SBJBC x IIG Real Estate Investment Programme
Executive Summary
The Saudi British Joint Business Council and International Investment Gate (IIG) convened leading industry professionals in London on 10th July to examine the evolving landscape of UK-Saudi real estate opportunities. This exclusive roundtable addressed the significant regulatory transformation occurring within the Kingdom, most notably the approval of new property ownership legislation for non-Saudi nationals, which represents a watershed moment for international investors seeking direct market access.
The event revealed compelling investment propositions across multiple sectors, with emphasis on the emerging opportunities in Medina through the Knowledge Economic City development. Market intelligence presented by JLL indicated substantial capital deployment potential, with over 1.4 trillion dollars in active project value across 255 initiatives. The regulatory framework discussion highlighted the transition from indirect fund-based investment structures to direct ownership models, effective January 2026, fundamentally altering the investment landscape for family offices and institutional investors.
Key market dynamics discussed included exceptional office space demand in Riyadh, with Grade A occupancy rates reaching 99.8 per cent, alongside significant supply shortages in logistics and hospitality sectors. The Medina case study demonstrated tourism growth, with visitor numbers increasing from 8 million in 2022 to 22 million in 2024, creating substantial opportunities for mixed-use development and hospitality investment.
The roundtable emphasised the importance of partnership strategies, with speakers consistently highlighting the Kingdom’s preference for investors who bring technical expertise and knowledge transfer capabilities rather than purely financial capital. This approach aligns with Vision 2030 objectives and presents opportunities for UK investors with established expertise in sustainable development, architectural innovation, and operational excellence.
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