GCC, Indonesia Sign Joint Statement to Launch Free Trade Negotiations

GCC, Indonesia sign joint statement to launch free trade negotiations. (SPA)
GCC, Indonesia sign joint statement to launch free trade negotiations. (SPA)
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GCC, Indonesia Sign Joint Statement to Launch Free Trade Negotiations

GCC, Indonesia sign joint statement to launch free trade negotiations. (SPA)
GCC, Indonesia sign joint statement to launch free trade negotiations. (SPA)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met yesterday with Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan in Jakarta, where they underscored the significance of strengthening cooperation between the GCC and Indonesia to bolster economic ties and serve mutual interests.
The meeting included a signing ceremony for a joint statement to initiate GCC-Indonesia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
Both sides emphasized that the FTA between the two countries would establish a solid groundwork for expanding trade and investment and fostering cooperation. They highlighted that it will also establish the framework for legislation, laws, and procedures governing investments between the two sides, set mechanisms for their implementation, and create new job opportunities.
Albudaiwi said that the signing of the joint statement aligns with the directives of the GCC leaders to strengthen ties with international partners, highlighting that the FTA will play a crucial role in realizing the economic visions of the GCC countries and their strategic plans for economic diversification.
He also said that the initial round of negotiations will begin this year and is anticipated to conclude within 24 months, as mutually agreed upon.



Saudi Arabia Launches HUMAIN to Develop Artificial Intelligence

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Launches HUMAIN to Develop Artificial Intelligence

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has launched a new company under the Public Investment Fund (PIF) named HUMAIN to develop and manage artificial intelligence technologies.

Chaired by the Crown Prince, HUMAIN will provide a comprehensive range of AI services, products, and tools, including next-generation data centers, AI infrastructure, cloud capabilities and advanced AI models and solutions.

The company will also offer one of the world's most powerful multimodal Arabic large language models (LLMs.

Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) President Dr. Abdullah Alghamdi praised the Crown Prince’s announcement of the launch of HUMAIN.

He described the move as a strategic decision that strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a leader in data and AI and supports the foundations of a knowledge-based economy.

Alghamdi stated that the launch of HUMAIN reflects the Crown Prince's unwavering support to position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for advanced and AI-related technologies, especially amid the current global technological and knowledge transformations.

He stated that the company will bolster national efforts to advance the Kingdom's leadership in data and AI-driven economies and accelerate the development and application of these technologies for the benefit of the country and humanity.

He said that the world is witnessing rapid transformations across various fields due to the rise of AI technologies and their applications, which have become a cornerstone of the global economy. Guided by its leadership, he said, the Kingdom has sought to harness these technologies to advance digital transformation, boost economic growth, productivity, and global competitiveness.