RIYADH: The role of Saudi Arabia’s private sector in shaping the nation’s local economy will take center stage with the return of the Public Investment Fund’s Private Sector Forum.
The 2nd edition of the event will take place from Feb. 7 - 8 at the King Abdulzziz International Conference Center in the nation’s capital.
PIF outlined on its website that the event will welcome over 100 exhibitors, 20 workshops, 8,000 attendees, and 500 C-level executives from public and private sector companies.
Through panel discussions and workshops, the forum will spotlight the business opportunities presented by the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund and its portfolio companies. It will also reveal potential options for investors and suppliers, making concerted efforts to optimize collaboration opportunities.
Prominent speakers at the event will include Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, as well as Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Faleh.
The wealth fund noted that it intends for the forum to serve as a “bridge” between the PIF, its portfolio companies and the private sector in Saudi Arabia.
Some of the most notable portfolio companies to be present include King Abdullah Financial District, Ma’aden, stc and ACWA Power.
It further aims to promote and strengthen localization and support the development of stable supply chains in key sectors.
The event is also designed to be an engagement platform, hoping to provide networking opportunities for players in the industry, direct access to register as a supplier with portfolio companies and information about PIF programs that are designed to empower the private sector.
In a release, they noted that the forum will be “an opportunity to hear from thought leaders across key government entities, PIF, and its portfolio companies. They will discuss the importance of the private sector for Saudi Arabia’s development, the success stories of collaboration between the private sector and PIF, and opportunities for the private sector in emerging sectors and giga-projects.”
It added: “The forum will host specialized workshops conducted by subject matter experts from PIF and its portfolio companies designed for the private sector. These workshops will offer the private sector details on specific localization investments and supply chain opportunities. It will also provide visibility on the expected demand for key products and services, which will help the private sector make informed investment decisions.”