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Indian Minister of Tourism Says Cooperation Is Part of Strategic Relationship with Saudi Arabia

Indian Minister of Tourism Shripad Naik. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Indian Minister of Tourism Shripad Naik. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Indian Minister of Tourism Says Cooperation Is Part of Strategic Relationship with Saudi Arabia

Indian Minister of Tourism Shripad Naik. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Indian Minister of Tourism Shripad Naik. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Indian Minister of Tourism Shripad Naik said the development of sustainable tourism infrastructure, through the exchange of technology and best practices, was an essential part of the partnership strategy between India and Saudi Arabia.

He also noted that his country has resumed the issuing of electronic visa for Saudis.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Naik affirmed India’s aspiration to work with the Kingdom to enhance regional cooperation in the tourism sector, stressing the vital dimension of Saudi Arabia hosting the first regional headquarters of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (WTO).

The minister said that a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the tourism sector was signed between the two countries in 2019, on the sidelines of the state visit conducted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India, with the aim of ensuring the development of sustainable tourism infrastructure.

According to Naik, the bilateral agreements are an indication of the enormous potential in infrastructure and tourism investments, explaining that the new projects in Saudi Arabia, along with efforts to expand tourism infrastructure in India, provide opportunities for companies from both sides.

The Indian minister went on to say that Saudi Arabia was working to revitalize the tourism sector, which is one of the main pillars of economic diversification, within the framework of Vision 2030.

He highlighted the Kingdom’s modern and smart tourist destinations, such as NEOM and the Red Sea Project, which he said were “worthy of praise.”

Naik added that cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the tourism and hospitality sector was part of the deep strategic relations between the two countries.

He cited a wide range of tourism opportunities in India for travel enthusiasts, such as eco-tourism, rural and adventure holidays, medical tourism, spiritual pilgrimage, in addition to culture, heritage and history.

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Saudi Arabia Makes History with Adoption of Riyadh Treaty on Design Law

Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Makes History with Adoption of Riyadh Treaty on Design Law

Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has made history by uniting the 193 member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to adopt the Riyadh Treaty on Design Law. This landmark achievement, realized after two decades of deliberation, underscores the Kingdom’s leadership in enhancing the global intellectual property system.

The announcement came at the conclusion of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty, a rare event for WIPO, which has not held a diplomatic conference outside Geneva for more than a decade. It was also the first such event hosted in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, representing the final stage of negotiations to establish an agreement aimed at simplifying and standardizing design protection procedures across member states.

Over the past two weeks, intensive discussions and negotiations among member states culminated in the adoption of the Riyadh Treaty, which commits signatory nations to a unified set of requirements for registering designs, ensuring consistent and streamlined procedures worldwide. The agreement is expected to have a significant positive impact on designers, enabling them to protect their creations more effectively and uniformly across international markets.

At a press conference held on Friday to mark the event’s conclusion, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem highlighted the economic potential of the new protocol.

Responding to a question from Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Suwailem noted the substantial contributions of young Saudi men and women in creative design. He explained that the agreement will enable their designs to be formally protected, allowing them to enter markets as valuable, tradable assets.

He also emphasized the symbolic importance of naming the convention the Riyadh Treaty, stating that it reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing influence as a bridge between cultures and a global center for innovative initiatives.

The treaty lays critical legal foundations to support designers and drive innovation worldwide, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision of promoting international collaboration in the creative industries and underscoring its leadership in building a sustainable future for innovators.

The agreement also advances global efforts to enhance creativity, protect intellectual property, and stimulate innovation on a broader scale.

This achievement further strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for groundbreaking initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to nurturing creativity, safeguarding designers’ rights, and driving the development of creative industries on an international scale.

The Riyadh Diplomatic Conference, held from November 11 to 22, was hosted by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property and attracted high-ranking officials and decision-makers from WIPO member states.