Egyptian Minister of Cooperation: Govt Proposals are Open to All, Including China

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat speaks at a panel discussion at the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat speaks at a panel discussion at the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egyptian Minister of Cooperation: Govt Proposals are Open to All, Including China

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat speaks at a panel discussion at the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat speaks at a panel discussion at the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat said on Sunday government proposals are open to all countries, including China.  

Speaking at the “Investment and Financing Along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)” panel discussion at the two-day 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Mashat lauded the strong ties between Egypt and China, noting that the Suez Canal Corridor attracts Chinese companies in various fields.  

The Minister stressed that green transformation is one of the essential sectors, saying that it provides opportunities for cooperation between companies in the Arab world and international companies.  

Participants discussed the role of the Belt and Road initiative in promoting economic growth and development in China and the Arab countries and reviewed successful examples of existing partnerships.  

She explained that the Belt and Road Initiative began in 2013 and is a long-term strategy to enhance cooperation and integration between Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.  

According to the Minister, every country has a strategic vision and seeks to achieve sustainable development goals.  

She explained that the Suez Canal attracted Chinese companies, including TEDA, an industrial developer in the economic zone of Ain Sokhna.  

The Minister pointed out that China was keen to provide funds to the countries of the Belt and Road Initiative to establish development infrastructure projects, stressing the importance of the role of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in increasing Chinese investments in Egypt.  

She explained that development funds are long-term that serve development in general, whether roads, ports, or railways, citing the role of Arab funds in financing the electrical interconnection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.  

The 10th Arab-China Business Conference, the largest ever cooperation between the two parties, aims to explore inter-investment opportunities in various sectors. 



Riyadh Air Orders 60 Airbus A321neo Planes

Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
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Riyadh Air Orders 60 Airbus A321neo Planes

Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website

Saudi Arabia's newest airline Riyadh Air said on Wednesday it had placed an order for 60 Airbus narrowbody A321-family jets as it prepares to start operations in 2025.

The deal, signed at the Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, brings to 132 the total number of jets ordered by the Saudi startup, which last year ordered 39 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with options for 33 more.

The creation of Riyadh Air by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund is part of a broader Saudi strategy to diversify its economy and boost tourism.

“This deal underlines the airline’s ambitious intentions in advance of next year’s launch, as it builds a comprehensive international network and establishes Riyadh as a major strategic global aviation hub,” Yasir Al Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and chairman of Riyadh Air, said.

CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus Christian Scherer said: “The latest generation A321neo aircraft will bring exceptional efficiency to the airline's operations, concrete contributions to its decarbonization goals and comfort to its passengers. We look forward to working together to support the strong ambitions of Saudi aviation."