Periodical Briefing: Saudi Arabia Convenes the World for FII9, Unveils Makkah Mega-Project, Brokers Historic Diplomatic Recognition

 The second half of October marked a period of intense and highly successful strategic activity for Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom simultaneously hosted a landmark global investment summit, announced a transformative mega-project in Makkah, and facilitated a major diplomatic breakthrough in the region. The convergence of these events underscored the Kingdom's accelerating economic diversification and its increasingly pivotal role as a global and regional leader.
 Top Stories:
 FII9 Kicks Off with 9,000 Delegates; Investment Minister Says 40% of Budget is Non-Oil
 The ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII9) conference served as the central stage, drawing over 9,000 delegates to Riyadh and reinforcing its status as a premier platform for global partnership. PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan announced that deals worth over $250 billion have been concluded through the platform since its inception, while Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih provided tangible proof of the Kingdom's transformation, revealing that 40% of the state budget is now funded by non-oil revenues and that foreign direct investment has quadrupled.
 HRH the Crown Prince Announces 'King Salman Gate' Mega-Project in Makkah
 HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has announced the launch of King Salman Gate, a transformative multi-use development adjacent to the Grand Mosque. The project will span up to 12 million square meters, provide capacity for around 900,000 prayer spaces, and generate more than 300,000 jobs by 2036.
 Saudi Arabia Welcomes Syria’s Recognition of Kosova After Historic Trilateral Meeting
 Saudi Arabia has welcomed the Syrian government's recognition of the Republic of Kosova. This announcement followed a historic trilateral meeting in Riyadh between HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani. The Kingdom stated that it looks forward to this step contributing to bilateral cooperation and prosperity.
 The period by numbers:
 5.0%: The robust real GDP growth recorded in the third quarter of 2025, driven by a 4.5% rise in non-oil activities.
 1 Million: The number of visitors to Riyadh Season 2025 in just its first 13 days, confirming its status as a major global entertainment event.
 SAR1.05 Billion: The annual spending on mineral exploration in 2024, representing a fivefold increase over the past four years.
 SAR100 Billion: The milestone reached in total credit facilities provided by the Saudi EXIM Bank since 2020 to support non-oil exports.
 54.5 Million: The total number of worshippers and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques during the single month of Rabi Al-Thani 1447 AH.
 4,500 Megawatts: The total capacity of five new renewable energy projects awarded, including a new world record for the lowest cost of wind energy.
 $11 Billion: The value of Saudi Aramco's Jafurah midstream leaseback deal with an international consortium led by GIP/BlackRock.
 $6.8 Billion: The value of a new MoU between the PIF and UK Export Finance to promote UK company engagement in Saudi projects.
 99%: The one-year kidney graft survival rate at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, placing it among the world's best centers.
 $500 Million+: The amount provided by Saudi Arabia in 2025 to support global efforts to eradicate polio.
 60%: The portion of Saudi Arabia's population that is now physically active, up from just 13% in 2018.
 SAR133 Billion: The total value of partnerships and investments announced at the Global Health Exhibition, reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a leading global healthcare destination.
 $31.5 Billion: The total contribution of the agricultural sector to the Kingdom's GDP in 2024.
 60,000: The number of people surveyed across 32 countries for the 2025 FII PRIORITY Compass, which found the cost of living is now the first global concern.
 In summary, the latter half of October was marked by significant economic and diplomatic announcements. The FII9 conference served as a platform for major investment deals in AI, energy, and finance, coinciding with the release of strong 5.0% Q3 GDP growth figures. During this period, the King Salman Gate mega-project in Makkah was unveiled, and the Kingdom hosted a historic trilateral meeting that resulted in Syria's formal recognition of Kosova.