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Sunday, September 8, 2024 2:32 GMT
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has climbed to fifth in a ranking of state-owned investment organizations, with its net assets reaching US$861 billion, according to a new report. The US-based Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute stated that the Public Investment Fund is marching toward its end-2025 target of US$1 trillion in assets, which is intended to enhance the Kingdom’s diversification efforts. The significant rise in the PIF’s ranking follows its acquisition of an additional 8% stake in Aramco, boosting its shareholding’s estimated value to US$328 billion. This strategic acquisition has notably influenced PIF’s total assets under management, which now surpass US$860 billion, up from US$700 billion at the end of 2022. Consequently, the Aramco stake currently constitutes approximately 37% of PIF’s portfolio value, marking a significant milestone in the fund’s growth trajectory and its central role in the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification strategy. The SWF Institute reported that the substantial stake in Aramco is expected to generate billions in annual dividends for PIF, reinforcing its investment capacity. Moreover, PIF’s involvement in various giga-projects and subsidiaries aims to catalyze Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions. Notable initiatives include the establishment of Alat, a US$100 billion industrial electronics firm poised to enhance the global semiconductor supply and contribute US$9.3 billion to the national gross domestic product by 2030. Moreover, PIF’s ventures into the automotive sector, such as partnerships with Hyundai and investments in Lucid and Ceer Motors, align with its objective to position Saudi Arabia as a key player in global automotive production.