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Initiatives Boost Progression of Saudi Investment Environment Internationally

Initiatives Boost Progression of Saudi Investment Environment Internationally
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Initiatives Boost Progression of Saudi Investment Environment Internationally

Initiatives Boost Progression of Saudi Investment Environment Internationally

The Saudi trade and investment system has strengthened its success through a series of qualitative initiatives that have been undertaken over the past period in the light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

In the past period, global indicators have witnessed many achievements that contributed to improving the ranking of the Global Competitiveness Report for the first time in six years.

It reached the 39th position in the world, achieved the fourth place at the G20 level in business environment reforms in the World Bank 2019 report, and the seventh globally in the minority shareholder protection index.

The system implemented initiatives aimed at improving the business environment, facilitating business, enacting new legislative regulations and other amendments to provide an attractive and fair investment and trade environment, raise awareness and protection of consumer and merchant, and develop e-services.

The trade and investment system has taken advanced steps in improving the business environment. During the past period, a number of initiatives and projects have been launched.

Among these projects and initiatives is the establishment of the General Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Saudi Intellectual Property Authority (SIPA), the Saudi Business Center and the E-Commerce Council.

It has also launched Maras initiative, the Small and Medium Enterprises Support Center in Riyadh, new customer service centers for the business sector, Bayan Credit Bureau and Investment Atlas and issued Business Licensing Guide to business activities.

The system continues to work to improve the business environment within the framework of planned strategies and projects aimed at making business easier in order to attract value-added foreign investments.

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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)

Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the organization will take an active role at COP16, the UN conference on combating desertification, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early December.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he expressed confidence that the conference—the first of its kind in the Middle East—would produce significant outcomes.

Elwaer’s comments came during a roundtable organized by FAO’s regional office in Cairo, attended by a select group of media representatives. The session focused on FAO’s participation in the upcoming conference and the importance of the Rio Trio —the integrated framework of the three major UN conventions addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification.

Fida Haddad, FAO’s Program Officer for Land Rehabilitation and Climate Change, highlighted the interconnectedness of the three conventions and noted that COP16 would place a strong emphasis on land and water rehabilitation and their sustainable management.

Haddad pointed out that approximately 90% of the Middle East is affected by arid conditions. Despite this, local communities and Arab governments have made notable progress in addressing desertification and drought. She also announced that, for the first time, FAO has successfully placed food systems on the COP16 agenda, enabling discussions on how land rehabilitation can enhance food supply chains and systems.

Elwaer underscored FAO’s central role in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): eradicating hunger. He emphasized that FAO actively engages in the UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, which collectively contribute to this mission.

FAO’s focus, according to Elwaer, is on transforming food and agricultural systems to become more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable, aiming for better production, nutrition, and livelihoods. He highlighted the organization’s success in integrating these priorities into the agendas of the three conventions and collaborating with host countries on joint initiatives.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 is particularly significant for the region, which faces pressing challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and food insecurity. The conference presents an opportunity for Middle Eastern nations to highlight these issues, explore solutions, and ensure their inclusion in global environmental discussions, not only at this event but in future COP sessions, he underlined.

Elwaer emphasized the growing global attention on desertification, as it is now impacting regions previously unaffected, such as southern Europe and parts of Latin America. These areas are witnessing alarming declines in arable land and forests, prompting them to seek lessons from the Arab world, which has developed resilience strategies to combat desertification over centuries.

FAO will have a strong presence at COP16, with two dedicated pavilions—one in the Blue Zone for official delegations and another in the Green Zone to engage civil society and conference participants, he said.

He added that in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the UN, FAO will lead coordination on Food Day and Governance Day, scheduled for December 5 and 6, respectively. The organization will also participate in other specialized sessions throughout the conference.