Day: September 22, 2024

The State of Qatar participated on Sunday in the preparatory meeting of the Joint Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee on Developments in Gaza, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York.

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi chaired the State of Qatar’s delegation at the meeting.

In continuation of the efforts of previous meetings, the ministers discussed the developments in the Gaza Strip and the region, the efforts made to stop the Israeli aggression against the people of Gaza, and the dangerous escalation in the West Bank and Lebanon.

The meeting also discussed the ongoing preparations for the ministerial meeting on the situation in Gaza and the implementation of the two-state solution as a way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, which the committee will host alongside the European Union and Norway this week.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed 211 food baskets in Al-Mawasit district of the Yemeni Taiz Governorate yesterday.

The aid benefited 1,244 individuals among the most vulnerable groups affected by floods and rainfall. It is part of the 2024 food aid distribution project for affected populations in Yemen. This initiative is part of a series of relief and humanitarian projects provided by the Kingdom through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, aimed at alleviating the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis and achieving food security.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Doha: HH the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani sent a cable of condolences to HE President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian on the victims of a coal mine explosion in the east of the country, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has distributed 840 food baskets in Kassala State, Republic of Sudan, benefiting 4,862 individuals. This distribution is part of the second phase of the food security support project in Sudan for 2024.

This initiative is part of the relief and humanitarian assistance provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief, which aims to achieve food security and alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)’s Itqan Clinical Simulation and Innovation Center (Itqan) has become the first center in Qatar to receive accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).

Itqan is a state-of-the-art education and training facility located on the Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City (HBKMC) campus of Hamad Medical Corporation. It is one of the world’s largest and most technically advanced simulation centers.

SSH accreditation is the gold standard in healthcare simulation. It signifies commitment to excellence, sets an institution apart from the competition, and ensures that the facility embodies quality education.

Commenting on the accreditation, Deputy Medical Director and Director of Medical Education at HMC Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal said that the credit for this achievement goes to all of Itqan’s staff.

Al Khal added, “The Center supports HMC’s vision and mission to be the healthcare provider of choice for patients providing the highest quality care and a thriving and inte
grated Academic Health System.” Itqan’s SSH accreditation covers two specific areas of focus: Core and Teaching/Education, with the SSH-Accreditation board noting the thoroughness of Itqan’s policies, evaluation activities, and the way the team works together.

In 2023, Itqan facilitated 1,450 activities for over 31,500 learners, whereas thus far in 2024, Itqan has hosted 21,272 learners participating in many different training courses from the very basic to the highly technologically advanced ones.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The Gulf Cooperation Council Statistical Center praised the remarkable achievements made throughout Saudi Arabia during its 94-year journey, highlighting key statistics in various economic, social, and international competitiveness fields.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has continued to make significant strides in development, aiming to build a prosperous and sustainable economic foundation by capitalizing on its abundant opportunities and resources. This progress has placed it among the world’s most advanced countries, in line with its leadership’s aspirations.

Saudi Arabia lends great support to its non-oil sectors, as part of its economic diversification plan, with non-oil activities contributing 68.4% to the GDP in 2023.

Commercial banks assets grew to $1 trillion in 2023, compared to $965.6 billion in 2022, marking a growth rate of 9.3%. Furthermore, the market value of the Saudi stock exchange reached $3 trillion in 2023.

The education sector has also witnessed significant development, at all levels
. The number of school students increased to 6.1 million during the 2022/2023 scholastic year, compared to 5.8 million students in the 2018/2019 academic year, marking a growth rate of 5.3%.

The Saudi Vision 2030 has focused on developing the tourism sector, as part of its economic diversification program, given its potential for diversifying the sources of income and creating jobs. In 2023, 30.1 million people visited Saudi Arabia, compared to 18.3 million in 2022, a growth rate of 65%. Visitor spending in the Kingdom amounted to $40.6 billion in 2023, up from $29.7 billion in 2022, representing a 36.6% increase.

Saudi Arabia is also improving its global competitiveness, as evidenced by its top rankings in several international reports. These include first place in several indicators, such as the Global Cybersecurity Index, the Internet Users Index, the Long-Term Unemployment Growth Index, the Social Cohesion Index, and the Long-Term Labor Market Growth Index, according to the World Competitiveness Yearboo
k 2024.

