The FII Priority Summit in Miami was all about US-Saudi investment, featuring the announcement of an Invest Saudi office in Miami and a renewed focus on active investments. Saudi Arabia outlined plans to expand its presence in the US and beyond, with global executives highlighting the Kingdom as a prime investment opportunity. Notable attendees included Elon Musk, Saudi ambassador Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and business leaders such as TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.

The first day of the summit saw an in-person address by US President Donald Trump, where he laid praise on the Kingdom and its leadership and thanked Riyadh for mediating talks with Russia on Ukraine and facilitating a recent prisoner swap. The president also proclaimed the start of a new “golden age of the United States” during his hour-long speech.

Invest Saudi expands to Miami: Saudi Arabia will open an Invest Saudi office in Miami — its second in the US — to capitalize on the city’s emerging profile as a hub for funds, family offices, and tech investments as well as as a “gateway” to South America, Bloomberg quotes Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih as saying at the FII summit. The move follows Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's pledge to increase Saudi investments in the US by USD 600 bn over the coming four years.

PIF eyes more US investments despite regulatory hurdles: PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan signaled plans to expand US investments despite regulatory barriers, according to the SaudiGazette. Speaking at the summit, Al-Rumayyan highlighted that 40% of PIF’s global investments are in the US, citing major recent transactions such as Savvy Games Group’s USD 4.9 bn Scopely acquisition.

US first: The US is Saudi’s first choice for investments abroad, with Saudi investments in the US exceeding USD 750 bn, and 25% of FDI inflows coming from the US, Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih was quoted by Asharq Business.

How does that fit in PIF’s new direction? The sovereign wealth fund has shifted its investment strategy and is planning to reduce overseas exposure from 30% to 18-20% while shifting focus to support domestic diversification projects and encourage co-investment from foreign firms within the Kingdom. The fund is imposing stricter conditions on external managers and encouraging partnerships aligned with national priorities.

DATA POINT- Assets under management in Saudi Arabia’s public markets have surged 150% since 2018 to USD 270 bn, PIF Deputy Governor Yazeed Al-Humied said in a post on X. Al-Humid noted ongoing regulatory improvements in the financial sector and expects local companies to increasingly rely on financial markets to power their growth, according to statements cited by Asharq Business.

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