A panel discussion titled "the Kingdom Vision 2030 and Initiative of Belt Road ... Together for A Promising Near Future" was held on the sidelines of the Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, visit here. Dr. Majid Al-Qassabi, minister of commerce and investment; Dr. Mohammed Al-Suwail, minister of communications and information technology; Dr. Adel Al-Turaifi, minister of culture and information; Khalid Al-Falih, minister of energy, industry and mineral resources, and Yasir Al-Rumayan, managing director of the Public Investment Fund, participated in the panel discussion. The minister of commerce and investment, at the outset, highlighted to Chinese companies the available investment opportunities in the Kingdom. He added that the natural resources in the Kingdom as well as the Kingdom's geographical location and the Chinese economic clout provide great economic and investment opportunities for the Chinese companies. Dr. Al-Qassabi said Saudi Arabia is keen to encourage industry of local product. Minister of Communications and Information Technology Al-Suwail spoke about the great progress made in the communications and information technology field in the Kingdom as well as setting out the ministry's aims in accordance with the Kingdom Vision 2030, and promising opportunities in the sector for foreign investment. "The overall shape of the sector of communications and information technology in the Kingdom depends on four key players, including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Communications and Information Technology Commission, the companies executing the work and the Saudi Post," he said. He added that 60% of the Saudi population represents the youth category, while stressing that the Saudis working in the sector represent 20% while 80% are non-Saudis. He revealed the ministry held meetings with regional and international companies, including a Chinese company for training the Saudi youth in the field of communications and information technology, and hoped that the meetings would yield fruits. Minister of Culture and Information Al-Turaifi, meanwhile, lauded the keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman in supporting and enhancing bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and China in all fields, pointing out that King Salman respects the Chinese people and its culture. "I'm glad to be amongst them in this forum, and I do highly respect the Chinese people. We know that China is a land of wisdom, and I've got the opportunity to visit the Chinese museum and have been briefed on the Chinese heritage," Al-Turaifi said. "In my capacity as the minister of culture and information, I also serve as a member of the Political and Security Affairs Council in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I'm also a member of the Economic and Development Affairs Council. Therefore, I have experience in security and political spheres as well as promoting the cultural side," he added. The minister stressed that "I have learned from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who devoted much of his time reading. This has pushed me a lot to follow suit. I remembered that, as the King is known, in the Arab world, as the friend of journalists. I remembered it because I know the large volume of books on China that have been read by the King and I know much he respects the Chinese people and the Chinese culture." Al-Turaifi added the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince have directed us to introduce "the Kingdom's Vision 2030" to the Chinese during the visit of the Deputy Crown Prince. Al-Turaifi disclosed that the accompanying ministers have sought to introduce the vision to the Chinese side and explained that economy, politics, charity and development are all linked together. He highlighted the successful outcome of the Deputy Crown Prince's visit to China following the high-profile meetings with Chinese officials and signing of agreements and memoranda of understating between the two countries in all fields. He considered the Belt and Road Initiative as one of the main support of Kingdom Vision 2030. He expressed keenness on enhancing cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and China in order to achieve more convergence between the two friendly peoples. He added that there are efforts to present the Chinese culture to the Saudi society and the Saudi culture to the Chinese society. "In this regard, the Saudi Press Agency has launched a Chinese-language website six months ago. Among things that we have done, at this visit, was holding meetings with Chinese officials and signing memorandums of understanding, with Chinese side. Our goal is to bring Saudi and Chinese peoples closer and to increase the level of tourism between the two countries," Al-Turaifi said, Regarding Kingdom's foreign investments, Managing Director of the Public Investment Fund Yasir Al-Rumayan said "We have discussed many investment opportunities with the Chinese companies in the fields of infrastructure, construction, advanced technology and others." He said there are great investment opportunities for the Chinese companies in the Kingdom, pointing out that there are multi-partnerships among the Saudi and Chinese companies as well as joint investment at the international level. Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih talked about importance of the Deputy Crown Prince visit to China while lauding the Saudi-Chinese strategic relations, particularly in the field of energy. Al-Falih added Saudi Arabia and China have signed a number of agreements in the field of energy. He added that connection between the two countries provides more investment opportunities, highlighting the Kingdom Vision 2030. He pointed out the investment opportunities are there in infrastructure, industries, technology and development sectors. — SG/SPA
