Investment conference: Saudi Arabia offers alternative travel routes

According to Business Recorder, Saudi Arabia intends to proceed with its Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh despite the Houthi campaign against the kingdom. Citing diplomatic sources who spoke to AFP, the report says organisers are offering both in-person and remote attendance, plus alternative air and road routes. The forum is due to take place from October 26 to 29.

Riyadh's international airport, a prime Houthi target, halted flights last week after a strike there killed 13 people, with no date set for reopening. Organisers have reportedly explored flying guests into Dhahran by private jet, or into Manama or Doha, before continuing by road. The aim is to avoid cancellation of the event, which usually attracts overseas leaders and corporate chiefs.

Attacks since October 7 have reportedly killed 18 people at the airport, and Abha International Airport was hit by a strike that killed two more. A western diplomat said an executive from their country, who had been expected at the forum, has also cancelled because of the security situation. The kingdom has also called off recent events, among them the Soundstorm music festival and a Red Sea film festival, while the FII initiative, begun in 2017, is designed to present Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 plan for economic diversification.