Saudi FSC Chief: Private Sector Keen to Utilize Available Opportunities to Boost Trade with Cuba

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi FSC Chief: Private Sector Keen to Utilize Available Opportunities to Boost Trade with Cuba

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) Hassan bin Mujib Al-Huwaizi said the private sector looks forward to boosting trade between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Cuba in light of the available opportunities, SPA said on Saturday.
Huwaizi expressed optimism about a promising future for trade and investment between the two countries as he met in Riyadh on Friday with Cuban Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Ricardo Cabrisas.
Cabrisas is on a visit to the Kingdom heading a delegation of government officials.
Huwaizi underscored the Saudi-Cuban determination to upgrade economic relations between the two countries, highlighting the important role of the Saudi and Cuban business sectors in advancing the path of economic cooperation.
Cabrisas noted the great incentives and protection that the Cuban investment act provides for foreign investors.
He added that discussions are underway with Saudi officials about banking cooperation and agreements to enhance investment between the two countries.
Trade exchange between the Kingdom and Cuba hit US$97 million in 2022, up by 190 percent from 2021.



Biden Pledges Record $4 bln US Contribution to World Bank Fund for Poorest Countries

The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)
The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)
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Biden Pledges Record $4 bln US Contribution to World Bank Fund for Poorest Countries

The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)
The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)

US President Joe Biden has pledged a $4 billion US contribution to the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) fund for the world's poorest countries, two sources with knowledge of the commitment said on Monday, Reuters reported.

Biden announced the US pledge during a closed session during the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The amount is a record and substantially exceeds the $3.5 billion that Washington committed in the previous IDA replenishment round in December 2021.