The now annual Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference started on Tuesday, with hundreds of guest speakers from the region and around the world.

Local businesswoman Lubna Olayan kicked off the investment forum with a mini-tribute to the late journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In her tribute, she called his death a “terrible act alien to the Saudi culture and DNA,” adding that Saudi Arabia will emerge from this crisis even stronger.

In her opening remarks, Lubna Olayan said that it’s “natural to think about recent developments involving Khashoggi.”

“I’m confident that the support of the government, concerned authorities and leadership- the truth will emerge,” she added.

As we gather here in Riyadh this morning, it is natural that our thoughts tend to focus on recent events surrounding the death of Jamal Khashoggi– a writer, a journalist and a Saudi citizen known to many of us. May he rest in peace.

As a proud citizen, and the Saudi member of this forum’s advisory board, I want to tell all our foreign guests for whose presence with us this morning, we are very grateful that the terrible acts reported in recent weeks are alien to our culture and our DNA.

And I’m confident that the support of the government, concerned authorities and leadership- the truth will emerge. I am sure that we will grow and emerge stronger as a result of dealing with the crisis in the last few weeks. Better able to work towards a brighter future for all.

Details about the Future Investment Initiative conference

The Future Investment (FII) Initiative allows residents and visitors to network with the global investment community and helps with discussions on various opportunities within Saudi Arabia.

The FII three-day conference will take place from the October 23rd to 25th between Riyadh’s King Abdullah International Conference Center (KAICC) and the Ritz Carlton Riyadh.

FII’s full program schedule is also available on their website.