Diryah Company Signs $827 Million Deal to Develop Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences

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LATEST NEWS

In Today’s Edition:

• Diryah Company Signs $827 Million Deal to Develop Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences

• Saudi Arabia to Open its Capital Market to Foreign Investors from February 1st, 2026

• Saudi Arabia Allows Foreign Proper Owners to Secure Long Term Premium Residency

• Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Ranks 5th Among World’s Largest Sovereign Wealth Funds

• Today’s Newsletter’s Sponsor

HOSPITALITY

✨Diryah Company Signs $827 Million Deal to Develop Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences

Diriyah Company has finalized a massive $827 million (SAR 3.1 billion) joint development agreement with Midad Real Estate to build the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Diriyah.

Key Takeaways:

• The $827 million investment covers both land acquisition and construction costs.

• Situated within the Diriyah masterplan, the project is part of a broader vision to host nearly 40 luxury hotels across the Diriyah and Wadi Safar areas.

• The development will feature a 159-room ultra-luxury hotel alongside high-end branded private residences, spanning a total area of 235,938 square meters.

The partnership between Diriyah Company and Midad Real Estate to bring the Four Seasons brand to the historic heart of the Kingdom highlights the rapid evolution of Saudi Arabia's luxury tourism sector. Read more

TRAVEL

✨Saudi Arabia to Open its Capital Market to Foreign Investors from February 1st, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) has announced a landmark decision to fully open the Kingdom’s capital market to all categories of foreign investors starting February 1, 2026.

Key Takeaways:

• The new framework eliminates the need for complex swap agreements, which were previously used by non-resident foreigners to gain economic exposure without actually owning shares.

• By broadening the investor base, the CMA expects to significantly increase trading volumes and improve price discovery, leading to a more stable and resilient financial environment.

• The reforms officially scrap the Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) system, which previously restricted market access to a select group of international institutions that met strict eligibility criteria.

Beginning February 1, 2026, Saudi Arabia will remove the final major barriers to its financial markets, allowing global investors direct and unrestricted access to its stock exchange (Tadawul). Read more

TRAVEL

✨Saudi Arabia Allows Foreign Proper Owners to Secure Long Term Premium Residency

Saudi Arabia has introduced a significant new pathway to its Premium Residency program, allowing non-Saudi nationals to secure long-term residency through real estate investment.

Key Takeaways:

• The real estate must be fully developed (not raw land), designated for residential use, and must be free from all existing and future mortgages.

• Properties must be appraised by accredited valuers recognized by the Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers (Taqeem) to confirm they meet the minimum value requirement.

• There is a one-time application fee of SAR 4,000 ($1,067). Residency is self-sponsored, removing the need for the traditional "Kafeel" (employer sponsorship) system.

By linking residency directly to property ownership, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a top-tier destination for global real estate investors. Read more

THE PIF

✨Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Ranks 5th Among World’s Largest Sovereign Wealth Funds

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has officially secured its position as the 5th largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, with its total Assets Under Management (AUM) reaching an impressive $1.15 trillion.

Key Takeaways:

• The fund’s assets grew by $226 billion in just one year, rising from $925 billion at the end of 2024 to $1.15 trillion.

• About 55% of the portfolio is dedicated to alternative assets, including high-growth sectors like technology, infrastructure, and renewable energy.

• The fund remains the primary vehicle for Vision 2030, having already created over 1.1 million direct and indirect jobs and established over 100 portfolio companies.

The PIF’s ascent to the global top five highlights its evolution into a world-class investment powerhouse. Read more

This Newsletter Is Sponsored by Welcome Saudi

The No. 1 Travel Website To Discover The Best Hotels, Restaurants & Tourist Destinations in Saudi Arabia