1. Given that the country is actively seeking foreign investors and appears to be creating a
pro-business atmosphere, what non-oil businesses do you think would be best suited for
expanding into Saudi Arabia?
The non-oil businesses I would think can be best suited for expanding into Saudi Arabia would be
those that do not have any affiliation with religious or political agents. Those are two hot button
topics in the country and I would think that IT services, housing businesses, medical/healthcare
companies, or possibly even fast food restaurants (once halal) would do well within the country.
2. If you were a foreign investor, what concerns would you have about the country? Would
you make an investment in the country?
As a foreign investor the concerns I would have about the country are firstly its views on women.
I would not want to support any suppression of women’s rights and their ability to simply walk
outside in the open with their head not covered and not having to be in the presence of a male
family member escort. Ethically I would be very opposed with any business dealings with the
country.
Another reason I would be concerned with investing in the country is the fact that it is known for
bribes being well in operation. In order to get certain things accomplished one would have to pay
a bribe to the right official or individual, and again ethically I can not do those things.
From strictly a business decision standpoint investing in Saudi Arabia would be a good idea, but
my personal ethics and I could not in good conscience put my hard earned money into a country
which does not give equal rights to women and one which expects bribes to be paid in order to
get anything completed.
Hi Nicole,
Thank you for your post I to did my own post on these same questions and we both had very