Riyadh, May 12, 2024, Riyadh is scheduled to host the GREAT Futures Initiative Conference on Tuesday, with the participation of British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, seven British ministers, and several Saudi ministers, along with 800 participants from the public and private sectors of both countries. The aim of the event is to enhance economic relations between the two sides in various promising sectors and to develop mutual trade and investment.
The two-day conference, to be held at the King Abdullah Financial District, is one of the initiatives of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The conference will feature 47 sessions and workshops with 127 speakers from both public and private sectors, covering 13 promising economic sectors, including tourism, culture, education, health, sports, investment, trade, and financial services, in addition to signing six agreements in the fields of education and training, tourism, and real estate development.
Dowden said: "The GREAT Futures Initiative Conference is an important opportunity to build partnerships between the business sectors of both countries, keeping pace with the future, innovation, and creativity. It also allows British companies to familiarize themselves with relevant business regulations, incentives, and advantages for conducting business in Saudi Arabia."
Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi stressed that the conference is an opportunity to enhance cooperation and economic partnership in 13 vital and promising sectors. He also highlighted that it paves the way for extensive partnerships focusing on innovation and creativity in sectors of mutual interest.
He noted that the conference serves as an important forum for exchanging qualitative experiences and learning about the latest practices in priority and promising sectors, with 47 panel discussions and workshops featuring 127 speakers from the public and private sectors of the two countries. It also enhances the volume of bilateral trade, which stood at some SAR82 billion last year.
The accompanying events for the initiative will be held over a period of 12 months, with the participation of the most innovative and creative companies in the UK to boost partnerships in promising and emerging sectors.
