Kingdom, US push for more joint investment projects

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Saudi Arabia and the United States are intensifying efforts to expand joint investment projects, with Saudi Investment Minister Fahad Al-Saif highlighting a rise in US investments and increased localization in sectors like aerospace and defense. This deepening economic partnership is reflected in substantial bilateral trade and investment flows, including Saudi holdings of $17 billion in US assets and plans for a $500 billion US AI project involving Saudi-backed SoftBank.

Saudi Arabia and the United States are actively pursuing expanded collaboration on joint investment projects, with a focus on translating opportunities into concrete ventures. Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister Fahad Al-Saif outlined these efforts during a videoconference session of the US-Saudi Business Council on October 26.

Al-Saif detailed the uptick in American investments in Saudi Arabia and highlighted the goals set forth by the Kingdom’s National Investment Strategy. Discussions centered on increasing US corporate investments, enhancing joint initiatives, localizing industrial production, and broadening supply chains to benefit both nations.

The minister emphasized rising interest from US companies, noting that 371 new investment licenses were issued in Saudi Arabia in 2025. That number had climbed to approximately 530 by late 2026, indicating continued growth in foreign direct investment activity.

Al-Saif also pointed to the strong reciprocal nature of investment relations. Saudi investors maintain a significant presence in the US market, and financial partnerships help facilitate capital flows in both directions. In aerospace and defense sectors, efforts are underway to move beyond traditional supply and procurement arrangements toward greater localization of manufacturing and the establishment of strategic partnerships with American firms.

Trade figures between the two countries underline the depth of economic ties. Data from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics shows bilateral trade reached 1.54 trillion Saudi riyals ($357 billion) from 2015 through 2024. Saudi exports during this period—primarily oil, fertilizers, and organic chemicals—totaled $170 billion, while imports, largely machinery, vehicles, and medical equipment, exceeded $187 billion. Trade volume stood at more than 87.9 billion riyals during the first eight months of 2025, reflecting a 3 percent decline compared with previous periods. Saudi exports in that timeframe accounted for about 29 billion riyals, with imports from the US surpassing 60 billion riyals.

Regarding investment holdings, Saudi Arabia’s direct investment stock in the US was valued at $17 billion at the end of 2024 across various sectors, according to US Bureau of Economic Analysis data. The Kingdom’s holdings in US Treasury securities amounted to $131.7 billion as of July 2025, ranking it as the 18th largest holder globally. The Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, held $19.4 billion invested in the US stock market as of the third quarter of 2025, concentrated in six companies including Lucid Motors, Uber Technologies, Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Allergion Technologies, and Claritex.

Additionally, SoftBank Group, whose Vision Fund receives investment from the PIF, announced plans to contribute to a US artificial intelligence project involving $500 billion in investments.

Over the nine-year span from 2016 to 2024, US foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia totaled 566.6 billion Saudi riyals, underscoring a sustained and growing economic partnership between the two nations.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.