1st European Chamber of Commerce in GCC to Open in Riyadh

The first European Chamber of Commerce in the GCC region, ECCKSA
The first European Chamber of Commerce in the GCC region, ECCKSA
TT

1st European Chamber of Commerce in GCC to Open in Riyadh

The first European Chamber of Commerce in the GCC region, ECCKSA
The first European Chamber of Commerce in the GCC region, ECCKSA

The first European Chamber of Commerce in the GCC region, ECCKSA, is set to be inaugurated in Saudi Arabia on May 8 to enhance economic and business ties between the Kingdom and the European Union.

The launch event will take place at the Cultural Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh.

ECCKSA’s website says the Chamber is “dedicated to advocating European business interests in Saudi Arabia and vice versa.”

“As a member-driven organization with strong government ties, ECCKSA offers a dynamic business network, opening doors to substantial commercial opportunities.”

“ECCKSA leverages its strong governmental relationships to facilitate market access for member companies, ensuring fair opportunities for both European and Saudi businesses,” it adds.

During the Saudi-EU Investment Forum held in October, Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih said that the Kingdom’s coordination with the EU has a vital role in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing economic transitions.

Al-Falih emphasized the opportunities for investment and trade cooperation between the Kingdom and Europe.

“I am convinced there is still immense potential for expanding our partnership further, especially in terms of scale, diversity, and quality of our outbound and inbound investments,” he said.

He stated that trade between the two countries reached 80 billion euros ($84.8 billion) in 2022, representing a 30 percent increase over the previous year.

The minister added that over 1,300 European companies have invested in Saudi Arabia.

At the same event, European Commission Executive Vice President Maros Sefcovic said that the EU and Saudi Arabia “share an interest in continuing interactions on multilateral trade policy agendas.”

He said he was pleased that there was an agreement to accelerate the creation of ECCKSA.



GASTAT: Saudi Industrial Production Index Increases by 3.4% in November 2024

GASTAT publishes the IPI monthly. SPA
GASTAT publishes the IPI monthly. SPA
TT

GASTAT: Saudi Industrial Production Index Increases by 3.4% in November 2024

GASTAT publishes the IPI monthly. SPA
GASTAT publishes the IPI monthly. SPA

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said Thursday that the Industrial Production Index (IPI) statistics for November 2024 showed a 3.4% increase compared to the same month of the previous year.

This increase is driven by growth in mining and quarrying, manufacturing, water supply, sewerage, and waste management and remediation activities, GASTAT said.

Furthermore, the sub-index of mining and quarrying activity increased by 1.2%, and the sub-index of manufacturing activity increased by 7.2%.

The sub-index of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activity recorded a decrease of 2.1%, and the sub-index of water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities increased by 10.5%.

The IPI by main economic activities increased by 3.8% compared to the same month of the previous year, while the index of non-oil activities also increased by 2.4%.

GASTAT publishes the IPI monthly. It is an economic indicator that reflects the relative changes in the volume of industrial output. It is calculated based on the industrial production survey.