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Oslo, Riyadh Look to Boost Trade, Cooperation in Green Energy, Aquaculture Fields

Norwegian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Thomas Lid Ball (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Norwegian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Thomas Lid Ball (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Oslo, Riyadh Look to Boost Trade, Cooperation in Green Energy, Aquaculture Fields

Norwegian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Thomas Lid Ball (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Norwegian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Thomas Lid Ball (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A Norwegian diplomat revealed that his country is actively seeking to enhance economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia, particularly in the fields of green energy and aquaculture, amid ongoing efforts to increase trade and investment, highlighting the deep bilateral relations.

Thomas Lid Ball, Norway's ambassador in Riyadh, expected that the coming years would witness further advancements on all fronts.

Ball drew attention to the promising investment opportunities presented by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

He also emphasized the strong desire of numerous Norwegian investors to operate in the Saudi market and take advantage of the vast opportunities it offers as one of the largest markets in the region.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ball anticipated an increase in activities and meetings between business sectors, as well as an exchange of visits by trade delegations.

This aims to explore investment opportunities in both Norway and Saudi Arabia, enhance trade and investment cooperation, and capitalize on the promising prospects available in various sectors for developing business partnerships.

Moreover, Ball highlighted Saudi Arabia’s economic advancements and its favorable investment environment, emphasizing the efforts to explore significant opportunities for economic cooperation between Norway and the Kingdom.

This extends beyond the oil and gas sectors to encompass healthcare, tourism, seafood industries, aquaculture, maritime industries, renewable energy, solar energy, and water sectors.

Ball reiterated his commitment to work towards achieving development and further enhancing bilateral trade relations.

He also anticipated the entry of new Norwegian companies into the Saudi market.

Ball stated that there are significant opportunities in the Kingdom that are currently undergoing a phase of transformation and development for sustainable growth. He emphasized the potential for expanding cooperation in various industries, including the seafood sector.

The diplomat clarified that Norway has made significant strides in the aquaculture industry, producing over half of the world’s farmed Atlantic salmon.

These salmon are exported to more than 100 countries, with total Norwegian salmon sales to Saudi Arabia reaching $27 million in 2019.

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Interviews

Hamdok Optimistic for Burhan-Hemedti Meeting

Abdullah Hamdok, Sudan’s former Prime Minister and leader of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum)
Abdullah Hamdok, Sudan’s former Prime Minister and leader of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum)
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Hamdok Optimistic for Burhan-Hemedti Meeting

Abdullah Hamdok, Sudan’s former Prime Minister and leader of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum)
Abdullah Hamdok, Sudan’s former Prime Minister and leader of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum)

Abdalla Hamdok, Sudan’s former Prime Minister and leader of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), is optimistic about a potential meeting between Sudan’s army leader, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti.”
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of a Cairo conference for Sudanese political forces, Hamdok said: “A meeting between the two sides is possible through the African Union’s Presidential Committee led by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.”
Hamdok highlighted that this committee “is a positive step, providing a mechanism to bring the conflicting parties together, which didn’t exist before.”
In late June, the African Peace and Security Council formed a committee led by Museveni to bring together Sudan’s military and RSF leaders promptly. They proposed an urgent African Union summit to address Sudan’s situation.
Hamdok called it a historic step, noting it’s the first mechanism at the presidential level. He hoped the committee could influence both sides and achieve peace.
He praised the recent African Peace and Security Council meeting for showing Africa’s concern for Sudan.
At the Cairo conference for Sudanese political forces, Hamdok highlighted it as a crucial gathering since the crisis began, focusing on ceasefire strategies and a sustainable political resolution.
He emphasized there’s no military solution to Sudan’s conflict and advocated for political negotiations.
The Cairo conference united Sudanese political and civilian forces under the theme “Together for Peace,” addressing ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and a political roadmap.
Hamdok pointed out that Sudan is undergoing the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis, with 25 million people inside Sudan facing famine.
“Starvation is claiming more lives than bullets,” said Hamdok, highlighting the urgent need to reach war-affected populations.
The former premier urged action to deliver aid across Sudan’s borders and ensure it reaches those in conflict zones.