Category: General

Riyadh, The Made in Saudi program is participating in the 17th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States Trade Fair, which is organized at the Dakar International Exchange Center (CIED) between June 13 and 19 under the theme: “Facilitate Intra-OIC Trade: Which Tools for the Development of Trade Exchanges?”.

The Made in Saudi program’s participation in this international trade event highlights keenness to implement its strategy that believes that regional and international trade fairs are a window for national companies to reach global markets and help them find real opportunities to develop national exports through multiple tools and channels, in addition to the fact that this international event is considered the biggest Islamic trade event for businesspeople from the public and private sectors, trade, investment, promotion agencies and vocational institutions working in several economic fields, where this fair is organized every two years with wide participations of Arab, Islamic and global companies.

This event is considered a platform to display goods and services and to hold strategic partnerships, where participants from around 57 Islamic nations will be able to activate necessary ways to increase trade exchange, review expertise, experiments and practices, and explore commercial development aspects under the umbrella of OIC.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is among the biggest and most important countries supporting the efforts of the Republic of Senegal, and constantly contributes to funding development projects in various fields and sectors in the African country, where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the Saudi Fund for Development, has offered 27 loans and 4 grants for development projects with a total value of SAR17.5 billion.

The trade exchange volume between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Senegal in 2021 stood at USD50 million, including USD49 million as Saudi exports, USD42 million of which were non-oil exports. In a bid to enhance trade exchange, the two countries encourage their private sectors to benefit from available opportunities and capabilities to engage in successful commercial and investment companies.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Cairo, The Arab Group of Experts on Counter-Terrorism concluded its extraordinary meeting at the headquarters of the Arab League with the participation of experts from the ministries of justice, interior, defense and foreign affairs in the Arab states to consider and develop joint Arab action in combating terrorism for its being a dangerous scourge.

Director of the Legal Department at the Presidency of State Security Major General Salah Al-Jutaili headed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the meeting.

Top recommendations of the meeting included the constant development of the group with increasing workshops concerned with counter-terrorism efforts in Arab states, and preparing strategies among Arab ministers of interior and justice with activating the agreements on anti-money laundering, financing terrorism, and combating terrorism in a joint manner.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, The Saudi Judicial Training Center has held a graduation ceremony for 533 trainees, attended by Justice Minister Walid Al-Samaani and a number of officials and judges.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Faris al-Qarni, the center’s director, said that “the Judicial Training Center is proud of its role in developing the legal system and improving the proficiency of legal practitioners. This is achieved by planning and implementing advanced training programs and enabling partners through a knowledge framework and governing standards.”

Al-Qarni added that the center aims to become a pioneering reference to contribute effectively to the justice system, upgrade training practices, and enhance institutional procedures.

He also noted that the center accomplished a lot by developing first-rate qualification programs and issuing skill-building legal publications such as tools for interpreting legal texts and a guide to training management.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

NEOM, NEOM today awarded drill and blast tunneling contracts for work on the region’s infrastructure, which is considered one of the world’s largest transportation and utility infrastructure projects, and it is an essential element in ensuring NEOM continues to meet its development schedule.

Two joint venture groups will undertake the project, which is separated by lower and upper geographies, with the first contract awarded to FCC Construction SA/China State Construction Engineering Corporation/Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting Company Joint Venture (FCC/CSCEC/SAJCO JV), and the second to Samsung C&T Corporation /Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd/Saudi Archirodon Company Ltd Joint Venture (SHAJV).

The tunnels work will provide over 28 kilometers in length and provide separate tunnels for high-speed and freight rail services – making the movement of people and goods faster, safer and easier.

The rock excavated as part of this tunneling project will be processed for subsequent reuse within the permanent concrete lining of the tunnels and other projects within NEOM to ensure minimal impact to natural landscapes.

Commenting on the contract awards, Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, said: “Today marks yet another significant milestone for NEOM. The sheer scope and scale of the tunneling work to be undertaken highlights the complexity and ambition of the project. We are moving forward to achieve NEOM’s vision of the new future, which has been established by His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Chairman of the NEOM Company Board of Directors. At NEOM, we are inspiring a new way of living, making seamless mobility possible, reducing emissions and protecting our environment. We are not only making a giant leap for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but we are also establishing a model for sustainable living around the world.”

