Dispute Settlement for Foreign Direct Investment in Saudi Arabia: Does the current legal framework provide sufficient investor protection?

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has launched Vision 2030 to attract more foreign investment. Before investing in a State, foreign investors look to the legal system to assess what extent it protects them in case of conflict. This paper analyses the legal framework of the Saudi Foreign Investment Act, the guarantees provided by the Saudi regulator for Foreign Investors, the challenges facing the foreign investor and, finally, provides as analysis of reforms in the new arbitration system and the role of sharia in resolving these disputes.