Iran Aims to Boost Economic Ties with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Ambassador to the Kingdom Alireza Enayati and President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Huwaizi meet on Tuesday. (SPA)
Iranian Ambassador to the Kingdom Alireza Enayati and President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Huwaizi meet on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Iran Aims to Boost Economic Ties with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Ambassador to the Kingdom Alireza Enayati and President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Huwaizi meet on Tuesday. (SPA)
Iranian Ambassador to the Kingdom Alireza Enayati and President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Huwaizi meet on Tuesday. (SPA)

Iranian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati emphasized his country’s commitment to bolstering economic relations with the Kingdom, to revitalize trade and investment relations.

He made the remarks during a meeting with President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Al-Huwaizi.

The Saudi Press Agency noted “the absence of trade exchanges between the two countries, despite the significant scale of their foreign trade.”

Saudi Arabia achieved foreign trade exceeding $601 billion in 2022, while Iran’s volume reached nearly $133 billion.

The officials placed considerable importance on seizing the current positive momentum and expeditiously implementing signed agreements, paving the way for a new phase in economic cooperation and to elevate the level of trade exchange given the existing opportunities.

The meeting resulted in a joint understanding to facilitate the re-exchange of trade delegations, promote trade exchanges, and elevate integration in targeted sectors. Additionally, it focused on capitalizing on substantial consumer markets and actively encouraging successful partnerships between business sectors.

The officials encouraged investors in their countries to capitalize on the opportunities and advantages of foreign investment.



Three Saudi-Yemeni Companies Established in Energy, Telecom to Support Yemen's Reconstruction

The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council holds meeting in Makkah, announces strategic initiatives (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council holds meeting in Makkah, announces strategic initiatives (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Three Saudi-Yemeni Companies Established in Energy, Telecom to Support Yemen's Reconstruction

The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council holds meeting in Makkah, announces strategic initiatives (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council holds meeting in Makkah, announces strategic initiatives (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council, part of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, announced six initiatives to boost trade and support Yemen’s economic development at a meeting in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Over 300 Saudi and Yemeni investors attended, agreeing to establish three companies to help rebuild Yemen and improve its infrastructure.
The initiatives include upgrading border crossings to improve logistics and increase trade, currently valued at 6.3 billion riyals ($1.6 billion). Yemen’s exports to Saudi Arabia, worth only 655 million riyals ($174.6 million), highlight untapped potential in mining, agriculture, livestock, and fisheries.
Key recommendations to enhance trade and support Yemen’s economic recovery include setting up quarantine facilities for Yemeni livestock and agricultural products to increase exports, as well as building smart food cities near border areas to improve food security and sustainable cooperation.
The Council urged action to address banking challenges faced by traders, suggesting reforms in Yemen’s financial sector and stronger ties with Saudi banks. It also proposed creating a club for Yemeni investors in Saudi Arabia to encourage joint projects and partnerships.
Three new Saudi-Yemeni companies will be established. One will invest $100 million in solar energy to provide sustainable electricity in Yemen. Another will focus on boosting telecommunications via Starlink satellite services. The third will organize events to promote Saudi products and support Yemen’s reconstruction.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Council President Dr. Abdullah bin Mahfouz emphasized the private sector’s critical role in stabilizing Yemen’s economy and society through investments that support development, create jobs, improve infrastructure, and promote small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
He stressed the importance of empowering Yemeni entrepreneurs and securing funding for reconstruction projects, encouraging public-private partnerships to execute large-scale initiatives under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.
The Makkah meeting ended with agreements between Saudi and Yemeni companies to develop key sectors such as energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Streamlined customs, improved logistics, and upgraded Yemeni ports and airports were also highlighted as priorities to facilitate trade.
Yemeni delegation leader Abdulmajid al-Saadi, praised Saudi Arabia’s new investment law, noting Yemeni investments in the Kingdom have reached 18 billion riyals ($4.8 billion), ranking third among foreign investors.