Global leaders discuss key issues as FII 2019 day one comes to a close

The Future Investment Initiative (FII), powered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), launched its third annual edition on Tuesday, inviting thousands of delegates from all over the world in a rich agenda focused on the future of global investment.

“Here we don’t see politicians just talking politics. Asset managers just talking about assets; philanthropists just talking about society. Here we bring it all together – diversity, cooperation and friendship. Connecting capital with ideas, building relationships and doing deals,” HE Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, said in his opening speech.

Mirroring this, the conversations focused on investment for impact, competitiveness in the new economy and the challenges and opportunities of moving towards a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Artificial Intelligence and the complexities arising from within the global digital landscape were also in focus during plenary discussions, with the first day featuring on-stage discussions with Alain Bejjani, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Holding; Jim Breyer, Founder & CEO, Breyer Capital; and will.i.am, Founder & CEO, I.AM.PLUS.

In an evening panel titled “What’s Next for India?,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared insights on the strategies needed to turn demographic, environmental, and supply chain challenges into opportunities for equitable growth and prosperity.

His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan gave a special address to the audience, stating that “here in Saudi Arabia you will find an eager youth cohort, ready to play their part and incentivized by a leadership which speaks their language.”

At the event, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) announced 23 new foreign investment deals worth $15 billion. Coordinated under Invest Saudi, these agreements reflect the enormous potential that Saudi Arabia offers to investors from across the Kingdom and around the world.

Among the other speakers featured on the first day of FII 2019 were Rick Perry, Secretary of Energy USA; Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to the White House USA; Larry Fink, Founder Chairman & CEO, BlackRock; Noel Quinn, Group Chief Executive, HSBC Holdings plc; Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO, & Co-founder, The Blackstone Group L.P.; Tidjane Thiam, CEO, Credit Suisse Group AG; David R. Malpass, President, The World Bank; HE Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO & Managing Director, Mubadala Investment Company; and Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited to name a few.

The speakers at FII 2019 include nearly 300 leading global decision makers, investors and experts from more than 30 countries. More than 6,000 attendees have also registered their participation at the event.