FII investing for human impact
The 9th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) in Riyadh witnessed a significant investment and human transformation, embodying a new vision championed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to promote investments with a direct impact on the lives of communities. This comes as the initiative has, since its inception, achieved investment deals exceeding $200 billion.
The participation of Syrian President Ahmed alsharaa at the conference, in the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was a pivotal moment symbolizing Syria's return to the Arab fold and the opening of a new chapter of economic cooperation and reconstruction.
This year, the initiative successfully spearheaded a radical reorientation towards social impact investing, in response to the resurgence of the cost-of-living crisis as a primary global concern. The goal is no longer merely generating quick profits, but rather channeling capital towards sectors that have a more profound impact on people's lives, namely: infrastructure, healthcare, education, food security, and renewable energy.
This shift embodies the philosophy of Richard Attias, CEO of the FII Institute, who believes that investing in the "renaissance of Syria," for example, can create a massively positive impact across the entire region.
Syria's participation in the conference sent a strong message that the country has turned the page on war and opened its doors to global investment. President Alsharaa revealed that Syria has attracted $28 billion in investments in the past ten months alone. Syria possesses several attributes that make it an attractive destination, most notably:
- Strategic Location: Described by President Alsharaa as the "Gateway to the East and the Silk Road," Syria is a vital commercial corridor for reconnecting global supply chains.
- Rich Investment Opportunities: Syrian President stated, "Opportunities in Syria are immense and open to all. Every disaster is an investment opportunity, and every destroyed stone we will rebuild anew."
- Legislative Reforms: The investment law has been amended to rank among the top ten such laws globally, granting foreign investors full rights, including the transfer of their funds abroad.
On the sidelines of the initiative, agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed to accelerate the reconstruction process in Syria and support its economy. The initiative brought together under its umbrella more than 8,000 participants and 650 prominent speakers, including leaders from over 20 countries, for a global dialogue shaping the future.
Under the Kingdom's stewardship and with the significant presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—notably at the Syrian President's session—the event powerfully reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's central role in fostering regional stability and prosperity.
The 9th edition of the Future Investment Initiative was not merely a standard economic conference; it was a declaration of a new phase, where capital shifts from seeking quick profits to creating a deep human impact. Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the initiative successfully transformed Syria from a symbol of conflict into a story of hope, proving that conscious investment is the most powerful tool for building and reconstruction, and that economic cooperation is the strongest bridge towards a more stable and prosperous future for all.