In entrepreneurship, Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in several indicators, including ease of starting a business and the availability of good opportunities to start a business, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2023/2024 Global Report.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater met Sunday with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konakovic, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The meeting discussed bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries, and ways to support and develop them, particularly in the political and economic fields. They also discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, along with other topics of mutual interest.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Tomorrow, September 23, Saudi Arabia will celebrate its 94th National Day.

This national occasion arrives as the Kingdom stands in a position of glory, achieving one accomplishment after another through clear development plans grounded in a comprehensive national vision. This vision, spearheaded by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, aims at fostering growth and prosperity, and establishing the nation as a beacon on the global stage.

The progress the Kingdom is experiencing today is a continuation of the legacy crafted by the great and wise leader, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, who is credited, after Allah Almighty, with founding a state whose flag proclaims monotheism, and whose constitution is the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammed, peace and blessings be upon him. The Kingdom enjoys security, safety, and stability, with the objective of building a
progressive state with influential power both locally and internationally. His righteous sons carried on the journey after him, allowing the Kingdom to flourish in this prosperous era under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince.

Proud of their country’s achievements and to build on its successes, citizens and residents alike commemorate this joyous occasion under a wise leadership that uses all means to secure their comfort and prosperity, and that continues to steer the country toward a bright future.

In this report, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) recalls the life of King Abdulaziz who, on September 23, 1932, unified the scattered parts and splintered tribes of the Arabian Peninsula and established the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an Islamic state with the Holy Quran and the Prophet Sunnah as its constitution.

According to King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives’ (Darah) records, King Abdulaziz was born in Riyadh in 1293 AH. At
the age of seven, he was taught reading and writing. At the age of 10, several scholars and tutors were assembled by his father, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal, to teach him the fundamentals of Islam and equestrian skills.

King Abdulaziz was greatly influenced by his courageous father and his mother, Princess Sarah Al-Sudairi, who was known for her wisdom and intellect. He had a close relationship with his brothers Khaled, Faisal, Fahd and Mohammed, and an even closer one with his sister, Princess Noura.

King Abdulaziz had seen and been through many events in his life that sharpened his character and taught him patience, strength and statesmanship.

Some historians consider his (forced) departure from Riyadh in 1308 Hijri, along with his father and some members of his family, to have been the most difficult time of his life. The family first settled in the Yabrin oasis, in Al-Ahsa, then moved to Bahrain, and later to Kuwait where they stayed for several years. Throughout this time, King Abdulaziz was determine
d to recapture the city that was once held by his forefathers.

He was in his twenties when he left Kuwait, on the fifth of Ramadan 1319 AH, for Riyadh at the head of an army.

On the fourth day of Shawwal 1319 AH, King Abdulaziz and his men reached Al-Shaqib district, ninety-minutes away from Riyadh on foot. From there, they headed to Riyadh, where he restored things to order after a heated battle that did not last long, turning a page on the past of Riyadh and announcing the beginning of a prosperous era.

The people and notables of Riyadh pledged allegiance to him as Amir of Najd and Imam of its people in 1320 AH. After this great victory, political stability was restored after years of turmoil, and the unity of government played a significant role in paving the way for Riyadh to enter a new era of growth and prosperity.

After enduring a long and difficult journey, King Abdulaziz was able to unite the country, restore security and confront the chaos that prevailed in the Arabian Peninsula back then. Soon
enough, and with the support of the people, he became the king of a country that he had built, securing an honorable position for it in the world.

On the 21st of Jumada Al-Awwal 1351 Hijri (September 23, 1932), the King issued a royal decree to change the name of the state from the Kingdom of Hejaz and Najd and its annexes to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

When he started organizing the country, King Abdulaziz focused on the two holy mosques, expanding them to serve Hajj and Umrah performers, as well as on opening schools and hospitals, building villages, settling the Bedouins, and using irrigation water to support agriculture. However, for these endeavors to get implemented, there was need for large sums of money.

