Saudi Arabia: BlackRock Saudi Arabia and the Public Investment Fund signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday which entitles the former to establish a Riyadh-based multi-asset investment platform.

It will be anchored by an initial investment mandate of up to $5 billion from PIF, subject to the achievement of agreed milestones between the parties, said a media statement.

Both parties have expressed the intention to establish BlackRock Riyadh Investment Management, which will encompass investment strategies across a range of asset classes. It is expected to be managed by a Riyadh-based portfolio management team and supported by BlackRock’s global asset management platform.

Larry Fink, BlackRock’s CEO, said: “We are excited to build on the deep partnership we have developed with PIF over many years to launch this first-of-its-kind international investment management platform in Saudi Arabia.

“The continued growth of the Kingdom’s capital markets, and diversification of its financial sector, will contribute to future prosperity for its citizens, the competitiveness of its companies and the resilience of its economy.”

Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly attractive destination for international investment as Vision 2030 comes to life, according to Fink.

He added: “We are pleased to offer investors from around the world the opportunity to take part in this exciting, long-term opportunity.”

Yazeed Al-Humied, PIF’s deputy governor and head of MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Investments, said: “PIF’s relationship with BlackRock is well established and growing. This new landmark agreement represents a step forward in PIF’s work in making the Saudi investment and asset management market more internationally diverse and more dynamic.”

As Saudi Arabia continues to transform its economy, BRIM will seek to support foreign institutional investment into the Kingdom and further enhance the Saudi asset management industry, broadening local capital markets while driving investor diversification across asset classes, facilitating knowledge sharing and the development of Saudi-based asset management talent.

BRIM will be fully integrated with BlackRock’s investment capabilities and operating platform, benefiting from global market expertise.

The non-binding memorandum is subject to satisfying certain necessary conditions, regulatory approvals, and fulfilling specified milestones.