Minister of Investment Heads Saudi Government and Private Delegation to Latin America

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih. (SPA)
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Minister of Investment Heads Saudi Government and Private Delegation to Latin America

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih. (SPA)

Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih is heading a high-level delegation composed of a number of government agencies, national companies and representatives of the private sector scheduled to pay an official tour of seven Latin American nations between July 31 and August 9, 2023, SPA said on Monday.
An official report said that the tour will take the Saudi delegation to the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Chile, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Republic of Argentina, the Republic of Panama, the Republic of Paraguay and the Republic of Uruguay.
The tour aims to strengthen investment relations, review the existing strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Latin American countries, and highlight the qualitative and unprecedented opportunities that the Kingdom abounds in all fields.
In his first leg, Al-Falih is set to open the Brazilian-Saudi Investment Forum on Monday, in the presence of senior officials from the two countries. In addition, several officials and CEOs of major companies and representatives of the private sector from the two countries will participate in the forum, in order to enhance investment relations in all fields.
The forum will review investment opportunities and the environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federative Republic of Brazil as well. It will also include discussion sessions on a number of topics aimed at strengthening investment relations in various areas of common interest, including investment opportunities in mining, food processing, agriculture, transport and logistics, health care, entertainment, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Moreover, the forum will highlight the possibility of partnership between investors in the two countries, with the participation of representatives of government agencies, the private sector and major Saudi and Brazilian companies.
During his tour of the other six-nation Latin American countries, the Minister of Investment and his accompanying delegation are scheduled to hold several roundtable-meetings with representatives of companies with the aim of exploring opportunities to strengthen and deepen investment partnerships.
The tour comes as an extension of previous visits organized by the Ministry of Investment to a number of Caribbean and Latin and South American countries aiming to enhance investment relations with the region, within the Kingdom’s keenness to build bridges of communication with various countries of the world.



Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Discuss Bilateral Ties, Regional Developments

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Discuss Bilateral Ties, Regional Developments

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, met on Wednesday with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah to review bilateral relations between the two countries. The discussions focused on existing areas of cooperation and opportunities to further strengthen and expand collaboration across various sectors.

The Crown Prince commended the PM's efforts in supporting Pakistan’s development and advancing the Saudi–Pakistani strategic partnership.

The two leaders also discussed regional and international developments, specifically focusing on the talks between the United States and Iran hosted by Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war that has swept the Middle East leading to a fragile temporary ceasefire and an initial round of talks in Islamabad.

The Crown Prince praised the diplomatic efforts of both Sharif and Chief of the Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz; Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah; and Minister of State and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban. On the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar was in attendance.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share strong ties, reinforced by a strategic agreement that treats an external attack on one as an attack on both.

Last month, Sharif praised Saudi Arabia for its “notable restraint” amid the ongoing hostilities and stressed the urgent need for de-escalation.

On March 9, the Saudi Crown Prince and Pakistan’s PM held a closed-door meeting during which Sharif expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and both sides agreed to promote regional peace and stability.

 


GCC Secretary-General Affirms Gulf Stability as a Cornerstone of Global Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
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GCC Secretary-General Affirms Gulf Stability as a Cornerstone of Global Stability

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi stressed during a working session before the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) that Gulf–European relations are more important than ever amid current regional and international challenges, and called for elevating them from consultation to a more practical partnership, SPA reported.

Albudaiwi, who is holding a series of meetings with senior officials in Brussels, explained that recent security developments in the region, along with threats to maritime routes, supply chains, and energy and food security, confirm that Gulf stability is not merely a regional matter, but a fundamental element of global stability.

He emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and secure under international law, particularly UNCLOS (1982).

He also praised the EU’s condemnation of Iranian attacks on GCC states and its efforts to contain escalation through urgent diplomatic engagement.


Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

 A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

 A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Makkah Region police arrested an Egyptian resident for fraud after posting advertisements on social media offering fake permits to enter the holy sites and fraudulent Hajj services, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

Legal action was taken against him and he was referred to the Public Prosecution.

The General Directorate of Public Security urged citizens and residents to adhere to Hajj regulations and guidelines and to report violators.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the penalties that will be imposed on violators of the regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj.

A fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on any individual found performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.

A fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on any person who applies for the issuance of a visit visa of any type for an individual who performs or attempts to perform Hajj without a permit.

Infiltrators, including residents and those who overstay their visas, will be deported back to their countries and banned them from entering the Kingdom for 10 years.