DUBAI - Direct foreign investment into Saudi Arabia rose by about 13% in the first quarter of this year, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih said in an interview with Al Arabiya.

Attracting foreign investment is a core element of Saudi reforms aimed at diversifying the economy away from oil.

(Reporting by Davide Barbuscia Editing by David Goodman ) ((Davide.Barbuscia@thomsonreuters.com; +971522604297; Reuters Messaging: davide.barbuscia.reuters.com@reuters.net))