Majeed Bin Abdul-Aziz for the success of the event was read on his behalf. "Creating a trade system and updating the Arab market for the exploration and utilization of minerals could encourage and help the private sector," he said. On his part, Amr Al-Dabbagh, Governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), said new transport projects worth more than SR50 billion, including a 2,000-km railway expansion project, would boost mining activities in the Kingdom. "SAGIA has given priority to investments in the energy sector and related industries such as mining. We'll do our best to create a suitable atmosphere to attract investments, providing all services required by investors," he said. Al-Dabbagh said the Kingdom was pinning great hopes on the mining sector to make it the "third pillar" of economy after oil and petrochemicals. He expected the sector's contribution to the gross domestic product would cross nine percent. --MORE 1017 Local Time 0717 GMT
