape continues to be led by PIF and government-led initiatives as foreign investors adopt a “wait and see” approach towards large diversification-focused investments.

Getting our ducks in a row: A new investment law set to roll out in 2025 and other reforms promoting transparency and ease of doing business will have to take root and “bed in” before foreign investors move in, Hussain said. Nevertheless, a large-scale influx of foreign investors will take place eventually due to continued growth and improvement in Saudi’s economy and infrastructure base.

(** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background and outside sources.)

ALSO- The Guardian is putting two of our critical oil ports — Ras Tanura and Yanbu — in the spotlight amid climate-driven rising sea levels. The low-lying hubs, which are operated by Saudi Aramco and collectively handle 98% of the Kingdom’s oil exports, are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, the British daily wrote citing a climate study.

The irony isn’t lost on the scientists, who point out that the emissions driving global heating — and consequently higher sea levels — emanate from the very industry that is now at risk.

Tags: