Saudi prince extends invitation to Pakistani prime minister for the 'Davos in the Desert' financial conference
Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has been invited by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to attend the ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII) Forum, scheduled for October 27-30, 2025, in Riyadh. This global investment event, often referred to as "Davos in the Desert," is a significant platform for deepening economic partnerships and unlocking new investment avenues.
During his previous visit to the kingdom in October 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in high-level discussions on economic and strategic cooperation, resulting in the signing of 34 memoranda of understanding worth $2.8 billion. Seven of these agreements have since been converted into agreements valued at $560 million.
The FII Forum is an annual gathering that brings together global policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators. It provides a platform to explore investment trends, emerging technologies, and global economic strategies. Aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the forum is expected to draw a significant international turnout, including heads of state, global CEOs, prominent investors, and innovation leaders.
The support from Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in stabilizing Pakistan's external finances. It has also helped unlock International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout packages for Pakistan. In addition, Riyadh has bolstered Islamabad's foreign currency reserves by depositing money into Pakistan's central bank in recent years.
During his conversation with the Saudi leadership, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed recent regional developments in a warm and cordial atmosphere. Upon accepting the invitation, he conveyed warm greetings and respect to King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and the Saudi crown prince.
The ninth FII Forum is expected to focus on innovation, technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and broad investment cooperation, reflecting broader Saudi strategic goals. It is seen as a platform for fostering Saudi Arabia’s expanding global economic role, and may involve sectors like AI, tech, healthcare, and giga-projects. The forum typically serves as a space for announcing major investment deals and partnerships with both local and international investors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the FII Forum in Riyadh last October during a two-day official visit. Notably, the Saudi Crown Prince has invited high-profile personalities such as Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to attend, marking the first time the head of Bangladesh’s government was invited to this annual event. Past attendance numbers have reached around 8,500 participants, including top global CEOs.
In summary, the FII ninth edition aims to be a comprehensive forum for strengthening economic ties, fostering business collaborations, and showcasing Saudi Arabia’s investment opportunities, with expected participation from government leaders, global business figures, and innovation pioneers.
