Al Marzouqi Appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of GCC Negotiating Team

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Albudaiwi meets with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi, newly-appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC, in Riyadh on Wednesday. (GCC)
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Albudaiwi meets with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi, newly-appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC, in Riyadh on Wednesday. (GCC)
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Al Marzouqi Appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of GCC Negotiating Team

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Albudaiwi meets with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi, newly-appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC, in Riyadh on Wednesday. (GCC)
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Albudaiwi meets with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi, newly-appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC, in Riyadh on Wednesday. (GCC)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Albudaiwi held talks on Wednesday with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi, newly-appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC, on the occasion of his appointment.

The GCC Ministerial Council had on March 22 issued a decision to appoint Al Marzouqi, Saudi Arabia’s candidate, as General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC.

Meeting at the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh, Albudaiwi congratulated Al Marzouqi on his appointment, wishing him success in carrying out his duties in advancing Gulf trade negotiations in a manner that meets the aspirations of the leaders and people of the GCC.

The officials also discussed the need to seize Gulf achievements in line with the provisions of the economic agreement. They underlined the ability of GCC countries to play a major role as an economic engine through strategic partnerships and free trade negotiations with a number of countries, regional blocs, and other economic and international groups.

They also stressed the means to accelerate the pace of partnerships to help advance growth and Gulf economic integration, through plans, visions and development programs.

Al Marzouqi expressed his gratitude to Albudaiwi and Gulf foreign ministers for the confidence in appointing him as the General Coordinator for Negotiations.

Al Marzouqi had previously worked as a Chief Economic Advisor at the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning. He worked as a faculty member at the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, and a collaborating expert with the International Monetary Fund.

He has also held several leadership and administrative positions in the government and private sectors, as well as international and regional organizations, the most recent of which was the position of CEO of the Gulf Monetary Council.

Al Marzouqi holds a PhD in Economics from Oklahoma State University-Stillwater, a Master's degree in Applied Mathematical Economics from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the United States, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from King Saud University in Riyadh.



Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024

Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024
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Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024

Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced on Sunday that the number of valid mining licenses in the Kingdom has reached 2,401 by the end of 2024.

The licenses cover various categories, including mining, exploration, reconnaissance, building materials quarries, and small mine operations.

According to the 2024 Mining Sector Indicators Bulletin, issued by the National Industrial and Mining Information Center, the majority of these licenses were granted for building materials quarries (1,481), followed by exploration (642), mining and small mining exploitation (215), reconnaissance (41), and surplus mineral ore extraction (22).

The bulletin serves as a critical tool for monitoring developments in the mining sector, tracking both existing and newly issued licenses across various regions of the Kingdom. By boosting transparency and providing accurate data, the initiative supports investors and decision-makers in making informed choices that contribute to the sector’s growth and sustainability.