Saudi EXIM Bank Signs MOU with OPEC Fund for International Development

Saudi EXIM Bank Signs MOU with OPEC Fund for International Development
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Saudi EXIM Bank Signs MOU with OPEC Fund for International Development

Saudi EXIM Bank Signs MOU with OPEC Fund for International Development

The Saudi Export-Import Bank (EXIM) and the OPEC Fund for International Development have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation, support development initiatives, and promote Saudi non-oil exports in mutually beneficial markets. The agreement, inked during the 2024 OPEC Development Forum in Vienna, was signed by CEO of Saudi EXIM Eng. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalab and the Director General of the OPEC Fund for International Development, Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa.
Eng. Al-Khalb emphasized that the MOU reflects Saudi EXIM's commitment to forging robust international partnerships and contributing to sustainable development efforts in collaboration with the global community. The initiative aims to bolster Saudi non-oil exports in international markets, thereby supporting local investors and strengthening the non-oil national economy in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.
He praised the OPEC Fund for International Development's role in promoting economic growth across more than 70 countries worldwide and highlighted the EXIM Bank's enthusiasm for its pivotal role in these initiatives.
During the forum, Eng. Al-Khalb led Saudi EXIM's delegation in exploring opportunities for international development initiatives, enhancing trade relations, and establishing partnerships to facilitate Saudi non-oil exports. He held meetings with various ministers and CEOs of international commercial and development institutions, including discussions with Minister of State for Financial Affairs in the Maldives Hussain Adam on enhancing cooperation for Saudi exports in Asian markets. Additionally, he met with CEO of Africa 50 Alain Ebobisse to explore collaboration opportunities for Saudi exports in African markets, as well as discussions on expanding exports to Latin America and the Caribbean.



Saudi Arabia Sees 656% Surge in Leisure Tourism in 2024

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Sees 656% Surge in Leisure Tourism in 2024

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism said its sector, particularly the leisure and holiday segments, witnessed substantial growth, due in no small part to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 directives.
In a statement marking World Tourism Day, observed every year on September 27, the ministry said that the Kingdom welcomed 17.5 million international tourists between January and July 2024, a 10% increase over the same period in 2023 and a 73% increase compared to the 2019 figures, SPA reported.
Most striking is the 656% increase in the number of tourists arriving specifically for entertainment and holiday purpose. The ministry said that 4.2 million tourists arrived for these purposes in the first seven months of 2024, a 25% increase over the previous year and an enormous leap over pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
These impressive results highlight the success of the Kingdom's long-term tourism strategy, under Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Saudi Arabia into a global tourism destination. The Kingdom had set the goal of 100 million tourists by 2030, but achieved this milestone in 2023, seven years ahead of schedule.
Saudi Arabia was acknowledged as the fastest-growing G20 country in the latest UN World Tourism Barometer report. According to September report, Saudi Arabia leads both in the growth of international tourist numbers and in tourism revenues.
These figures underscore the Kingdom's strategic focus on developing a sustainable tourism sector, improving infrastructure, and promoting Saudi Arabia as a premier global destination.
The ministry's achievements reflect the effectiveness of these efforts and position the Kingdom as a key player in the field of global tourism.