Norway Remains World’s Largest Sovereign Wealth Fund With Four GCC Countries in the Top Eight

Norway Remains World’s Largest Sovereign Wealth Fund With Four GCC Countries in the Top Eight

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has made a lot of headlines recently due to its significant investments in golf and football, released its 2022 annual report on Sunday, providing the public with a glimpse into the operations of one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. At the end of 2022, the PIF’s assets under management amounted to roughly $600 billion – a figure that has since grown to $700 billion according to Global SWF, a company tracking sovereign wealth funds.

While gaining more international attention due to its investments in sports, the PIF actually reduced its international strategic investments last year, with their share of total assets under management dropping from 20 to 10 per cent, while domestic investments accounted for 77 per cent of AuM at the end of the year.

Often accused of “sportswashing”, the PIF is very clear about the purpose of its international investments in its annual report. Among other things, the fund’s strategic international investments are meant to “establish strategic relationships and partnerships with innovative companies, investment managers, and influential investors to allow Saudi Arabia to extend its global reach and influence”, to “bolster Saudi Arabia’s position on the world stage as a leader