Ministry of Investment headquarters
Net foreign direct investments (FDIs) in Saudi Arabia fell by around 21% year-on-year (YoY) to SAR 6.2 billion in Q2 2023, hitting their lowest levels in three years, or since Q3 2020, as per the latest data issued by the Ministry of Investment.
The FDIs balance amounted to SAR 1.02 billion by the end of the second quarter, up by nearly 1% compared to Q1 2023. This indicated confidence of foreign investors in the Kingdom’s investment environment.
The number of investment licenses issued by the ministry stood at 1,819 in the second quarter of 2023, reflecting a more than 94% growth.
Q2 2023 Investment Indicators | |
Index | Details |
Net FDI inflows (SAR bln) | 6.2 |
Growth rate of net FDIs inflows (Annually) | 21% |
Nominal gross fixed capital formation (SAR bln) | 278.9 |
Nominal gross fixed capital formation growth rate (Annually) | +7% |
Balance of FDIs (SAR bln) | 1022.9 |
FDIs balance growth rate (Quarterly) | +1% |
Number of issued investment licenses* | 1819 |
Growth rate of issued investment licenses* | +94% |
*Except for licenses issued under the campaign of combating violators of the commercial concealment system as of Q1 2021 until Q2 2023. The number of investment licenses issued are preliminary and subject to update.
The following table illustrates FDIs in the Kingdom since Q1 2021:
FDIs Direct Investments in Saudi Arabia* | ||
Period | Value (SAR bln) | YoY Change |
Q1 2021 | 6.7 | +11% |
Q2** | 51.9 | — |
Q3 | 6.5 | +59% |
Q4 | 7.2 | +3% |
Q1 2022 | 7.4 | +10% |
Q2 | 7.9 | (85%) |
Q3 | 7.1 | +11% |
Q4 | 7.2 | (0.4%) |
Q1 2023 | 8.1 | +10% |
Q2 | 6.2 | (21%) |
*Updated data.
** SAR 46.5 bln FDI inflows on Saudi Aramco deal
