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WTD 2023 Concludes in Riyadh with Participation of More Than 500 Experts from 120 Countries

More than 50 tourism ministers, 120 officials, and over 500 experts and leaders in the sector and in this year’s celebration of the WTD. SPA
More than 50 tourism ministers, 120 officials, and over 500 experts and leaders in the sector and in this year’s celebration of the WTD. SPA
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WTD 2023 Concludes in Riyadh with Participation of More Than 500 Experts from 120 Countries

More than 50 tourism ministers, 120 officials, and over 500 experts and leaders in the sector and in this year’s celebration of the WTD. SPA
More than 50 tourism ministers, 120 officials, and over 500 experts and leaders in the sector and in this year’s celebration of the WTD. SPA

A series of events organized in Riyadh on the occasion of the 2023 World Tourism Day (WTD) concluded with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) hailing this year’s celebration as the largest and most influential ever in its 43-year history.

More than 50 tourism ministers, 120 officials, and over 500 experts and leaders in the sector and UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili participated in this year’s celebration of the WTD which was held under the theme, “Tourism & Green Investments.”

Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb extended his thanks and gratitude to the Kingdom’s leadership for their constant and endless support to the tourism sector, attributing the historic leaps the sector has achieved in terms of creating jobs and investments to the special attention and tremendous support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Al-Khateeb has also highlighted the successes the Kingdom has achieved and its contributions to the global tourism landscape through organizing and hosting several international events that had their impact on bringing the global tourism sector to pre-pandemic levels.

The activities and sessions of the WTD in Riyadh focused on enhancing international cooperation and sustainable development in the global tourism sector. The WTD also witnessed the Kingdom’s announcement of new details about the International Tourism Academy, Riyadh’s gift to the world. The academy provides international educational and vocational programs in tourism and hospitality fields.

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Saudi Arabia to Host Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia to Host Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), will host the Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum (MIPF) in October, underscoring the Kingdom's significant industrial transformation, in line with Vision 2030, and aiming to expand the Saudi industrial base and solidify its position as a leading global industrial center.
Organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in Riyadh, the forum is yet another substantial industrial development initiative the Kingdom relentlessly takes.
By carrying out programs focused on innovation, diversification, and boosting of the industrial sectors, including 12 strategic sectors identified in the National Industrial Strategy, Saudi Arabia seeks to raise competitiveness and support its national economy.
Beyond the National Industrial Strategy, the Kingdom has invested in developing industrial infrastructure, such as industrial cities and special economic zones, and fostered international cooperation to facilitate transfer of knowledge and technology. The forum, in which global experts and decision makers participate, is an ideal platform to exchange expertise and set best practices in industrial policies.
Saudi Arabia aims to develop policies that are in line with international standards, thus increasing the global competitiveness of its industrial sector. By leading initiatives for sustainable industrial practices, promoting international cooperation, exchanging expertise, and adopting environmentally friendly technologies, the Kingdom seeks to enhance the flexibility of its supply chains, in line with the Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative.
The industrial sector in Saudi Arabia witnessed significant developments in 2023, including announcing major investment opportunities in targeted sectors, issuing a license for the first Saudi-made electric car brand "Ceer", and opening the first electric vehicle manufacturing factory "Lucid". The Kingdom aims to produce over 300,000 cars annually by 2030.
Attracting private sector investments is crucial to achieving the goals of the National Industrial Strategy. The industrial sector focuses on enhancing integration among various sectors and their supply chains, developing infrastructure, encouraging joint investments, promoting local content, and empowering national companies through policies, financing, and training.
In July 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources launched the Future Factories Program, which aims to transform 4,000 factories from labor-intensive models to efficient, automated operations utilizing advanced industrial solutions. This initiative seeks to enhance competitiveness, improve product quality, and increase exports of Saudi non-oil products.
The ministry has also made strides in improving the regulatory and legislative environment for the industrial sector, creating an environment conducive to investments and fair competition.
The ministry's goals for 2024 and 2025 include attracting investments in targeted industrial sectors, reaching a total investment volume of SAR451 billion, adding 1,500 products to the mandatory local content list, increasing the industrial sector's contribution to non-oil GDP to SAR412 billion, and boosting non-oil exports to over SAR300 billion. Moreover, the ministry aims to launch the industrial sector governance initiative to stimulate integration and concerted efforts among relevant stakeholders.
The second edition of the Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum, hosted by Riyadh under the theme "Transforming Challenges into Sustainable Solutions through Industrial Policies", will bring together some 3,000 industry leaders from around the world, including decision makers, CEOs, industry specialists, and people interested in developing industrial policies.