Dr. Majid Abdullah Al-Qasabi, the Minister of Commerce, has arrived in the British capital of London today, leading a distinguished Saudi delegation. The purpose of their visit is to participate in the third meeting of the Economic and Social Committee of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council. During their stay, they will engage in a series of bilateral meetings with government officials and business representatives, with the aim of strengthening bilateral trade in goods and services and further advancing the economic partnership between the two nations.
The Saudi delegation, currently in London until the 8th of June, is composed of officials, including Dr. Eman Habbas Al-Mutairi, the Deputy Minister of Commerce and Executive Director of the National Competitiveness Center. Accompanying her are 45 representatives from 22 government, private, and non-profit entities.
Al-Qasabi is set to meet today with Lord Dominic Johnson, the Minister for Investment, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United Kingdom.
The discussions will revolve around strengthening the economic partnership in priority sectors for both nations, as well as encouraging British companies to expand their presence in the Kingdom. The agenda will also touch upon topics such as promoting and financing innovative startups, leveraging research and innovation, and exploring the British experience in fostering entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, the visit entails meetings with other key figures, including Lord Tariq Mahmood Ahmad, Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa Affairs, Mr. Grant Shapps, Minister of State for Energy Security and Zero Emissions, and Ms. Kemi Badenoch, Minister for Trade and Business. A meeting is also scheduled with Sir Steve Smith, the Special Representative of the Prime Minister for Education, highlighting the significance of educational collaboration in the bilateral relationship.
Al-Qasabi is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with representatives from the British business sector during his visit. Of particular note is his meeting with Mr. Tufan Erginbilgic, the CEO of Rolls-Royce. Additionally, discussions are planned with officials from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). Furthermore, Al-Qasabi will take part in a panel discussion hosted by the Asia House, an esteemed institution focused on facilitating trade between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Al-Qasabi and his accompanying delegation will actively participate in the Saudi-British Business and Trade Partnership Forum, organized by the National Competitiveness Center in collaboration with the Saudi British Joint Business Council and the Federation of Saudi Chambers.
The delegation's agenda also includes on-site visits to specialized educational institutions, such as Dulwich College, and business innovation centers. These visits aim to gain insights into the exceptional practices and experiences in various fields within the United Kingdom.
The delegation comprises representatives from several government entities, including the Ministries of Commerce, Energy, Investment, Education, Culture, Tourism, Municipal and Rural Affairs, Housing, the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the Public Investment Fund, the General Authority for Foreign Trade, the National Competitiveness Center, and the Saudi Center for Economic Business.
The delegation also features representatives from prominent business and non-profit entities, including the Misk Foundation, Roshn Real Estate Group, the Federation of Saudi Chambers, the Saudi British Joint Business Council, Marood Investment Company, Al Fanar Global Development, Centers of Excellence, Malaa FinTech, Leen, and Graphine Ventures.