'Export and Import' Launches New Phase with The Saudi Business Sector

The newly established Saudi Export-Import Bank concludes an agreement with the Federation of Saudi Chambers (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).
The newly established Saudi Export-Import Bank concludes an agreement with the Federation of Saudi Chambers (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).
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'Export and Import' Launches New Phase with The Saudi Business Sector

The newly established Saudi Export-Import Bank concludes an agreement with the Federation of Saudi Chambers (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).
The newly established Saudi Export-Import Bank concludes an agreement with the Federation of Saudi Chambers (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).

The Saudi Export-Import Bank revealed a strategy to boost openness to the business sector to maximize the competitiveness of the Saudi product in global markets, announcing the approval of more than 81 financing requests worth 9 billion riyals ($2.4 billion) for more than 46 countries around the year.

Eng. Saad Alkhalb, CEO of the Saudi Export-Import Bank, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the bank was currently working to support all Saudi exports to all countries of the world, including African countries, adding: “The bank will build on investment insurance products to help Saudi exporters invest and export in all African countries, including Sudan. We also intend, in the coming period, to communicate with the African Export Bank, at its headquarters in Cairo, to discuss ways of cooperation between the two banks in order to develop African exports.”

Addressing an open meeting with business owners organized on Tuesday by the Federation of Saudi Chambers in Riyadh, in cooperation with the Saudi Export-Import Bank, Alkhalb disclosed a plan of many platforms to enhance transparency, according to periodic reports that enable the beneficiaries to access information and data required for each stage.

He pointed to the government’s efforts to support the development and industry systems in the Kingdom, noting that the business sector had contributed to the success of this trend.

For his part, Ajlan Al-Ajlan, President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation with the Export-Import Bank in order to support the bank’s efforts in exporting non-oil products, and providing financing and credit solutions that increase the competitiveness of the Saudi product.

In addition, a MoU was signed between the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Saudi Export-Import Bank aimed at enabling exporters and importers to obtain financial and advisory services provided by the bank, as part of joint efforts to promote Saudi non-oil exports, in order to achieve the aspirations of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The scope of cooperation between the two sides, according to the terms of the MoU, includes working to provide financial and advisory services to exporters and importers, introducing the services and products provided by the bank through dedicated workshops within the chambers of commerce, communicating with factories and investors, and explaining the facilities provided by the bank and the procedures necessary to obtain the financing and different services.



Carney Vows to Transform Canada Economy to Withstand Trump

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
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Carney Vows to Transform Canada Economy to Withstand Trump

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP

Prime Minister Mark Carney promised Friday to oversee the biggest transformation of Canada's economy since the end of the Second World War to enable it to "stand up" to Donald Trump.

Carney led the Liberal Party to a dramatic fourth mandate in elections on Monday after a campaign focused on the US president's threats to Canada's economy and sovereignty.

Liberals fell just short of the 172 seats needed for majority control of parliament, but with 169 confirmed wins they will be in a strong position to pass legislation. Recounts in two closely contested electoral districts saw the party lose a seat in Quebec province but gain another in Ontario.

At his first press conference since his victory, Carney struck a determined note.

Known for weighing his words carefully, he said that he was "in politics to do great things, not to be something."

"And now that Canadians have honored me with a mandate to bring about big changes quickly, I will work relentlessly to fulfill that trust," he said.

Canada's strained relations with the United States -- historically, its close ally and biggest trading partner -- was among his "immediate priorities," he said, announcing a trip to Washington next Tuesday to meet with Trump on trade and security issues.

Canadians elected him "to stand up to President Trump," he said, adding that he will act "with focus and determination."

"Our focus will be on both immediate trade pressures and the broader future economic and security relationship between our two sovereign nations," said Carney.

But he warned also not to expect any "white smoke" from their first meeting signaling a sudden breakthrough.

Carney reiterated his message from the campaign that he believes the old relationship between the two North American neighbors "based on steadily increasing integration is over."

"The questions now are how our nations will cooperate in the future," he said.

Trump "respects strength," he added, explaining that this was why he was preparing the country for major changes including a massive build-up of infrastructure and new housing.

The Conservatives, the main opposition party, as well as the Bloc Quebecois, the third-largest party in Parliament, both called for unity after the elections to fight US levies including on the automotive and steel sectors.

Carney, who previously headed the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, promised to maintain counter-tariffs on American products as long as Washington's measures were in place.

"This will be an incredibly exciting time as we take control of our economic destiny to create a new Canadian economy," Carney said.

To this end, he promised to abolish existing trade barriers between Canadian provinces by July 1 to expand the economy, and to strengthen trade with "reliable allies."

"Canada has what the world needs, and we uphold the values the world respects," he said.