"The investment climate in Saudi Arabia is excellent. Opportunities are aplenty, the competition is marginal and the market is accessible," Mohammad Niqab Khan told Arab News.
Khan was highly appreciative of the Saudi Arabian General Authority (SAGIA), the government body that looks after foreign investors in the Kingdom.
"Their 'express service' is especially commendable. Their documentation and transactional processing and coordination with different departments like immigration, Ministry of Commerce and others under one roof is of great help to everyone," he said.
According to Khan, there are more than 300 Pakistani investors in the Kingdom. Almost half of them are based in the Western Region, which is represented by PIF's Jeddah chapter.
PIF is a non-profit organization formed three years ago by the Pakistani Consulate in Jeddah.
PIF's Riyadh chapter takes care of Pakistani investors in the Central Region and Eastern Province. Yet Khan said the two chapters are independent of each other.
He said there is a possibility of both merging in the future to create better synergy and cooperation.
Khan, who also runs Ambela Business and Technology Center, a company for automation, control and energy solutions, estimated Pakistani investment in Saudi Arabia at around SR2 billion.
The sectors where Pakistanis have a presence in the Kingdom include general contracting, telecommunications, manufacturing, oil processing, chemicals, decoration, (interior and exterior), pre-cast, civil contracting, services (hotels, restaurants, travel, cargo) automation and control solutions and power protection systems.
PIF is a 60-member body with 20 founding members that form the advisory board. Khan said PIF actively coordinates with SAGIA as well as the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
The forum's vice president Salman Arain is currently heading one of the JCCI committees for foreign investors.
The forum’s activities include guiding newcomers in establishing their businesses and coordinating members by sharing business opportunities and supporting each other.
The organization is going to publish a directory of Pakistani investors in the Western Region, which will include details such as their scope of work.
