Commerce Minister, Dr. Majid Abdullah Al-Qasabi, engaged in a series of high-level meetings with British ministers and top executives of major UK companies, with the aim of bolstering bilateral trade in products and services and strengthening the economic partnership between the two friendly nations.
Participating in the meetings were 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, and Her Excellency Dr. Iman Habbas Al-Mutairi, Deputy Minister of Commerce and CEO of the National Competitiveness Center.
During the visit, Al-Qasabi met with five distinguished ministers in the United Kingdom, including the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for International Trade, Kemi Badenoch, the Minister for Investment, Lord Dominic Johnson, the Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Lord Tariq Mahmood Ahmad, and the Minister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb. Additionally, he held meetings with the Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Viscount Camrose, the Prime Minister's Business and Investment Advisor, Franck Petitgas, the Special Representative of the Prime Minister for Education, Sir Steve Smith, and the CEO of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, Matt Gantley.
The meetings delved into the strategies and programs of Vision 2030, which aim to enhance business opportunities and foster high-quality investments between the two allied nations. Moreover, they focused on encouraging British companies to expand their presence in the Kingdom, supporting and financing innovative startups in research-driven fields, and exchanging insights on the British experience in promoting entrepreneurial ventures.
Al-Qasabi held 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. He took part in a panel discussion hosted by the Asia House, an esteemed institution focused on facilitating trade between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
The itinerary featured a visit to Dulwich College, aiming to explore Britain's exemplary practices and experiences in education.
The visit also witnessed the third session of the Economic and Social Committee of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council.
A delegation comprising 45 officials from 22 governmental, non-profit, and private entities actively engaged in the Saudi-British Business Partnership Forum, a collaborative event organized by the National Competitiveness Center, the Saudi-British Joint Business Council, and the Federation of Saudi Chambers.
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.