NEOM is addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Global partners are joining hands with NEOM to pioneer solutions and breakthrough innovations.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Geneva, Secretary General of Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa disclosed the determination of his organization to launch an international prize in recognition of the most important efforts in the service of humanitarian action.

Al-Issa made the announcement while participating as a guest of honor at the high-level forum hosted in Geneva under the theme “cooperation among international organizations in humanitarian fields” gathering heads of the world’s largest organizations in the field of humanitarian action.

Addressing the gathering, Al-Issa urged the rich to help alleviate the sufferings of the poors and the vulnerable.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Makkah, The first batch of pilgrims, comprising 290 pilgrims from the Republic of Turkey, yesterday arrived in Makkah for this year’s Hajj season.

Turkish Consul General in Jeddah Mete Zaimoglu praised the level of services presented to pilgrims from the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which allow them to perform Hajj easily, referring to the qualitative services and projects that Makkah, Madinah and holy sites witness year after year.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Khartoum, Sudan has welcomed the announcement by Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for Yemen Hans Grundberg of the Yemeni parties’ approval to extend the truce in Yemen for two additional months.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry, in a statement today, noted that it is following with interest the course of events in Yemen and that it always calls for ending the Yemeni crisis and reaching a comprehensive political solution.

The ministry praised the efforts of Grundberg and his perseverance in maintaining the UN truce and his success in extending the truce, commending the diplomatic initiatives of regional countries, mainly those by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Oman’s host of dialogue among warring parties.

The ministry also stressed the need to work for having a permanent truce that can be a cause for providing grounds to embark on a political process and reach a comprehensive peace that realizes security and stability in Yemen.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, has sent a cable of congratulations to Prime Minister Robert Golob of the Republic of Slovenia on the occasion of forming a new government under his chairmanship and winning parliament confidence.

In his cable, HRH Crown Prince wished the Prime Minister best health and every success and the friendly people of Slovenia steady progress and prosperity.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Brussels, The Saudi side of the Saudi-Belgian Parliamentary Friendship Committee, headed by Dr. Ayman bin Saleh Fadel, met here today with Director General of Bilateral Relations at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jeroen Cooreman, on the sidelines of the committee’s visit to the European Parliament.

During the meeting, Dr. Fadel stressed the importance of strengthening joint bilateral action, which contributes to strengthening and deepening bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Belgium, and increasing communication and bilateral work between them.

For his part, Cooreman praised Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the goals it seeks to achieve, stressing the importance of the country’s position at the Islamic and GCC levels, looking at the same time to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, in various fields, especially increasing the economic cooperation.

They also reviewed a number of topics related to renewable energy, reducing emissions and preserving the environment as well as many topics in the international and regional arena, and ways to enhance tourism cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries at all levels and in various fields, especially parliamentary relations between the Shura Council and the Belgian Federal Parliament, to contribute to raising the level of joint cooperation between them.

On the other hand, the Saudi side in the Saudi-Belgian committee met, during the visit, with the director of the Royal Institute of International Relations (Egmont) in Belgium Hugues Chantry, and a number of officials at the institute. They tackled digital transformation and cybersecurity as well as the Saudi humanitarian efforts in Yemen.

The institute reviewed the efforts it provides in the field of education and training in international relations, and gave an overview of the studies and research that it presented on many international and regional issues.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, Secretary General of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHFS), Dr. Aws Al-Shamsan, met in his office today with the Mauritanian Minister of Health, Dr. Mokhtar Ould Dahi, and the accompanying delegation, where the two sides discussed aspects of cooperation in various fields of common interest.

Al-Shamsan reviewed SCHFS’s mission and responsibilities in achieving safe professional practice and touched on the areas of classification and professional registration, and training processes for graduate programs of the Saudi Specialty Certificate.

For his part, the Mauritanian Minister valued the SCHFS’s efforts in serving the health sector in the Kingdom.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Kigali, Rwanda, A delegation from the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) concluded the organization’s inaugural visit to Rwandaby announcing the DCO Global Roundtable Series, an initiative that will bring together global digital economy leaders to develop an action plan for digital prosperity for all.