The strong desire to see the country advance led, in the fall of 1933, to oil exploration operations to be conducted in some parts of the Kingdom. For four lean years, efforts to discover oil reservoirs remained unsuccessful, but determination and perseverance paid off; those efforts yielded resul
ts when the experts started to explore in an area called “Ain Jet” and, to their surprise, found oil 5,000 feet underground.

In 1939, oil was pumped at a ceremony attended by King Abdulaziz; it became the starting point for the state projects he had planned to implement.

King Abdulaziz was interested in external affairs as much as he was in domestic affairs. He dealt with all countries with high levels of diplomacy, placing the Kingdom’s independence above all, and getting into relations with other countries without prejudice about their religious, civilizational or cultural status, which earned him the admiration of various world leaders and made him the focus of Arab, regional and international media.

In Muharram 1373 Hijri, King Abdulaziz fell seriously ill during his stay in Taif, and at the dawn of the second of Rabi’ Al-Awwal (November 9, 1953), he passed away. He was buried in Al-Oud Cemetery, in the center of Riyadh.

While building his state, King Abdulaziz was also interested in scientific public
ations. He was passionate about reading Arabic books on various sciences, especially Sharia, printing most of them at his expense and distributing them free.

King Abdulaziz consulted his citizens, asking them to share opinions and advice, guided by the teachings of Islam.

This righteous approach followed by King Abdulaziz and his sons had a great impact on the development witnessed today in the Kingdom, which is based on cooperation between ruler and citizens.

At the ceremony held by King Abdulaziz on Muharram 25, 1355 AH, at the end of the Hajj season in Jeddah, he said: “We are gathered here tonight to advise each other and exchange experience, on the one hand, and on the other, to bid you farewell as I am leaving soon. I wish not to leave, but I am obliged to. I have gathered you here tonight because I would like to address an issue that has been on my mind. It is not my intention to make things difficult, but I have to be frank with you. We are in desperate need to meet and communicate with you so that
you are fully aware of what we do and vice versa. I would like for you to meet me face to face at my place, so that you could inform me of the demands and desires of our people and to inform the people of our work and intentions. It is my desire to be deeply tied with the people, as this will help me meet their aspirations. My door is always open to anyone who wants to talk.”

King Abdulaziz built his country’s relations with the Arab and Muslim countries, and established strong relations with the international community, in the same manner in which he managed the affairs of his country and citizens.

He was transparent in his stance regarding issues that concerned his nation at all levels.

In a speech he delivered at the grand banquet that he hosted for elite pilgrims in Makkah on Dhu al-Hijjah 9, 1364 AH (November 15, 1945), he underscored the Palestinian issue as he said: “The Palestinian issue is at the top of the matters that occupy the thoughts of Muslims and Arabs these days, and it is the issue that
should be the focus of everyone’s attention. Although I see more value in silent actions than too many spoken words, I must say that silence on the Palestinian issue is not the right thing to do. I have previously spoken with members of the British government, and I also spoke at length with President Roosevelt, and I mentioned with all frankness the injustice that befell our Arab brothers in Palestine and the oppression to which they were subjected. I demanded and requested from the late president justice for the Arabs of Palestine, if not by taking actions then at least by staying neutral and not helping Israel against them.”

Researchers and historians have shown admiration for the history of this lofty entity that overcame all obstacles and challenges with strong faith and a clear vision.

King Abdulaziz built the state on a strong foundation based on the injunctions of the Holy Quran and on Prophet Mohammad’s Sunnah. Al Saud family continued these efforts.

King Saud bin Abdulaziz continued this wise lea
dership model until signs of progress emerged and the structure of some basic institutions and bodies in the state was set.

After him came King Faisal bin Abdulaziz, during whose reign the Kingdom began implementing ambitious five-year plans for development.

Further prosperity and stability were achieved under the reign of King Khalid bin Abdulaziz, during which development continued. He served the nation in particular, and Islam and Muslims in general.

A new era of development prevailed after King Fahd bin Abdulaziz received the pledge of allegiance as king of the country. The achievements during his reign distinguish themselves by their inclusiveness and integration; they led to a comprehensive development of the country under a wise leadership.

