Saudi Arabia to Transform Makkah, Madinah into Global Islamic Business Hub

The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia to Transform Makkah, Madinah into Global Islamic Business Hub

The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia seeks to transform Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah in the west of the Kingdom into a center for financial and business activities in the Islamic world.

Three economic entities are joining forces to turn the two cities into a center for business activities, and a platform for knowledge and creativity related to the Islamic world and practices.

In this context, Saudi Arabia will hold a major event on Wednesday at the Makkah Chamber Center for Exhibitions and Events, where representatives from the 57 countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and a number of diplomats will witness the signing of a qualitative partnership agreement between the Chambers of Makkah and Al-Madinah with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.

Abdullah Saleh Kamel, chairman of the board of directors for the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, said the agreement aims to provide logistical support on the ground in both holy cities through investment and integrated planning for global events.

He added that the partnership will also benefit business sectors in the holy cities by hosting a number of exhibitions, forums, workshops and dialogues with decision-makers from the Islamic world.

For his part, Munir bin Saad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Madinah Chamber, stressed that the partnership between the three chambers of commerce contributes to a cultural, heritage and urban shift for the two holy cities, and achieves the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030.

Youssef Khalawi, Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, said that the partnership will seek to organize workshops on the new business concepts, and hold meetings and gatherings at the international level, in addition to establishing permanent centers in the two holy cities, issuing specialized economic reports and developing studies.



Saudi Energy Minister: Petroleum and Petrochemical Law Guarantees Fair Competition for Investors

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (Reuters)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (Reuters)
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Saudi Energy Minister: Petroleum and Petrochemical Law Guarantees Fair Competition for Investors

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (Reuters)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. (Reuters)

Shortly after the Saudi Cabinet approved the Petroleum and Petrochemical Law, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday the regulation aims to achieve a set of goals, mainly regulating petroleum and petrochemical operations, in a manner that contributes to economic growth.

The law also backs efforts to attract investments, elevates employment rates, upgrades energy efficiency, safeguards consumers and licensees, while ensuring product quality and creating a competitive environment that fuels fair economic yields for investors, the Minister said.

Prince Abdulaziz expressed his gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the Cabinet’s decision to approve the new law.

He praised the Saudi leadership for its support and empowerment of the energy sector, and its contribution in boosting the sector’s productivity to achieve the targets of Vision 2030.

The new law helps in building the local energy sector’s legislative framework, Prince Abdulaziz went on to say.

“This is accomplished by leveraging the top-tier international practices, boosting performance, achieving national objectives, and ensuring the optimal use of petroleum and petrochemical resources,” he said.

The new law, replacing the Petroleum Products Trade Law, helps ensure the security and reliability of local petroleum and petrochemical supplies, the minister explained.

This is on top of achieving optimal utilization of raw materials, supporting the localization of the industry’s value chain, enabling national strategies and plans, and enhancing the control and supervision of petroleum and petrochemical operations to step up compliance with laws and regulations, he added.

The new law combats practice violations by regulating the activities of use, sale, purchase, transportation, storage, export, import, packaging, and processing of these resources.

It also regulates the establishment and operation of distribution channels and petrochemical facilities, said Prince Abdulaziz.