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| Dignitaries at Nigeria’s 63rd independence day anniversary function in Riyadh. (AN Photo) |
The long-term objectives of Saudi Tourism encompass the diversification of investments to augment revenue streams, optimize financial efficiency, and bolster sustainability.
The Shura Council convened Its forty-fourth ordinary session
of the fourth year of the eighth session yesterday, chaired by the Deputy
Chairman of the Council, Dr. Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Sulami. The Council reviewed
the ”genda and made the necessary decisions regarding the items it contained,
including Hajj and Umrah affairs..
To ensure a seamless travel experience for pilgrims and
promote tourism, the Shura Council has made a significant decision. They have
called upon the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to collaborate with relevant
authorities to expand the establishment of care centers for pilgrims at arrival
ports. This decision emphasizes the importance of allocating suitable locations
for these centers and implementing effective indicators to measure pilgrims’
satisfaction with the services provided. Furthermore, the Council has adopted
an additional recommendation presented by Council member Dr. Abdullah
Al-Wagdani within this decision.
The Shura Council recommended that Al-Baha University, in
collaboration with pertinent entities, prioritize the development of
specialized and innovative academic programs in the fields of tourism and
agriculture.
Enhancing Synergies between Arab and Japanese Entities
Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit
emphasized the importance of expanding the Arab-Japanese partnership and
transforming it into a future strategic alliance with tangible outcomes across
various sectors.
In his address at the fifth Japan-Arab Economic Forum held
in Tokyo, Aboul Gheit advocated for the broadening of cooperative frameworks to
incorporate novel domains. These domains encompass the promotion of tourism,
the utilization of technology to confront climate change, the mitigation of
disaster risks, the advancement of intelligent transportation systems, the
safeguarding of information security, the progression of artificial
intelligence, the development of smart housing solutions, and the enhancement
of education.
These areas provide promising investment and collaboration
opportunities for both parties. Mr. Aboul Gheit emphasized that Japan continues
to be a vital partner for Arab nations, with bilateral trade growing from $114
billion in 2022 to almost $140 billion since the beginning of 2024.
Establishment of the Saudi-Nigerian Business Council
The Federation of Saudi Chambers is pleased to announce the
establishment of the Saudi-Nigerian Business Council. The inaugural meeting
(1445-1449) designated Sultan bin Mahdi Al-Qahtani as Chairman, with Sultan bin
Khalid Al-Turki and Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais serving as Vice Presidents.
The Chairman of the Saudi-Nigerian Business Council, Sultan
Al-Qahtani, recently highlighted Nigeria’s significant economic standing in
Africa, with a substantial GDP of approximately $477 billion in 2022. This
development aligns with the Kingdom’s strategic objective of fostering stronger
economic ties with African nations, actively seeking lucrative investment
opportunities and expanding into new markets.
Al-Qahtani clarified that the trade volume between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Nigeria currently stands at approximately 1.5 billion riyals. He stressed the significance of intensifying efforts and enhancing awareness of opportunities and markets in both countries. In particular, he highlighted Nigeria’s promising potential in various sectors, including tourism, transportation, services, logistics, finance, technology, education, healthcare, industry, and mining.