During the era of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Kingdom witnessed huge achievements in education, health, transportation, industry, electricity, water, agriculture and economy.

Today, we witness the reign of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud, an era of sustainability, growth and development during which the country has taken great leaps forward in all fields, secured a distinguished stature abroad, and witnessed the laying of the foundations of the Kingdom’s political, economic and cultural standing, which consolidated its influential role in the global economy.

The Kingdom now has a solid economic base that places it among the 20 strongest economies in the world.

Saudi Arabia has taken huge strides, locally and globally, since the launch of vision 2030, positioning itself high under its wise leadership. This nation continues to celebrate its national day with new remarkable accomplishments every year, among which are:

Holding the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh.

Holding the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Riyadh Summit.

Holding Saudi-African Summit in Riyadh.

Signing an agreement with the People’s Republic of China, through which the Kingdom becomes a maj
or tourist destination for Chinese tourists.

Opening the Country’s First-Ever Car Manufacturing Facility by ?Lucid Group.

Establishing an automotive manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia through a PIF-Hyundai Motor Company joint venture agreement.

Signing a joint venture agreement to establish a leading tire manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia.

Winning the bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

Announcing discoveries of natural gas in the Eastern Region and the Empty Quarter.

Announcing Leyja, NEOM’s latest sustainable tourism destination.

Launching ‘Ardara’ with the development of ‘AlWadi’ in Abha as a flagship project.

Launching the master plan for the new Abha International Airport.

Joining the International Transport Forum (ITF) council.

Securing 27 Awards in science and engineering at ISEF.

Publishing Saudi Arabia’s official FIFA World CuS 2034 bid book.

Hosting the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Doha: More than eleven months have passed since the beginning of the Israeli occupation’s ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in tens of thousands of martyrs, wounded, and missing individuals, causing massive destruction and an unprecedented humanitarian disaster in the region.

Since then, the State of Qatar has spared no effort in alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.

From the early days of the aggression, the State of Qatar has collaborated with regional and international partners, as well as United Nations organizations and agencies, to de-escalate and seek a ceasefire. Qatar’s diligent efforts culminated in a temporary humanitarian truce last November, during which a number of prisoners and hostages were released, and emergency humanitarian aid was delivered to assist those in Gaza. Qatar has continued its mediation efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire.

In coordination with UN agencies and other countries, the flow of Qatari aid to the Palestinian people has
not ceased throughout the past eleven months. The aid packages from the Qatar Fund for Development, the Qatar Red Crescent Society, Qatar Charity, and other national entities included relief items, food supplies, shelter materials, tents, a field hospital, and ambulances.

The visit of HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater to Gaza on Nov. 26 as part of a Qatari diplomatic delegation sent to oversee the flow of Qatari humanitarian aid from the Rafah crossing, comes in line with Qatar’s significant commitment to supporting Gaza.

HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued a direction to treat 1500 injured individuals and sponsor 3,000 orphaned Palestinians from Gaza, further demonstrating Qatar’s commitment to standing with the Palestinian people. Qatar undertook the responsibility of transporting the injured and their escorts to Doha for treatment, continuing its steadfast support and ongoing efforts to alleviate the plight of the Palestinian people, in coopera
tion with various regional and international partners.

To reaffirm the State of Qatar’s consistent approach to enhancing its partnership with the United Nations and its agencies to support the Palestinian people, the Qatar Red Crescent signed an agreement earlier this month with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), with support from the Qatar Fund for Development amounting to $4.5 million, to provide cash assistance to Palestinian workers and patients from Gaza currently stranded in the West Bank, totaling more than 4,400 individuals.

This agreement reflects Qatar and the United Nations’ commitment to providing essential humanitarian aid to one of the most vulnerable groups. This aid, in light of the urgent humanitarian appeal issued by UNRWA in the occupied Palestinian territories, provides vital support and alleviates the suffering of displaced individuals who have been unable to return to Gaza since the onset of the Israeli aggression in October.

St
rategic humanitarian partnerships between Qatar and various United Nations agencies aim to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need and ensure that essential humanitarian aid reaches those who deserve it. This reflects Qatar’s ongoing commitment to global humanitarian issues in general and its steadfast support for the Palestinian people in particular, amidst the ongoing war in Gaza and escalating violence in the West Bank.

