European Businesses Explore New Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH — Economic relations between the European Union and Saudi Arabia are entering a new phase of expansion, driven by new partnerships and deeper investment commitments, according to the European Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia.

Kristijonas Gedvilas, CEO of ECCKSA, told Asharq Al-Awsat that there is “real momentum to build on” pointing toward more European investment landing in the Kingdom. The upcoming 10th EU-GCC Business Forum, if held in Riyadh, would mark a key milestone in strengthening the economic partnership, he said.

Trade in goods and services between the EU and Saudi Arabia reached €88.8 billion ($102.44 billion) in 2025, with EU exports growing at an average annual rate of 11 percent since 2021. The EU accounts for 29 percent of Saudi Arabia’s total foreign direct investment stock, making it the Kingdom’s largest source of foreign capital. More than a quarter of the multinational companies that have established regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia are European.

ECCKSA, established two years ago, now represents member companies employing more than 25,000 people across the Kingdom, with over 2,500 European companies operating in Saudi Arabia. The chamber inaugurated its new headquarters in Riyadh last June.

Gedvilas highlighted the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor as a strategic initiative that reinforces the Gulf’s position as a hub linking Europe with Asia and Africa, cementing Saudi Arabia’s role as a central node in that network with gains in trade, logistics, and foreign direct investment. The European Parliament adopted a resolution on EU-Saudi relations in December 2025 recognizing the role of EU-GCC cooperation in advancing such infrastructure.

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