It's FII week in Riyadh! 📈 That means the who's who of the finance, investment, and business world are descending upon the Saudi capital for Saudi Arabia's largest annual event - the 8th Future Investment Initiative held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center (KAICC).

Co-hosts Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed and Lucien Zeigler talk about the event and discuss some elements of the program and speakers, as well as the surrounding events and vibe of the city as it hosts visitors from around the world.

Before the DEEPDIVE on FII, the hosts discuss a new NEWS format for The TWENTY30, which allows the hosts more space to discuss and engage on the topics that matter for Saudi Arabia. User and data feedback and input from 33 Episodes prompted the slight modification to the segment, which the hosts note is already significantly more enjoyable for hosts and listeners alike. The TWENTY30 team hopes you agree!

After discussing FII, in the new format for the NEWS segment, the hosts cover a range of interesting developments in Saudi Arabia, including:

•Sindalah Island is the first Neom project to open doors, and a handpicked selection of guests are getting the first glimpse of the place ahead of FII, according to Bloomberg.

•Saudi Arabia is setting its sights on the Chinese outbound tourism market as part of its strategy to transform the kingdom into a global tourism hub, according to SKIFT.

•Roberto Mancini walks away from Saudi Arabia as head coach of the national team after 14 pretty unsuccessful months as coach...

•Ground has officially been broken in Saudi Arabia for what is expected to be the “world’s largest building" - The New Mukaab, part of the new murraba project.

Lama Khaiyat, CEO of Awtada, a boutique Saudi consultancy and public policy advisory firm, joins hosts Hanaa and Lucien to discuss the world of consulting in Saudi Arabia and the rapid growth of her firm.

The consultancy market in Saudi Arabia reached $3.2 billion in 2023. The market grew by 17.5% in 2022, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5% through 2029. But recently, multiple outlets have reported of a "recalibration" of Vision 2030 projects that involves a reprioritization of spending, putting a pinch on some of the larger consultancies operating in the Kingdom. But the recalibration is an opportunity for boutique consultancies to step up, Khaiyat tells the TWENTY30.

Lama shares her journey from Oxford to the Big 4 and how she felt that her best path toward growth and success was through founding her own firm and providing a Saudi-first lens for clients.

After the conversation with Lama, the hosts get to some of the latest news on Saudi Arabia, and conclude with SHOUTOUTS to the exceptional people driving the Kingdom's transformation.

In Episode 32, co-hosts Hanaa Almoaibed and Lucien Zeigler share thoughtful feedback from Episode 31 and the TWENTY30's exclusive conversation with entrepreneur Iyad Aldalooj, which elicited tons of comments and excitement from many in and outside of Saudi Arabia. Then the hosts get to a DEEPDIVE on Saudi women in the workforce, and how the labor market transformation in Saudi Arabia has significantly advanced opportunities for women to work and pursue careers in various fields and sectors throughout the Kingdom.

The hosts conclude with the latest news on Saudi Arabia, including:

•The Saudi stock market is struggling after a summer rally, with the Riyadh bourse enduring its worst fourth-quarter start in years as regional tensions soar.

•Will Smith is set to give a talk on the opening day of the sophomore edition of the Saudi Film Confex, taking place in Saudi Arabia’s capital of Riyadh between Oct. 9-12.

•Saudi Arabia is preparing to make a multibillion-dollar bet on hydrogen and will launch a new company to produce the much hyped low-carbon fuel

•Saudi Arabia has consolidated its branding push with Atlético Madrid by paying for naming rights to the Spanish club’s stadium for the next nine years. Atlético, which has been sponsored by Saudi state-owned Riyadh Air since last season, said Wednesday that its Metropolitano stadium will be known as the Riyadh Air Metropolitano henceforth until 2033.

The hosts conclude as always with the SHOUTOUTS segment, and in this episode, combine their shoutout together to wish a very important person in Saudi Arabia well after surgery.