RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar said here that the progressive policies of King Salman have paved the way for Saudi Arabia to be ranked among the top economies of the world.
On behalf of King Salman, the governor was addressing more than 300 delegates at the Riyadh Economic Forum, which was inaugurated the King Faisal Hall in the capital on Monday.
The event sponsored by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), which was held under the patronage of King Salman, is being held for the eighth year in succession.
Prince Faisal said the recent economic reforms introduced in the Kingdom under the wise leadership of King Salman and supported by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, have created a conducive climate for the growth of the Kingdom’s economy.
The theme of the conference was “Plan today for tomorrow’s economy.” The forum is being held during the transformation period in the economic history of the Kingdom.
The three-day forum is expected to address issues such as: Increasing the value by harnessing and stimulating investment in the mineral resources sector; the legislative system related to economic development; measuring and raising the productivity of human resources in the Saudi economy; diagnosing and addressing the current challenges of the private sector to participate in infrastructure investment; and operation and the role of the private
sector in achieving the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030.
Thanking the king and the crown prince, the governor said the leadership has been a great support and a source of inspiration to the success of the Riyadh Economic Forum since the time of its inception. The support, he said, also reflects the government’s trust in the vital role played by the private sector in the economic development of the country and activating its role in facilitating the economic reforms and development goals embodied in Vision 2030.
The governor pointed out that the forum will provide a venue for participants to explore ways and means to overcome the challenges in the march toward economic development. He also pointed out that the Kingdom is undergoing a period of effective economic reforms by diversifying its economy, which will eventually achieve its goals by developing its natural and human resources.
RCCI President Ahmed Al-Rajihi said that the idea of the forum is to coordinate the public and private sector to develop the economy of the country through diversified fields.
Saad Al-Moajill, who was the architect of the Riyadh Economic Forum was honored by the governor.
During the first session of the forum, a study on the mineral resources and investments was chaired by Dr. Abdullah Al- Dabbagh, adviser to the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources.
The session, which was moderated by Matar Al-Harthy, director of metal business strategies at SABIC, also included panelists Saleh Al-Falih, and members of the board of directors of Al-Kifah Holding Company.
