Saudi Arabia Hosts High-Level Discussion on E-Commerce, Sustainable Development
The Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva convened a high-level panel titled 'The Role of E-Commerce Policy for Sustainable Economic Development' . The event took place alongside the 8th session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-commerce and the Digital Economy, hosted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The panel explored how Saudi Arabia's ongoing economic reforms and modernization of infrastructure have fueled the expansion of e-commerce and the digital economy, emphasizing their role in promoting sustainable development.
In conjunction with the event, Saudi Arabia—represented by the National Competitiveness Center—signed a cooperation agreement with UNCTAD. The agreement focuses on measuring key indicators related to e-commerce and the digital economy, aiming to inform effective public policy and bolster the Kingdom's competitiveness in the digital sector.
Related Topics :
Saudi Arabia Participates at G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting in Brazil
Saudi Arabia's digital transformation journey… Superior services and advanced global centers
Min. of Communications Launches Programs in Generative AI, Self-Employment
Mohammed bin Salman to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Don't Want War but We Won't Hesitate in Dealing with Any Threat
Short link :
Post Views: 4 Related Stories
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Al Arabiya
Rubio, Prince Faisal discuss Middle East developments in phone call
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed regional developments in a phone call on Monday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said. According to a readout, the call also touched on bilateral ties between Washington and Riyadh and the strategic partnership between the two. The US and Saudi Arabia have been working closely on several files as ties between the two have improved since the Trump administration took office. Joint efforts have seen a potential nuclear standoff between India and Pakistan averted, and the two countries have also worked on de-escalating fighting between Russia and Ukraine as well as the fighting in Sudan. US President Donald Trump made his first official state visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this year. His first phone call with a foreign leader after taking office was with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Opens Direct Communication Channel with Businesses to Overcome Investment Hurdles
Asharq Al-Awsat learned that Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment is launching a new service to strengthen its relationship with national businesses by providing them with direct access to a suite of investment-related services. The initiative will assign each company a dedicated relationship manager, who will serve as the main point of contact to streamline access to government programs and services. These include the Strategic Investor initiative, the enhanced services program 'Meyza,' the Alignment Platform, and various services offered by government entities at the Business Center. The move is part of the Kingdom's broader effort to create a more dynamic and investor-friendly environment as outlined in the National Investment Strategy, launched in 2021 by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The strategy targets more than SAR 12 trillion ($3.2 trillion) in investments into the local economy by 2030. This includes SAR 5 trillion through the Shareek program, SAR 3 trillion in local investments by the Public Investment Fund, and SAR 4 trillion in contributions from domestic and international companies operating under the strategy's framework. The ministry has notified private sector companies that the new service will also serve as a platform to receive feedback, suggestions, and observations regarding regulations, business procedures, and related challenges. Additionally, businesses will receive invitations to take part in relevant events organized by the Ministry. The initiative reflects the Ministry's responsibility to manage Saudi Arabia's investment environment, provide facilitation and support for investors, and elevate the competitiveness of the Kingdom's economy. Efforts focus on expanding operational scope, boosting competitiveness, and removing barriers that hinder business performance. In the first quarter of 2025, the ministry reported significant progress, including the issuance of 44 regional headquarters licenses, resolution of 38 investor-related challenges, and the processing of over 1,000 investor visa services. More than 55,000 digital services were also delivered through the Ministry's website. In parallel with these operational upgrades, the ministry is actively pursuing legislative and regulatory reforms to foster a secure and competitive investment climate. One major development has been the establishment of the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority, which coordinates public and private efforts to position the Kingdom as a leading global investment destination. Recent legal reforms include the implementation of new executive regulations for the commercial registry system. Under these changes, businesses now operate under a single commercial license for all their activities across the Kingdom, eliminating the need for sub-licenses and reducing financial burdens. Additionally, new regulations for commercial names aim to streamline the name reservation and registration process, enhance their value, and ensure proper legal protection. The Ministry of Commerce has also introduced a mechanism to allow existing businesses to regularize their trade names in line with the updated regulations.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Italy-KSA: A strategic partnership where heritage meets modernity
As Italy on Monday celebrates the 79th anniversary of the foundation of the republic, which brought democracy, freedom and economic development after the horrors of two world wars, I would like to take a moment to look into the remarkable progress already achieved in the first part of this year in the bilateral relationship between Italy and Saudi Arabia. In 2025, our two countries achieved a milestone in their relationship by upgrading it to the level of a strategic partnership. The historic visit to the Kingdom of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the end of January ushered in a new phase for our two countries. As ambassador, I had the privilege to prepare the visit and assist my prime minister during this landmark mission. In the Royal Camp of AlUla, in a traditional Saudi desert tent, I witnessed two leaders discussing extensively and with passion not only the present but also, most notably, the future. Our diplomatic relationship is an old and very solid one, as it dates back to 1932. But it is also projected into the future, as our two leaders fully understood: Italy and Saudi Arabia have much to gain from seizing common opportunities and addressing common challenges together. First, let me dwell on the people-to-people relations, which are the basis for a stronger and more mature strategic partnership. The Italian community in the Kingdom is growing, in parallel with the number of Saudi citizens visiting and doing business in Italy. We are indeed popular destinations for each other. I believe our peoples share many aspects of a broader Mediterranean heritage and therefore many values and habits are absolutely the same in the Kingdom and in Italy. This makes our citizens feel at home in both countries. Politically, our governments are fully committed to the principles of de-escalation, stabilization and development of the Middle East and North Africa region. We look through the same lens at regional dynamics and we are working more and more closely on different dossiers. Italy, which is at the center of the Mediterranean Sea and is a natural bridge between Europe and the Arab world, has a key interest in a prosperous region and fully supports the Kingdom's positive agenda in this regard. Italy and Saudi Arabia have much to gain from seizing common opportunities and challenges together. Carlo Baldocci The deep and accelerated reform process the Kingdom is undergoing also has the potential to have a positive effect on the whole region, prioritizing integration and development. Our economies are complementary and Italy is very well placed to continue to contribute to the implementation of Vision 2030, which is now very familiar to Italian stakeholders and public opinion. We will continue to work with our Saudi counterparts with the spirit of partnership that is an integral part of the Italian DNA abroad. We support the Kingdom in achieving its objectives, through joint ventures and joint industrial policies. This is the key ingredient for a sustainable partnership, as it will enable our two countries to grow together and get stronger together, through exchanges of know-how, technology transfer and the cross-fertilization of our respective capacities. During the January visit of PM Meloni, a high-level roundtable took place in the iconic location of Maraya. With the marvels of AlUla as a backdrop, we celebrated Saudi heritage — a powerful message on how the Kingdom's transformation is deeply anchored in its rich heritage and identity. The beautiful and Italian-designed Maraya concert hall reminded us that our tradition is inevitably a work in progress, which can benefit from our cooperation and is enriched every day by both creativity and technology. Key representatives from both countries were present in Maraya and signed a significant number of agreements, not only business deals but also very relevant initiatives in the arts, with archeology, restoration and design as the map of our desire to share and experiment with our capacities. That event and that spirit, I believe, symbolize very well the essence of our strategic partnership, where heritage meets modernity and where our respective roots will guide us into a more prosperous future.
