The pace of development throughout modern history has accelerated through four industrial revolutions since the mid-18th century, during which global economies have witnessed tremendous economic and social transformation.

There is no doubt that the fifth industrial revolution, or Industry 5.0, is expected to transform how humans and machines collaborate in shared ecosystems, as AI, quantum computing, bioengineering, robotics, and next-generation energy converge to deliver greater sustainability and efficiency.

Many global platforms discuss what the next big thing will be. Nevertheless, the Future Investment Initiative (FII) has worked since its inception to close the gap between vision and execution.

FII is marking its 10th edition from October 26–29 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Under its new theme, “The Power of Legacy,” it brings together heads of state, global business leaders, innovators, and representatives from scientific and nonprofit communities to lead discussions on the most pressing issues of our time and propose solutions that address how policies and technologies can positively impact economies and societies.

In its early editions, FII primarily focused on attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and transforming the Saudi economy. It has since expanded its focus to broader areas with regional impact, such as sustainability, green energy, AI and robotics, education, and healthcare, to accelerate change in the trajectory of modern economies.

The ninth edition of FII witnessed record dealmaking and partnerships, with more than $50 billion in strategic agreements and investment pledges signed across AI, advanced technology, renewable energy, and infrastructure. This brought the cumulative value of deals facilitated by the platform to more than $250 billion. In addition, major AI partnerships were established with global technology and investment firms such as Qualcomm, Blackstone, and Humain, alongside other technology leaders.

Capital invested in Saudi Arabia can have a regional spillover effect. Whether through economic performance, capital inflows, or infrastructure development, these investments can benefit neighboring countries through shared trade, technology transfer, and regional supply chains.

Given the interconnectedness of GCC economies, an initial injection of investment can spark a chain reaction across sectors and borders. Demand for raw materials, transportation, and services from neighboring countries stimulates economic activity beyond what the host country alone can generate, boosting trade, expanding exports, upgrading human capital, and increasing productivity across the region.

Saudi Arabia is considered the second-largest trading partner of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and this regional spillover is where FII matters most. Bahrain is closely tied to the Saudi economy through trade, financial flows, and the King Fahd Causeway, making it well-positioned to provide the services, logistics, and financial intermediation required by major investments in the region. FII gives Bahraini companies a direct channel to build partnerships with Saudi and international investors and expand into regional markets. It also allows Bahrain to showcase itself as a diversified economy with established strengths in financial services, ICT, manufacturing, logistics, and tourism, supported by a business-friendly regulatory environment and a pro-innovation ecosystem that enables businesses of all sizes to thrive.

Bahraini institutions are already acting on this opportunity. GFH Financial Group extended its strategic partnership with FII for three years. The partnership focuses on cross-border innovation, corporate sustainability, and investment infrastructure across the GCC and international markets, positioning a Bahraini firm within the deal flow generated by the platform.

Capital also moves in the other direction. In 2022, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) used FII to announce a dedicated investment company for Bahrain, one of several regional firms with a combined investment target of $24 billion across Arab markets. Together, these examples demonstrate how FII serves as a two-way channel: Bahraini companies use it to access regional opportunities, while Saudi capital uses it to find a productive bridge into Bahrain.

What matters is whether these investments endure, generate partnerships that continue beyond each edition, and spread their benefits across the economies connected to the host country. The opportunity for all is to take an active part in the region’s investment momentum and turn partnerships forged in Riyadh into growth at home as Industry 5.0 takes shape.

Ali Faqeeh, Senior Analyst Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat)