Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan Sign 13 Agreements to Boost Investments

 The Saudi-Kazakh forum saw the signing of 13 investment agreements in several sectors of common interest. (Photo: Ghazi Mehdi)
The Saudi-Kazakh forum saw the signing of 13 investment agreements in several sectors of common interest. (Photo: Ghazi Mehdi)
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Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan Sign 13 Agreements to Boost Investments

 The Saudi-Kazakh forum saw the signing of 13 investment agreements in several sectors of common interest. (Photo: Ghazi Mehdi)
The Saudi-Kazakh forum saw the signing of 13 investment agreements in several sectors of common interest. (Photo: Ghazi Mehdi)

The Saudi-Kazakhstan forum, which kicked off on Sunday, saw the signing of 13 investment agreements in several sectors of common interest, including sports, media, health and medicine and agriculture.

The deals were signed in presence of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Saudi Minister of Investment Khaled Al-Falih, and representatives of the public and private sectors in the two countries.

The agreements seek to strengthen efforts to promote investments and increase joint projects between Saudi and Kazakh companies.

Tokayev said that during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Royal Court at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah, the two sides agreed to adopt major measures to boost bilateral investments, pointing to the signing of 13 agreements in several fields, which will further advance bilateral trade and technological cooperation.

In his speech, Al-Falih said that the 2050 plan for sustainable development in Kazakhstan was in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, noting that the opening of airlines would increase opportunities for cooperation in trade between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Veterinary Control and Supervision Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture in the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a cooperation agreement in the field of importing beef and sheep meat.

Similarly, the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) and Astana International Exchange signed an agreement of cooperation between the financial market in the two countries.

The forum also witnessed the signing of an investment agreement to support the sports sector, and a cooperation agreement in the media sector, while the Saudi News Agency (SPA) and the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a cooperation agreement in the field of media and news.

For its part, the Ajlan & Brothers Holding Group signed four agreements in the sectors of food, radiochemistry and the transfer of innovative technologies, as well as in the field of exchanging information and experience on trade issues and export promotion, in addition to an investment agreement to establish a sugar syrup production plant in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan.

Al-Rajhi International Investment Company signed an agreement with the National Investment Company of Kazakhstan to boost cooperation between the two parties.

The Saudi ACWA Power Company also signed an investment cooperation agreement with the Kazakh ministry of Energy to boost cooperation in the field of renewable energy.



Saudi Arabia Reports SAR540 Billion in Services Trade with 7% Annual Growth

Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Reports SAR540 Billion in Services Trade with 7% Annual Growth

Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi announced on Wednesday that the Kingdom’s trade in services reached SAR540 billion in 2023, reflecting an annual growth rate of 7%.

Speaking at a panel discussion on Trade in Service at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he underscored the global significance of the services sector, which makes up approximately 65% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), 60% of foreign investments, and serves as the largest provider of jobs worldwide, particularly benefiting women.

He emphasized the need for global collaboration to reduce regulatory and procedural obstacles in the services sector, adding that simplifying these systems would boost competitiveness and alleviate burdens on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), thereby raising their economic contribution.

Al-Kassabi outlined Saudi Arabia’s significant investments in digital infrastructure, including SAR93.7 billion already spent and an additional SAR75 billion allocated for future projects.

The investments, he said, aim to support digital transformation, boost businesses, and attract foreign investments.

The Kingdom has partnered with international organizations to establish legislative frameworks that protect investments and advance human resource development and has created a Center for Distinguished Residence to attract skilled talents, he went on to say.

The World Economic Forum emphasized the critical importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors for the future of trade in services. It highlighted its partnership with the National Competitiveness Center on the Facilitating and Developing Trade in Services initiative, which focuses on key sectors such as information and communications technology (ICT), finance, transportation and logistics services, and mining. The sectors are vital as they underpin all economic activities.