Qatar, through the Qatar Fund for Development, donated $25 million to UNRWA in July to enable the Agency to provide essential services to Palestinian refugees and support its activities in human development and humanitarian fields in the region. Additionally, last year the State of Qatar contributed $18 million to UNRWA’s program budget in support of Palestinian refugees.

In the context of Qatar’s pivotal role in supporting the Palestinian people, two political analysts emphasized the importance of the participation of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in the Uni
ted Nations General Assembly meetings, given Qatar’s crucial efforts to stop the war on Gaza from its inception until now.

The analysts said in a statement to QNA that Qatar has positioned itself among major countries due to its efforts in defending the Palestinians in Gaza, whom many global actors have abandoned.

In this context, political analyst and researcher at the Middle East Institute in Washington Hassan Mneimneh noted that the past year has been harsh for the Middle East and the world as a whole due to the ongoing war in Gaza. He pointed out that Qatar has positioned itself among the major countries based on its efforts in defending the Palestinian people.

He added that the issue is not about geographic size, emphasizing the importance of moral, ethical, and humanitarian stature; therefore, one can speak about Qatar’s leading and essential role and the presence of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at international conferences advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people, which ha
ve been neglected by international institutions and leaderships.

For his part, political analyst Mohamed Elmenshawy said in his remarks to QNA that it is crucial for HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to participate in the UN General Assembly meetings, given Qatar’s significant role in ending the war on Gaza since the beginning of the crisis.

He noted that Qatar is one of the three countries sponsoring the negotiation process alongside the United States and Egypt, and its role is well recognized in American circles.

He pointed out that this is the first summit HH the Amir participates in which bringing together world leaders after the war on Gaza, making it the first time that dozens of presidents, monarchs, and leaders gather to discuss this crisis on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings.

As part of efforts to provide life-saving assistance to those in need in Gaza, Qatar Charity and UNRWA signed an agreement last month worth $3 million. This agreement contributes to pro
viding food, emergency shelter, healthcare services, and other crucial humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable populations in Gaza.

This comes as part of Qatar Charity’s humanitarian and developmental programs and projects in Gaza, which were established to mobilize resources, according to the plan pledged at the 9th Conference on Effective Partnership for Better Humanitarian Aid held in Kuwait last May. The goal is to enhance humanitarian interventions and early recovery in Gaza and achieve effective response and reconstruction. The total cost of these projects is estimated at approximately $120 million, covering areas such as life-saving interventions, shelter, health, education, and economic empowerment.

Demonstrating Qatar’s active role in supporting Palestinian people through international forums, the Ministry of Labor participated with a high-level delegation in June in the meeting of partners to support the International Labor Organization (ILO) efforts in the occupied Palestinian t
erritories, held on the sidelines of the 112th session of the ILC. This participation was aimed at emphasizing the need for the ILO to take necessary actions to assist workers in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as to enhance its efforts in providing emergency humanitarian aid to the three production sectors in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

During the meeting, HE Minister of Labor Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri said that the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza and other Palestinian territories require urgent and decisive international action to achieve an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the region, emphasizing the importance of emergency humanitarian assistance and facilitating its delivery to those affected by the war to save lives, in addition to preparing for the post-war phase and uniting efforts to help the Palestinian people recover from the war’s impacts and reconstruct Gaza.

The Minister of Labor also noted that Qatar is contributing to the ILO’s development programs for 2
024, emphasizing the need to allocate part of this contribution to support the ILO’s emergency response plan to address the crisis in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Qatar’s efforts and ongoing initiatives to alleviate the suffering of people in Gaza since the onset of the aggression have received numerous international commendations. These acknowledgments have confirmed that Qatari diplomacy has tirelessly worked, alongside its international and regional partners, to de-escalate tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories and contribute to providing urgent humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza. This reflects Qatar’s esteemed position, the international community’s appreciation for its successful diplomacy, and its contributions to enhancing regional and international peace and stability.

