Saudi Arabia: 3 Summits to Promote Partnerships With Switzerland, Brazil, India

A Saudi man walks past the sign of the Future Investment Initiative during the last day of the investment conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
A Saudi man walks past the sign of the Future Investment Initiative during the last day of the investment conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
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Saudi Arabia: 3 Summits to Promote Partnerships With Switzerland, Brazil, India

A Saudi man walks past the sign of the Future Investment Initiative during the last day of the investment conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
A Saudi man walks past the sign of the Future Investment Initiative during the last day of the investment conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

The Saudi capital will witness three bilateral summits this week to promote partnerships with each of Switzerland, Brazil, and India.

Swiss President Ueli Maurer visited Riyadh to participate in a Saudi-Swiss summit on Monday aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries and holding dialogue that promote the merging of positions on bilateral and international issues.

Discussions will also touch on financial issues, as Switzerland has been a regular guest in the meetings of the Finance Track of the Group of 20, which Saudi Arabia will host next year.

Saudi Arabia is an important market for Swiss financial services providers outside Europe.

Swiss financial institutions have a strong presence in Saudi markets. The Kingdom is one of Switzerland’s most important trading partners in the Middle East. In 2017, Swiss exports to Saudi Arabia amounted to CHF 8.1 billion, and imports from Saudi Arabia amounted to CHF 558 million.

Riyadh will also host a Saudi-Indian summit on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Kingdom to strengthen ties of friendship and promote strategic partnership.

Another high-level meeting will take place in Riyadh on Tuesday. A Saudi-Brazilian summit will define the new features of strategic relations linking the Kingdom with Latin America.



Bahrain and Oman Deepen Ties During King Hamad’s Visit to Muscat

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
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Bahrain and Oman Deepen Ties During King Hamad’s Visit to Muscat

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)

Oman and Bahrain held expanded talks this week aimed at bolstering their strong bilateral relations and widening their partnership.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq received Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Muscat on Tuesday to discuss opportunities to develop their economic and investment partnership.

They stressed the importance of encouraging the public and private sectors to diversify their fields to meet the aspirations of their people and countries. They also welcomed the establishment of the Omani-Bahraini Investment Company.

King Hamad was in Oman at the head of a senior delegation on January 14 and 15.

The leaders praised the growth of the historic relations between their countries.

They hailed the success of the Omani-Bahraini business council and its role in boosting bilateral cooperation and execution of joint projects that meet their countries’ aspirations.

King Hamad and Sultan Haitham discussed the work of the Gulf Cooperation Council and its success in boosting collective work. They hoped to deepen cooperation and integration between its countries.

They reviewed regional and international developments, underscoring the importance of resolving crises and disputes through peaceful means and bolstering dialogue and international cooperation.

Oman and Bahrain signed 25 agreements and memoranda of understanding during King Hamad’s visit. They covered double taxation, endowments, zakat, meteorology, the stock market, health, media, scientific and educational cooperation, investment opportunities, food security, agricultural production and development and other issues.