Saudi FII conference scraps in-person attendance, considers postponing event: sources

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Saudi Arabia has decided to scrap in-person attendance at its flagship investment conference this year, four sources familiar with the matter tell Reuters, following deadly attacks which rocked the kingdom in recent weeks as the Middle East conflict widens, disrupting local business.

The Future Investment Initiative, or FII, was planned for October 26 to 29, but will now be held virtually or be postponed, according to the sources, who have spoken on condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to speak publicly.

The conference, set for its 10th edition, has become a must-attend event for some of the world’s top financiers.

Dubbed “Davos in the desert,” in a nod to the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland, the event has showcased the kingdom’s ambitious investment plans in a bid to attract billions of dollars needed to fund its economic transformation plan away from hydrocarbons in a pivot to tourism, sports and technology.

Saudi Arabia’s government media office has not immediately replied to a request for comment.

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