An investment that reflects a long-term relationship and continuous interest by economic entities resident in an economy other than the Saudi economy. This means that the foreign investor, individually or as part of a group of foreign investors, owns 10% or more of the voting power of the shareholders’ rights, entitling the investor to exercise some form of control or influence over the decision-making process in a way that serves the investor’s interests. This process is thus described as foreign direct investment.

FDI inflows are financial transactions between FDI institutions, direct investors and related companies outside the Saudi economy that reflect a positive impact in excess of equity and/or debt instruments. FDI outflows are transactions where the impact appears as a decrease in obligations (paid dividends, repayment of loans/credit receivables) or when a foreign shareholder exits.