Saudi Private Sector Seeks to Expand Business with Arab, Chinese Companies

Photo of the Investment between Saudi Arabia and China workshop, which was recently held in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Investment between Saudi Arabia and China workshop, which was recently held in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Private Sector Seeks to Expand Business with Arab, Chinese Companies

Photo of the Investment between Saudi Arabia and China workshop, which was recently held in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Investment between Saudi Arabia and China workshop, which was recently held in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi private sector is intensifying efforts to maximize the benefits of the Arab-China Business Conference, which will be held next week in Riyadh.

 

The volume of trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and China is witnessing a remarkable growth, reaching SAR 1.2 trillion ($320 billion) over the past five years.

 

These figures reflect the strength and durability of the strategic economic partnership and the diversity of investment opportunities in both countries.

 

According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, the Federation of Saudi Chambers has called on the private sector to participate in the conference in order to benefit from opportunities to strengthen economic and trade relations and develop investments between China and Arab countries.

 

Riyadh is scheduled to host the 10th edition of the Arab-China Business Conference on June 11-12.

 

The conference will be held under the theme, Cooperation for Prosperity, and aims to support and strengthen the economic, trade and investment partnership between China and the Arab countries, in a step towards reaching solutions that take into account common interests through strategic cooperation.

 

The conference will provide a space for research and discussion among a group of forward-thinking executives, business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs.

 

According to a report recently issued by the Federation of Saudi Chambers, Saudi-Chinese economic relations are witnessing growth and promising prospects in light of the supportive political will. This provides wide opportunities for economic cooperation and commercial and investment partnerships between the business sectors of the two countries.

 

The report highlighted the bilateral economic relations, which represent an international model for constructive fruitful cooperation and strategic partnership, thanks to their reliance on a solid base of institutional and regulatory frameworks represented by the Saudi-Chinese joint committee, Vision 2030 and the Belt and Road initiative, as well as the Saudi-Chinese Business Council.

 

The report also shed light on the opportunities for economic integration between the Kingdom and China, in light of the Chinese Belt and Silk Road initiative, which is consistent in many aspects with Vision 2030.

 

China exports a number of products and commodities to Saudi Arabia, including electrical equipment, heavy machinery, furniture, vehicles, clothing, plastics, iron and steel, ceramic products, rubber, ready-made construction equipment, and other goods.

 

Oil, chemical industries, plastics and their products, and rubber are the most important Saudi commodities exported to China.

 



GCC States’ GDP Projected to Reach $6 Trillion in 2025

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
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GCC States’ GDP Projected to Reach $6 Trillion in 2025

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that GCC countries hold a significant economic status globally, with the GDP reaching approximately USD2.1 trillion in 2023.

AlBudaiwi projected the GDP of GCC countries will reach $6 trillion by 2025.

The Secretary-General’s remarks came as he participated in the Gulf dialogue session, held as part of the Asian Financial Forum 2025 sessions in Hong Kong, with the participation of the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and a number of senior economic officials from the GCC countries.

The total sovereign financial assets in the GCC countries amounted to around $3.2 trillion, accounting for 33% of the total sovereign assets worldwide, Albudaiwi added.

Albudaiwi highlighted that the GCC countries hold the top global ranking in crude oil reserves and production, and also lead in natural gas reserves, while ranking third globally in natural gas production.

He underscored that the GCC’s balanced policies have contributed to the stability of energy markets by providing secure and stable supplies of oil and gas to global markets.

The Secretary-General mentioned that the GCC's significant economic potential creates numerous opportunities for cooperation with Hong Kong, a leading Asian financial center.