Royal Commission for AlUla, Monsha’at Partner to Unlock Region’s Economic Potential

FILE PHOTO: Visitors walk outside the tombs at the Madain Saleh antiquities site, AlUla, Saudi Arabia February 10, 2019. REUTERS/Stephen Kalin
FILE PHOTO: Visitors walk outside the tombs at the Madain Saleh antiquities site, AlUla, Saudi Arabia February 10, 2019. REUTERS/Stephen Kalin
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Royal Commission for AlUla, Monsha’at Partner to Unlock Region’s Economic Potential

FILE PHOTO: Visitors walk outside the tombs at the Madain Saleh antiquities site, AlUla, Saudi Arabia February 10, 2019. REUTERS/Stephen Kalin
FILE PHOTO: Visitors walk outside the tombs at the Madain Saleh antiquities site, AlUla, Saudi Arabia February 10, 2019. REUTERS/Stephen Kalin

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Saudi Arabian Government’s Small & Medium Sized Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) have signed an agreement that would benefit entrepreneurs and SMEs in the governorate.

“At the heart of the partnership is a plan to establish a new co-working space in AlUla where local SMEs and entrepreneurs can access support services to accelerate their growth, helping them succeed through the provision of knowledge and expertise and enhancing the entrepreneurial spirit to contribute to a sustainable, diversified economy in AlUla,” RCU said in a statement.

The agreement, signed by Amr AlMadani, RCU CEO, and Monsha’at Governor Saleh AlRasheed supports the region’s economic growth potential, including key industries such as tourism and agriculture, and reflects the Kingdom’s diversification as part of Vision 2030.

“Once developed, the incubator will facilitate access to established services, including the SME’s Governmental Registration, and support unique investment opportunities within AlUla. It will also bring access to Monsha’at’s services to AlUla,” said the statement.

“This collaboration with Monsha’at enhances AlUla’s economic diversity, building on AlUla’s vision and empowering local entrepreneurs and SMEs within a vibrant society: not only to harvest the benefits of the region’s development, but to be drivers of its transformation,” it quoted AlMadani as saying.

As for AlRasheed, he said the new agreement brings Monsha’at’s expertise and programs in SME incubation together with the extraordinary economic opportunities emerging in AlUla.

“With RCU, we will work to bring global practices in SME support to AlUla,” he added.

According to AlMadani, the SME incubation center aims to become a “Launchpad” for local entrepreneurs to unleash their energy, creativity and synergy to drive AlUla’s development.

This is the most recent in a series of initiatives to create new educational, professional, and developmental opportunities for locals to help them reach their full potential and maximize their contribution as members of the local community.



Fourth Future Minerals Forum Starts in Riyadh

The fourth edition of the forum, held between January 14 and 16 - SPA
The fourth edition of the forum, held between January 14 and 16 - SPA
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Fourth Future Minerals Forum Starts in Riyadh

The fourth edition of the forum, held between January 14 and 16 - SPA
The fourth edition of the forum, held between January 14 and 16 - SPA

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the fourth edition of the Future Minerals Forum kicked off in Riyadh. The event features representatives from over 90 countries, including 16 G20 nations, 50 international governmental and non-governmental organizations, commodity trade associations, and leading figures in the global mining industry.
The forum began with the Fourth Ministerial Roundtable meeting, which aims to bolster international collaboration in producing the critical minerals essential for the global energy transition. It provides a platform for ministers and senior officials to discuss sustainable development strategies for the mining sector, focusing on positioning mining as a catalyst for economic growth and social progress, SPA reported.
The government officials met to lead global action on minerals around three key initiatives: Strategic Framework for Critical Minerals, which aims to develop a collaborative framework in the Super Region of Africa, West, and Central Asia to harness the region's mineral potential fully; Sustainability, aimed at the development of responsible supply priorities that reflect local realities in supplier countries and enhance transparency through supply chain certification; and Centers of Excellence, establishing a network to drive investments, develop human capital, and accelerate technological innovation within the Super Region and supplier countries.
The fourth edition of the forum, held between January 14 and 16, features 250 speakers, including CEOs of leading mining and mineral-related companies and financial institutions. Around 15,000 participants are expected to attend its sessions.