UK Firms Seek Wind Power Partnerships in Saudi Arabia

UK Firms Seek Wind Power Partnerships in Saudi Arabia
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UK Firms Seek Wind Power Partnerships in Saudi Arabia

UK Firms Seek Wind Power Partnerships in Saudi Arabia

A delegation of 20 UK renewable energy companies are seeking means to transfer expertise and production technologies to contribute to producing 59 gigawatts of wind power in Saudi Arabia, in hope that partnerships would be forged to localize this industry in the coming years.

During the Saudi-British Forum on renewable energy held in Riyadh on Wednesday, the British delegation looked into the Saudi potentials in terms of natural resources that produce solar and wind energy.

The CEO of Saudi British Joint Business Council, Chris Hawkins, told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the forum revealed great opportunities that will pave the way for partnerships in renewable energy generation and the transfer of relevant expertise and technology."

Hawkins noted that the British firms currently focus on contributing to giant projects launched lately by the kingdom, namely producing 59 gigawatts of wind power according to Saudi Vision 2030.

Meetings were held during the past three days with relevant official Saudi parties including ACWA Power, the General Investment Authority (SAGIA), the Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO), SABIC, and the Council of Saudi Chambers, he added.

Saudi Arabia enjoys high competitiveness in the energy sector, Hawkins continued.

He stressed Britain’s support to Saudi projects and future programs in all its phases and fields. Further, trade exchange between the UK and Saudi Arabia amounts GBP10 billion, Hawkins added.

Nasser al-Mutawa, the co-chairman of the Saudi British Joint Business Council and head of Saudi-British Forum at the Council of Saudi Chambers, told the newspaper that this forum has provided the British party with rich and persuasive information.

The British delegation was introduced to the Saudi investment environment and regulations, he added.



Syria, World Bank Discuss Tools to Support Syrian Economic Recovery

People wait their turn in a queue outside an ATM in Damascus on April 16, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
People wait their turn in a queue outside an ATM in Damascus on April 16, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
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Syria, World Bank Discuss Tools to Support Syrian Economic Recovery

People wait their turn in a queue outside an ATM in Damascus on April 16, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
People wait their turn in a queue outside an ATM in Damascus on April 16, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

Members of the Syrian government and a delegation from the World Bank discussed in Damascus tools to support Syria's economic recovery, the Syrian foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Sources told Reuters on Saturday that Syrian officials are planning to attend the annual spring meetings held by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington, D.C. this month, which would be the first such visit in at least two decades.

Syria has around $15 million in arrears to the World Bank which must be paid off before the international financial institution can approve grants and provide other forms of assistance.

But Damascus is short of foreign currency and a previous plan to pay off the debts using assets frozen abroad did not materialize, according to two people familiar with the matter.

A technical delegation from the World Bank met with Syria's Finance Minister Mohammed Yosr Bernieh on Monday, according to the Syrian state news agency Sana.
The meeting, which was the first public meeting between the Syrian government and the World Bank, included discussions on strengthening financial and economic ties between the two sides.
Bernieh also highlighted the negative effects of the international sanctions imposed on Syria and policies of the former regime on the country's financial and banking sector.