Saudi Economy Minister: Riyadh WEF Special Meeting is a ‘Unique Opportunity’ to Reshape Development

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim and WEF President Borge Brende. SPA
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim and WEF President Borge Brende. SPA
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Saudi Economy Minister: Riyadh WEF Special Meeting is a ‘Unique Opportunity’ to Reshape Development

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim and WEF President Borge Brende. SPA
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim and WEF President Borge Brende. SPA

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim has said the World Economic Forum's (WEF) special meeting in Riyadh presents a vital chance to reshape development strategies globally.

This opportunity allows for a new approach to international cooperation, prioritizing overcoming differences and fostering mutual prosperity.

Alibrahim made this statement during the meeting's initial press conference, joined by WEF President Borge Brende. The conference took place at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, leading up to the special meeting on April 28-29.

This year's theme is "Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development.”

Heads of state and government representatives from 92 nations will gather to discuss the challenges of worldwide economic instability, climate change, and technological disruption. Their objective is to discover fresh avenues for sustainable development while fostering greater collaboration among nations.

The meeting will serve as an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to present Vision 2030 as a strategic plan for fostering innovation-led development and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Alibrahim stated that Saudi Arabia is ready to spearhead a progressive growth model centered on transformation, innovation, and sustainability. “Our vision is to cultivate a flourishing economy driven by knowledge and innovation, fully harnessing the immense potential of our people.”

The primary focus will be on crafting forward-thinking strategies to tackle climate change, economic volatility, and natural disasters.

The WEF's upcoming special meeting is expected to generate new recommendations and guide nations towards increased collaboration in addressing global challenges. Its objective is to forge a more sustainable and prosperous future for all stakeholders involved.



NEOM, Samsung C&T Commit to World's Largest Deployment of Rebar Construction Automation Technology

The agreement will accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge construction automation technology in Saudi Arabia. SPA
The agreement will accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge construction automation technology in Saudi Arabia. SPA
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NEOM, Samsung C&T Commit to World's Largest Deployment of Rebar Construction Automation Technology

The agreement will accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge construction automation technology in Saudi Arabia. SPA
The agreement will accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge construction automation technology in Saudi Arabia. SPA

NEOM, the sustainable development taking shape in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, has signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with Samsung C&T Corporation to unlock an initial investment of more than SAR1.3 billion in construction robotics.
According to a statement from NEOM, the agreement will accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge construction automation technology in Saudi Arabia.
The JV aims to automate rebar cage assembly through advanced robotic welding and tying techniques, enabling the assembly of large, pre-manufactured reinforcement cages, said the statement.

Through automation, the adoption of rebar assembly technology can reduce manual workforce hours by up to 80%, based on global average installation metrics for traditional construction methods, improving safety and quality, reducing material waste, and reducing cage assembly costs by up to 40%.
"Sustainability at NEOM is a core principle that drives not only what we build, but how we build it. By automating labor-intensive processes through robotics, we are pushing the boundaries of construction innovation,” CEO of NEOM Investment Fund Majid Mufti said.
The agreement will establish rebar cage assembly factories in NEOM, creating more than 2,000 highly skilled job opportunities locally while meeting the extensive requirements for the construction of THE LINE and other key developments in the region.