Riyadh hosted the Saudi-US Investment Forum at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center on May 13, coinciding with the state visit of US President Donald J. Trump to Saudi Arabia.

 

This invitation-only forum, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Investment, brought together senior government officials, global CEOs, entrepreneurs, and investors to deepen economic ties and explore new investment opportunities between the two nations.

 

The event underscored nearly a century of strategic partnership, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda to diversify its economy and foster sustainable growth.

 

Forum agenda: Innovation, strategic sectors

The forum’s agenda was packed with ministerial dialogues, executive panels, and leadership roundtables, focusing on priority sectors including energy, finance, technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and national-scale development initiatives.

 

The event opened with a session on Saudi-US relations, followed by discussions on energy transition, market stability, and fiscal-monetary policy coordination.

 

Key Saudi speakers included Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Minister of Communications and IT Abdullah Al-Swaha, Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, and Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal.

 

Prominent US participants included BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna, and Google and Alphabet President and CIO Ruth Porat.

 

Core sessions addressed cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, and industrial strategy. A dedicated panel explored the development of hyperscale data centers and AI applications, reflecting the growing importance of technology in the bilateral relationship.

 

Another session focused on redesigning global financial architecture through cross-border capital flows and regulatory innovation. The forum also highlighted opportunities in advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, and localized supply chains, emphasizing industrial resilience.

 

Additional programming showcased Saudi Arabia’s preparations for hosting Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, both anchor projects within Vision 2030.

 

Roundtable discussions covered biotechnology, digital health, aerospace, education, tourism, and venture capital, fostering direct engagement between US and Saudi executives to identify investment pathways in these high-growth sectors.

 

The forum concluded with the signing of bilateral agreements, formal recognition of key partners, and closing remarks by senior leaders from both countries.

 

High-profile attendees

The forum attracted a star-studded lineup of business leaders, including Elon Musk (Tesla), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Sam Altman (OpenAI), Jane Fraser (Citigroup), Kelly Ortberg (Boeing), and David Sacks, the White House AI and cryptocurrency czar. Approximately 15 Saudi ministers and top officials, along with CEOs of major Saudi companies and giga-projects, were also in attendance.

 

The presence of such high-profile figures underscored the event’s significance as a platform for forging strategic partnerships.

 

Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih emphasized the Kingdom’s goal to deepen its investments in the US across to USD 600 in various sectors, a target set by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in January 2025.

 

President Trump, during his visit, expressed ambitions for Saudi Arabia to invest up to USD 1 trillion in the US economy over four years, including military purchases. While economists have questioned the feasibility of these figures given Saudi Arabia’s budget constraints and domestic megaprojects, the forum signaled strong intent to expand bilateral investments.