In this context, HE Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres praised the efforts of the State of Qatar and the French Republic for the agreement between Israel and Hamas in January o
f this year. This agreement allowed for the delivery of medicines and humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, particularly in the most affected and damaged areas, considering the entry of these vital supplies and humanitarian aid as encouraging.

Additionally, the United Nations Security Council, in its resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan, commended the diligent diplomatic efforts of the State of Qatar to achieve a cessation of hostilities in Gaza, secure the release of detainees, expand the scope of relief aid, and facilitate its delivery to civilians amidst the catastrophic humanitarian situation and famine threat faced by the Gaza Strip.

In this context, HE UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths commended the efforts and role of the State of Qatar in the field of humanitarian work.

For his part, HE Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit praised Qatar attention and care for injured Palestinian children from
Gaza who are receiving treatment in Qatar, describing it as unprecedented. During a visit to Sidra Medicine Hospital in April, accompanied by HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, he said that Sidra Hospital’s efforts deserve global praise and support.

The treatment of injured Palestinian children is part of an initiative by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to treat 1,500 Palestinians from Gaza in Doha, which reflects Qatar’s ongoing support and continuous efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, in collaboration with various regional and international partners, given the current challenging humanitarian conditions in the Strip.

Qatar, as a leadership, government, and people, has consistently been at the forefront of strong support for the Palestinian cause and the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state. Qatar has affirmed its unwavering stance in supporting the Palestinian people until their leg
itimate rights are achieved through all international forums. Qatari humanitarian institutions have also been and continue to be actively present in providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. For years, they have collaborated with UN agencies, bodies, and organizations to implement various projects aimed at improving the living conditions of the Palestinian people and enhancing their resilience in facing the difficult circumstances resulting from occupation practices.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The Saudi Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce have played an important role in advancing the Saudi private sector’s contribution to the Kingdom’s economic and social development for more than 78 years now.

Over the past year, they achieved significant milestones in various areas, reinforcing their position as key players in the country’s progress.

The Saudi Chambers of Commerce lent great support to development in the regions through collaboration with local government agencies.

As part of the economic forum initiative, more than 270 investment opportunities worth SAR61 billion were presented. The chambers also focused on improving the business environment, pointing to over 1,200 challenges to the Tayseer Committee. Of these, about 63% have been resolved, while the remainder are under review.

In addition to addressing these challenges, the Federation of Saudi Chambers conducted some 300 studies on regulations, agreements, and contracts, to ensure smooth operations for th
e private sector. Furthermore, 580 workshops were held to raise awareness about government incentives and initiatives, benefiting more than 9,300 participants from the private sector.

Internationally, the federation has actively strengthened Saudi Arabia’s trade and investment ties with global partners. Over the past year, 105 investment and trade agreements were signed by the Saudi private sector with foreign entities. Additionally, 96 joint Saudi-foreign economic forums were held to boost collaboration and trade relations.

To further expand the Kingdom’s international business reach, the federation organized 229 specialized workshops and facilitated 20 agreements to establish new business councils, fostering partnerships and attracting foreign investment.

In a report issued to mark Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day, the Federation of Saudi Chambers highlighted the significant achievements of the Chambers of Commerce since the establishment of the first Chamber in Jeddah in 1946. The first Chambers of Comm
erce Law, issued in 1949, laid the foundation for decades of contributions to the national economy and to broader development goals.

The report underscored the invaluable support provided to the Saudi private sector, represented by 26 chambers, in the chamber’s 78-year history. The support is particularly important now, in the Kingdom’s current era of economic prosperity led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH the Crown Prince.

The Saudi Vision 2030 has been a turning point for the Kingdom’s economy, unlocking the private sector’s potential and positioning it as a force driving economic growth. The successful diversification policies have doubled the private sector’s contribution to the economy, with the non-oil activities now contributing 50% to the Kingdom’s total GDP.

The Chambers of Commerce has been at the forefront of efforts to attain all these achievements, ensuring that the private sector plays a central role in achieving the Kingdom’s ambitious economic
goals. As the private sector continues to grow, the federation remains committed to supporting businesses and fostering a thriving economic environment.

Source: Saudi Press Agency