KSA Investigates 3,700 Corruption Cases, Seeks Structural Reforms

 Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, Saudi Minister of Commerce and Acting Minister of Media, speaks during a press briefing on Thursday (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, Saudi Minister of Commerce and Acting Minister of Media, speaks during a press briefing on Thursday (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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KSA Investigates 3,700 Corruption Cases, Seeks Structural Reforms

 Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, Saudi Minister of Commerce and Acting Minister of Media, speaks during a press briefing on Thursday (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, Saudi Minister of Commerce and Acting Minister of Media, speaks during a press briefing on Thursday (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, Saudi Minister of Commerce and Acting Minister of Media, revealed that the anti-corruption authority has initiated 3,700 corruption cases and was seeking to eradicate corruption in line with Vision 2030.

Speaking on Thursday during the first periodic press conference, which the ministry of media launched to promote transparency, Al-Qasabi underlined the Kingdom’s fight against corruption, saying that it was based on a strong institutional approach and work method.

“This approach will continue until ensuring that corruption is eradicated and all money is returned to the citizens,” he emphasized.

The minister noted that Vision 2030 has made structural reforms that included 13 ministries, in addition to procedural improvements. He stressed in this regard that the citizen was the main focus of development.

Seventy-two laws and regulations have been amended in recent years, he said, adding that the legislative infrastructure was the basis for success in many areas.

On Saudi Arabia’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic, Al-Qasabi said: “Our investment in developing our digital infrastructure enabled us in our fight against the pandemic.”

He added that during a period of four months, 4,000 new intensive care unit beds were made available for COVID-19 cases, more than 9 million PCR tests carried out, and at least 12 million medical consultations took place.

On the economic level, the minister stressed that the Kingdom was one of the top 10 countries in the world that have best dealt with the economic repercussions of the virus outbreak. He noted that various international organizations and bodies have praised the Saudi management of the crisis.

Al-Qasabi also said that more than 80 percent of government services had been available even during the total lockdown in the first half of 2020. He also noted that Saudi ADr. Majid Al-Qasabi, Saudi Minister of Commerce and Acting Minister of Media, revealed that the anti-corruption authority has initiated 3,700 corruption cases and was seeking to eradicate corruption in line with Vision 2030.

Speaking on Thursday during the first periodic press conference, which the ministry of media launched to promote transparency, Al-Qasabi underlined the Kingdom’s fight against corruption, saying that it was based on a strong institutional approach and work method.

“This approach will continue until ensuring that corruption is eradicated and all money is returned to the citizens,” he emphasized.

The minister noted that Vision 2030 has made structural reforms that included 13 ministries, in addition to procedural improvements. He stressed in this regard that the citizen was the main focus of development. Seventy-two laws and regulations have been amended in recent years, he said, adding that the legislative infrastructure was the basis for success in many areas.

On Saudi Arabia’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic, Al-Qasabi said: “Our investment in developing our digital infrastructure enabled us in our fight against the pandemic.”

He added that during a period of four months, 4,000 new intensive care unit beds were made available for COVID-19 cases, more than 9 million PCR tests carried out, and at least 12 million medical consultations took place.

On the economic level, the minister stressed that the Kingdom was one of the top 10 countries in the world that have best dealt with the economic repercussions of the virus outbreak. He noted that various international organizations and bodies have praised the Saudi management of the crisis.

Al-Qasabi also said that more than 80 percent of government services had been available even during the total lockdown in the first half of 2020.

He also noted that Saudi Arabia would be one of the first countries to receive a vaccine against Covid-19.

rabia would be one of the first countries to receive a vaccine against Covid-19.



Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.