During her participation at the World Telecommunications Development Conference, DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya announced the DCO’s pledge to hold the DCO Global Roundtable Series across five continents, with the first edition of the series commencing on the African continent in Kigali. The event included more than thirty-five government, international organization and private sector leaders, discussing challenges to emerging market growth, and best-practice collaboration between governments, the private sector and civil society.

The inaugural Roundtable began with a discussion between Rwanda’s Minister of ICT Paula Ingabire, who hosted the DCO delegation, and the Secretary-General.

Deemah AlYahya commenced the inaugural roundtable event by stating: “Talking about digital economy issues is no longer something new. We must develop action plans and a roadmap to create an impact for people, and this is indeed what the DCO is doing. We are bringing together people who share the same responsibility, to translate their vision into on the ground change that advances the development of the digital economy of their countries.”

The minister commented: “I am delighted to welcome the DCO to Kigali this week, and to share with them our pioneering achievements in the digital economy and ICT sector more generally. Since joining the DCO six months ago, Rwanda has played a pivotal role in the organization and we look forward to our continued membership of the wider DCO ecosystem as we shape a future in which all members of society can harness the power of the digital economy.”

Along the side lines of WTDC, the DCO also met with Minister of Communications in Ghana Usula Owusu, where AlYahya and Minister Owusu discussed Ghana’s inspiring perspective on digital prosperity for all.

Secretary-General AlYahya also met with the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies of South Africa, Khumbudzo Ntshaveheni, where they discussed their mutual efforts in enabling digital prosperity for all.

While in Rwanda, the DCO also met with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta, as well as hosting entrepreneurs across the Rwandan ecosystem at Norrsken House.The DCO further met with the Bank of Kigali, kLab Rwanda, and Rwanda’s Information Society Authority.

Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya also delivered an address to the Carnegie Mellon University Africa, the African Leadership University and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences.

Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SmartAfrica, the alliance representing more than 30 African countries on their journey towards digital socioeconomic development and which is chaired by the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame.

The agreement reaffirms the two organization’s shared commitment to promoting digital prosperity in their respective member states.

The DCO is a global multilateral organization founded in November 2020 that aims to enable digital prosperity for all by accelerating the inclusive growth of the digital economy. The DCO brings together the Ministries of Communications and IT of 10 nations – Bahrain, Djibouti, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Jordan, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia – that collectively represent nearly $2 trillion in GDP and a market of nearly 600 billion people, more than 70% of whom are under the age of 35.

The DCO is focused on empowering youth, women and entrepreneurs, leveraging the accelerative power of the digital economy and leapfrogging with innovation to drive economic growth and increase social prosperity.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, An Interior Ministry official source stated that, based on the follow-up to the epidemiological situation of the Coronavirus pandemic, the competent health authorities’ recommendations, the gains achieved in combating the pandemic, the unlimited support of the Saudi leadership, and the concerted effective national efforts, and progress in the national vaccination program and the high rates of immunization and immunity against the virus in the community, it has been decided to lift the precautionary and preventive measures related to combating the Coronavirus pandemic, as per the following:

First: Not requiring masks to be worn in closed places, except the Grand Holy Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque, and places for which protocols are issued by the Public Health Authority “Weqaya”, or the facilities, activities, events, and means of public transportation that wish to apply higher levels of protection by maintaining the condition of wearing masks for entry, while continuing to raise awareness and urging the public to continue wearing masks.

Second: Immunization and health verification via “Tawakkalna” are no longer required to enter facilities, activities, events, board planes, and public transportation, except for those whose nature requires immunization or continuing to verify health status per the Public Health Authority “Weqaya”, or facilities, activities, events, and means of transportation that wish to implement higher levels of protection by continuing to require immunization or to verify the health status before entry into their facilities.

Third: The duration of the requirement to take the (third) booster dose of the (Covid-19) vaccine for citizens who wish to travel abroad is (eight) months instead of (three) months from receiving the second dose, except for age groups specified or excluded by the Health Ministry and as per their status in the Tawakkalna application.

The source stressed the importance of maintaining the implementation of the national plan for immunization, including taking the approved booster doses of the vaccine, adding that the aforementioned measures are subject to continuous evaluation by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, per the developments of the epidemiological situation.

Source: Saudi Press Agency