Saudi Economist Appointed Visiting Scholar at Stanford University

Dr. Khalid Alsweilem (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Khalid Alsweilem (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Economist Appointed Visiting Scholar at Stanford University

Dr. Khalid Alsweilem (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Khalid Alsweilem (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The prestigious Stanford University has recently announced appointing a Saudi economist and investment expert as a visiting scholar.

Stanford Center for Sustainable Development and Global Competitiveness (SDGC) and Stanford Long Term Investing (SLTI) said they are pleased to welcome Dr. Khalid Alsweilem, PhD, as a Visiting Scholar to Stanford.

His research focuses on the study of sovereign wealth funds, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia’s reserve sovereign funds and their links to the real economy, the University wrote on its official website.

His current efforts complement the theoretical work he did at Harvard’s Department of Economics on portfolio theory approach to public finance in Saudi Arabia and its application to his work as Director General of Investment Department and Chief Investment Officer of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) during the past 30 years. SAMA is the Kingdom’s Central Bank.

Dr. Alsweilem has published numerous scholarly pieces focused on the connection between sovereign wealth and the “real economy.”

His most recent book, dubbed “Sovereign Wealth Funds in Resource Economies” was co-authored with Malan Rietveld, Fellow at the Center for International Development at Harvard University, and published in 2018 by Columbia University Press.

The San Francisco-based University is one of the world’s most important universities that have been operating for over a decade. It was credited with technical progress, as it started from its laboratories at the Silicon Valley in the 1960s.

Dr. Alsweilem is a former Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

He was a lead author for three major papers on sovereign funds models and institutions that were published as joint reports by the Belfer Center for Science and International affairs and the Center for International Development at Harvard.

He is currently working at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Golub Center for Finance and Policy (GCFP).



Saudi Minister of Industry: Geological Survey Authority to Play Key Role in Mining Over Next 25 Years

Prince Saud and the Minister of Industry during the Authority's ceremony. (Makkah Region)
Prince Saud and the Minister of Industry during the Authority's ceremony. (Makkah Region)
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Saudi Minister of Industry: Geological Survey Authority to Play Key Role in Mining Over Next 25 Years

Prince Saud and the Minister of Industry during the Authority's ceremony. (Makkah Region)
Prince Saud and the Minister of Industry during the Authority's ceremony. (Makkah Region)

Saudi Arabia’s Geological Survey Authority plays a vital role in uncovering the earth’s reserves of metals such as gold, zinc, and copper. According to Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, this role is set to expand significantly in the next 25 years as the Authority becomes central to advancing the mining sector.

Alkhorayef emphasized the commitment to continuing geological survey and exploration projects, providing critical data to investors. He highlighted initiatives launched by the Authority to transform the mining sector into the third pillar of the national economy.

The minister was speaking during a ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Saudi Geological Survey Authority. The event, held under the patronage of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of the Makkah Province, was inaugurated by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the region, in the presence of senior officials and distinguished guests.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Alkhorayef noted the significant influx of investment in Saudi Arabia’s mining sector.

“There is now a large number of investment applications in the mining sector. We are collaborating with other government entities to ensure site allocations for investors,” he said.

He added that new agreements are being signed daily, both for expansions by existing investors and for new entrants to the sector.

The data obtained from geological surveys and the Authority’s digital platform has positioned Saudi Arabia as a prime destination for mining investments,’ he stressed.

“The results we achieve through geological surveys and accurate data collection make Saudi Arabia a key focus for companies seeking to expand in the mining sector to secure future resource supplies,” added Alkhorayef.

He also underscored efforts to verify data through additional sampling and by concentrating on areas with the richest deposits, which enhances the credibility of Saudi mining data globally.

Saudi Arabia has implemented extensive geological survey projects, covering over 85% of the country’s territory through advanced geophysical and geochemical techniques.

Alkhorayef highlighted the General Geological Survey Program and the initiative to build a National Geological Data Repository. These efforts have increased the estimated value of the Kingdom’s untapped mineral resources from SAR 4.9 trillion in 2016 to SAR 9.4 trillion at the beginning of 2024.

At the ceremony, the Deputy Governor of Makkah Province unveiled the Saudi Geological Survey Authority’s new logo, reflecting its geological identity and ongoing efforts to map the Kingdom’s resources while promoting cultural and environmental awareness. The event also included recognition for the Authority’s founding committee members and ceremony sponsors.

Alkhorayef noted that the Authority has completed more than 500 specialized projects across various earth science fields. These include geological mapping at various scales, mineral exploration, geophysical, geochemical, and marine surveys, geological hazard monitoring and mitigation, and mining research and studies.

He pointed to the Authority’s emphasis on developing its human resources, recognizing that their dedication and expertise have been pivotal to its success and to earning widespread acclaim for its accomplishments.

In his remarks marking the Authority’s 25th anniversary, Alkhorayef acknowledged the significant national efforts in exploring mineral wealth over the past quarter-century.

These efforts have led to major discoveries that have positively impacted multiple sectors, he said, adding that discoveries of key minerals like phosphate, potassium, gold, and silver, as well as strategic mineral reserves, have bolstered investments and spurred the growth of the mining sector.