IANS | 25 Oct, 2023
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal attended the 7th edition of Future
Investment Initiative (FII) meet in Riyadh from October 24 to 25.
He
also met several dignitaries from the host country including Saudi
Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman Al-Saud, Commerce
Minister Majid bin Abdullah AlKassabi, and Investment Minister Khalid
Al Falih.
Goyal addressed the 7th Edition of FII in one of the plenary sessions titled "The Coming Investment Mandate".
He
also co-chaired a conclave session on the theme “From Risk to
Opportunity: Strategies for Emerging Economies in the New Industrial
Policy Era” along with the Saudi Investment Minister.
This was
followed by a bilateral meeting where the two ministers deliberated
expansion of investment across diverse sectors to foster economic growth
and further enhance strategic partnership between the two countries.
Goyal
also held bilateral meetings with Saudi Arabian Industry and Mineral
Resources Minister Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef, CEO NEOM Nadhmi Al
Nasr, and Governor of Public Investment Fund (PIF) Yassir Rummayyan.
Discussions pertained to improvement in bilateral relations, especially in the field of commerce and industry.
Goyal
also took part in the business round table organised at the Federation
of Saudi Chambers, and highlighted the multiple opportunities offered by
India. The growing trade between the two countries reached an all-time
high of $52.75 billion in 2022-23. The conference aimed at further
strengthening the economic partnership between the two countries.
The
Confederation of Indian Industry and the Federation of Saudi Chambers
of Commerce signed a MoU in Goyal's presence to further enhance
commercial partnership.
Goyal also met World Bank President Ajay
Banga and prominent business leaders on the sidelines of the FII. He
held interactive sessions with Indian business leaders and the Indian
community in Saudi Arabia, both constituting a respectable part of the
Saudi economy.
Saudi Arabia is one of India’s most important
strategic partners. The level of cooperation between the two countries
can also be witnessed with the establishment of India-Saudi Arabia
Strategic Partnership Council (SPC).