As the world reshapes its investment map, Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global, confirms that Saudi Arabia has now become one of the most attractive markets globally, ranking among the largest markets in the G20, with an annual trading volume of nearly $100 billion. El Chaar believes that ignoring the Saudi market over the next decade would amount to a guaranteed loss, given the massive annual investment inflows reaching up to $100 billion.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, El Chaar stressed that the qualitative leap achieved by the Kingdom goes beyond mere numbers. He pointed to its remarkable forward-looking vision, which has enabled it to achieve successes that even major Western capitals have not reached, through the development of an innovative legislative framework that clearly separates local and foreign ownership rights. This provides protection for citizens while encouraging global capital to invest.
This notable legislative development has prompted Dar Global to strengthen its investments in the Saudi market to reach SAR 38 billion (equivalent to $10 billion), through a portfolio of distinguished projects with a global character.
El Chaar explained that the real estate sector in Saudi Arabia is one of the largest sectors in the G20, with an annual value of around $100 billion. This growth is mainly reflected in massive infrastructure investments, the hosting of major global events, and significant developments in the aviation and tourism sectors, along with policies aimed at attracting foreign investment, making the Saudi market one of the most attractive to investors worldwide.
He noted that the Kingdom has excelled with its innovative vision in managing and regulating the real estate sector by setting clear boundaries between areas of local and foreign ownership and defining a minimum threshold for foreign investments. These measures ensure the stability of the domestic market and protect local demand—steps he described as placing Saudi Arabia ahead of many Western countries.
He also emphasized the pivotal role played by the General Real Estate Authority in regulating the sector and safeguarding investors’ interests, explaining that current regulations, despite their strictness toward developers, contribute to creating a fair and stable investment environment that serves all parties.
Major Projects
El Chaar spoke about the major development projects launched by the company in cooperation with the Trump Organization in Saudi Arabia, with a value of approximately SAR 38 billion ($10 billion), making it the largest non-government real estate developer in the Kingdom. He expressed the group’s confidence in the local market and its ability to attract foreign investment.
He mentioned that Dar Global is currently working on two projects in Riyadh and a new project in Jeddah, noting that this expansion aligns with a vision that considers the failure of foreign real estate developers to invest in Saudi Arabia over the next decade to be a loss, in light of the major economic transformations taking place in the Kingdom.
