Riyadh Governor: Saudi Arabia Ranked among World’s Top Economies

A panel discussion at the Riyadh Economic Forum. (SPA)
A panel discussion at the Riyadh Economic Forum. (SPA)
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Riyadh Governor: Saudi Arabia Ranked among World’s Top Economies

A panel discussion at the Riyadh Economic Forum. (SPA)
A panel discussion at the Riyadh Economic Forum. (SPA)

The progressive policies of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz have paved the way for Saudi Arabia to become among the world’s top economies, said to Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar.

Under the patronage of King Salman, Prince Faisal inaugurated on Monday the eighth edition of the "Riyadh Economic Forum" at the King Faisal Hall, where he addressed over 300 delegates.

The event is held under the theme “Plan Today for Tomorrow’s Economy” and is sponsored by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Prince Faisal stated that the government’s support to the private sector reflects its trust in its vital role in the economic development of the Kingdom and activating its role in facilitating economic reforms and development goals embodied in Vision 2030.

The Riyadh governor said the recent economic reforms introduced in the Kingdom under the "wise leadership of King Salman” created a conducive climate for the growth of the Kingdom’s economy and enhancement of investments.

The importance of the eighth edition of the forum can be noticed in the changes in Saudi Arabia’s national economy, such as in restructuring, building an economic base on diversifying sources of income, optimizing the Kingdom's natural and human resources and integrating the philosophy of innovation and technological knowledge in production.

During the first session of the forum, adviser to the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Abdullah al- Dabbagh chaired a debate panel on a study on mineral resources and investments. The discussion saw the participation of partner and board member of al-Kifah Holding Saleh Bin Hassan Abdullah al-Afaleq and CEO of Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) Khaled bin Saleh al-Mudaifer.

Saudi economic circles and public and private sectors consider the Riyadh Economic Forum an important economic event given that it focuses on the in-depth research of the national economy and its main problems.

The forum also addresses the government's efforts to achieve Vision 2030, as well as efforts to raise the efficiency of the national economy against local, regional and global economic challenges.

Additionally, the Riyadh Economic Forum aims to promote the effective partnership between the public and private sectors.



Washington Urges Israel to Extend Cooperation with Palestinian Banks

A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)
A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)
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Washington Urges Israel to Extend Cooperation with Palestinian Banks

A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)
A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)

The United States on Thursday called on Israel to extend its cooperation with Palestinian banks for another year, to avoid blocking vital transactions in the occupied West Bank.

"I am glad that Israel has allowed its banks to continue cooperating with Palestinian banks, but I remain convinced that a one-year extension of the waiver to facilitate this cooperation is needed," US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday, on the sidelines of a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Rio de Janeiro.

In May, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to cut off a vital banking channel between Israel and the West Bank in response to three European countries recognizing the State of Palestine.

On June 30, however, Smotrich extended a waiver that allows cooperation between Israel's banking system and Palestinian banks in the occupied West Bank for four months, according to Israeli media, according to AFP.

The Times of Israel newspaper reported that the decision on the waiver was made at a cabinet meeting in a "move that saw Israel legalize several West Bank settlement outposts."

The waiver was due to expire at the end of June, and the extension permitted Israeli banks to process payments for salaries and services to the Palestinian Authority in shekels, averting a blow to a Palestinian economy already devastated by the war in Gaza.

The Israeli threat raised serious concerns in the United States, which said at the time it feared "a humanitarian crisis" if banking ties were cut.

According to Washington, these banking channels are key to nearly $8 billion of imports from Israel to the West Bank, including electricity, water, fuel and food.