FII PRIORITY Europe Opens in Rome With Focus on Investment, Technology and Economic Growth
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
RIYADH, June 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - The first day of FII PRIORITY Europe 2026 concluded at the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, bringing together heads of state, sovereign wealth funds, global banking executives and industry leaders to discuss the future of economic growth in Europe, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The summit is hosted by the FII Institute under the chairmanship of Public Investment Fund Governor, FII Institute Chairman and Saudi Aramco Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
Participants from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas discussed economic, technological and geopolitical challenges facing Europe, including investment, strategic autonomy, industrial capacity, technology, energy and defence.
Richard Attias, Chairman of the Executive Committee of FII Institute and Founder and Chairman of Richard Attias and Associates, opened the conference by addressing the economic headwinds facing Europe and said decline was not inevitable.
Attias also welcomed Princess Dr. Maha bint Mishari bin Abdulaziz as the new Chief Executive Officer of FII Institute, describing her appointment as the beginning of a new chapter for the institute.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Europe must move beyond its role as a commercial and regulatory platform and strengthen strategic autonomy, industrial capacity, technological sovereignty and financial power.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri highlighted the city’s transformation through programs in urban regeneration, quantum computing and artificial intelligence, saying Europe has the potential to attract public and private investment in infrastructure, sustainability and innovation.
Al-Rumayyan said Saudi Arabia has deployed about €98 billion across Europe and the United Kingdom since 2017, generating around €70 billion in GDP contribution and about 160,000 jobs.
He said PIF will present 140 opportunities that can benefit European partners, with an estimated value of about €10.4 billion through 2030.
The summit’s Board of Changemakers session brought together leaders from global institutions to assess Europe’s economic position and future investment prospects.
Anthony Gutman, Global Co-Head of Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs, said Europe remained on the cusp of an investment supercycle driven by artificial intelligence. Julius Baer Group Chairman Noel Quinn said Europe needed a shift in mindset.
The first day also included signing ceremonies for new partnerships in construction technology, carbon removal and digital infrastructure.
Saudi ConTech and Redcon International signed an agreement to accelerate the use of construction technology. Red Sea Global and Sequest signed an agreement to support the deployment of durable carbon removal technology through access to land for a pilot project.
ACWA Power and Telecom Italia Sparkle also signed an agreement to explore cooperation in energy and data transmission infrastructure.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
