A series of attacks by Houthi rebels has cast a shadow over Saudi Arabia's key event, the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference, often referred to as the "Davos of the Desert," with six people killed in attacks on the country's airports this week. Business executives are scrambling to assess whether they can still travel to Saudi Arabia for the event. These attacks come just days before the World Petroleum Council's Energy Conference (WPC) and only two weeks before the FII. "We have absolutely no idea what's going to happen," said an executive from a company planning to attend FII. "They want to keep the event going. But it depends on how things develop. The situation is very uncertain." Britain advised its citizens on Thursday to avoid "non-essential travel" to parts of Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, which could make it difficult for some banks to purchase insurance for their employees attending the conference. However, several foreign energy executives said they still plan to attend next week's WPC, noting that they know "the Saudis will remember who stood by them in times of trouble." Some Middle Eastern bankers said they still intend to attend FII, but will not bring their usual large entourages. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the FII organizers and Saudi authorities will view next week's WPC as a "bellwether" for whether to continue hosting the FII. The source stated that security is "clearly a top priority."
