In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been considered by entrepreneurs, bankers and international fund managers as a source of raising "easy money" due to the policy of the Public Wealth Fund, the investment fund of the Saudi government, to invest generously around the world. 

But in recent months, investors are discovering that this era is over and the Saudis have changed their investment priorities.

According to the same sources, the Saudis are now interested in concentrating more on the local market and spreading less cash abroad.

Businessmen who spoke to the Financial Times said that the Saudis are placing more and more conditions on raising funds, including that part of it be invested back into the Saudi market.

As part of the reduction of investments abroad, the value of the fund's shares on the American stock exchange decreased from approximately $35 billion at the end of 2023 to approximately $20 billion at the end of June 2024. 

The total value of the fund's assets is estimated at approximately $925 billion. It is estimated that the Saudi belt tightening is due to the decrease in state revenues and with an emphasis on oil exports.