Great Futures Initiative Conference Concludes, Underscores Saudi-British Partnership
The Great Futures Initiative Conference concluded today at the King Abdullah Financial District.
The conference saw the participation of 200 Saudi and British economic stakeholders and experts, including United Kingdom (UK) Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, who was accompanied by four other ministers, in addition to ten Saudi ministers.
Minister of Commerce and Chairman Economic and Social Committee of the Saudi-UK Strategic Partnership Council Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi explained that the conference came according to the vision of the council, which is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to enhance and expand economic partnership between the two friendly countries.
He added that more than 20 bilateral ministerial meetings, 50 panel sessions with the participation of 130 speakers were held during the two-day conference, where 13 agreements were signed and 10 workshops were organized with the participation of 400 people on initiatives related to the work of the Economic and Social Committee in 13 economic sectors, including tourism, culture, education, health, sports, investment, trade, and financial services.
He also said that the conference achieved the goal of strengthening Saudi-British economic relations, and that the large turnout and number of participants in the conference gives an indication of the positive impact that would contribute to the development of trade and joint investment.
The minister said that about 70% of the participating British delegation were making their first visit to the Kingdom. He said the Kingdom is the ideal place for investment and doing business as a result of diverse available opportunities, the transformations taking place in the Saudi economy, and its focus on emerging, promising, and high-growth sectors.
UK Minister for Business and Trade Lord Dominic Johnson said that the conference was an opportunity for communication for the business sectors in the two countries, underlying solid British-Saudi economic relations and the massive opportunities their economies have.
The Great Futures Initiative will continue its activities over the next 12 months and will witness the participation of the most creative and innovative companies in the UK to enhance partnership in promising and emerging sectors.
