RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s gross fixed capital formation reached SR296 billion ($79 billion) in the second quarter of 2024, marking a 6.1 percent year-on-year increase, according to recent data. The Ministry of Investment attributed this growth primarily to the non-government sector, which holds an 86.45 percent share of total GFCF. This sector saw an 8.2 percent increase, reaching SR255.9 billion, reflecting robust private-sector activity aligned with Vision 2030’s targets to boost private investment. Conversely, GFCF in the government sector declined by 5.2 percent to SR40.1 billion. GFCF, which measures net investments in assets like infrastructure, machinery, and construction, is a key indicator of long-term economic potential, as it reflects capacity-building investments that drive productivity and growth. Saudi Arabia’s appeal as a top investment destination continues to grow, with the Ministry of Investment issuing 3,810 licenses in the third quarter — a 73.7 percent annual rise, excluding permits from the Tasattur anti-concealment initiative. This strong performance highlights the Kingdom’s successful positioning as a competitive market, driven by an increasingly stable and business-friendly environment, according to the report. The ministry’s October report, which aligns its data with the latest IMF guidelines, showed that Saudi Arabia’s foreign direct investment stock reached SR897 billion in 2023, a 13.4 percent increase from 2022. Excluding the one-time SR55 billion Aramco pipeline deal, the data showed that net inflows — representing the total new foreign capital coming into the country after accounting for outflows — also surged by 91 percent during this period, reaching SR86 billion. As Saudi Arabia pushes toward its goal of making FDI 5.7 percent of its gross domestic product by 2030, this upswing in foreign capital not only strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a global investment hub but also reinforces the ongoing expansion in GFCF, contributing to sustainable economic growth. Saudi Arabia has been advancing a range of initiatives to attract and deepen foreign investment, positioning itself as a hub for international business in the Middle East. One such measure, announced in 2021, requires foreign companies bidding for government contracts to establish regional headquarters within the Kingdom by 2024. This mandate has already encouraged major firms to set up shops in Riyadh, underscoring the Saudi government’s commitment to drawing long-term investment. The Public Investment Fund has also played a critical role in bolstering the investment landscape. Recently, PIF signed a memorandum of understanding with Brookfield Asset Management to become an anchor investor in Brookfield Middle East Partners. This private equity platform plans to raise $2 billion to invest in various high-growth sectors, such as technology, healthcare, and industrials. Additionally, at least half of BMEP’s capital will be allocated to Saudi-based companies, facilitating FDI inflows directly into the Kingdom. Another major win came with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, which recently secured approval to establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh. This move is set to expand BlackRock’s Middle East operations significantly, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’ appeal as an investment destination for global financial firms.