MOSCOW: The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Kirill Dmitriev, stressed that the historic visit of King Salman to the Russian Federation has been a success.
In a speech during a meeting with Saudi media at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Moscow, he said: “The meeting between King Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin was positive, as they discussed a number of issues and topics of common interest to the Kingdom, Russia and the region of the Middle East, as well as economic and investment cooperation between us, and they agreed on a number of important issues such as military cooperation.”
Dmitriev thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their efforts in improving and developing relations with the Russian Federation.
He added that President Putin in 2015 met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he visited Russia, during which the two sides discussed levels of cooperation between the two countries. There were no Saudi-Russian investments then, except for a few companies, but a large number of agreements emerged after the visit of the crown prince and his meeting with the president to discuss the stability of the oil market.
Dmitriev talked about investments between the two countries and the investment forum, pointing out that the value of investments currently amounted to $10 billion, adding that these projects have significant positive advantages. “We announced an energy market and another fund in the field of technology,” he stated, indicating that a number of Russian companies such as Cebu, which produces petroleum products, and a gas company based on Russian industrial gas projects, have announced plans to work in Saudi Arabia.
“The Vision 2030 has a great interest in the sectors of the Kingdom in terms of investment and the economy to grow significantly, and we are happy with the trend,” he said.
Dmitriev disclosed that 200 Saudi companies were in the joint agreements with Russian companies to produce fertilizers.
“We welcome other important agreements that have been announced in the technical and military fields, and I am confident that we will continue in the field of energy and efforts to stabilize the price of oil, he emphasized.
He pointed out that local businessmen were impressed by the presence of the delegation of Saudi businessmen, who are supported by King Salman.
“We worked from morning to evening with ministers and businessmen to cooperate between the two parties,” he said, pointing out that the meeting of the king with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was successful and it was agreed that steps to implement the conventions and memoranda of understanding would be accelerated.
Dmitriev praised the role of Crown Prince Mohammed two years ago, who supported relations between the Kingdom and Russia, stressing that his decisive steps led to reaching many agreements in the field of development and investment.
King Salman’s Russia visit a success: RDIF chief
King Salman’s Russia visit a success: RDIF chief
Saudi Justice Ministry to host training conference
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Justice is to hold the International Conference of Judicial Training in Riyadh from May 6-7.
The Judicial Training Center hosts the event which will see the participation of several international training institutes, centers, and experts in the field of judicial and legal training. The objective is to facilitate the exchange of experiences and deliberations on contemporary trends in the era of digital transformation.
Called “The Future of Judicial Training in the Era of Digital Transformation,” the event will delve into the prospects of training in the future. It will explore paths for enhancing training content; strategies for harnessing modern technology; artificial intelligence in judicial training; and effective methodologies for measuring the training’s impact.
Saudi energy minister attends Tashkent International Investment Forum
TASHKENT: Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Thursday participated in the primary dialogue session at the third Tashkent International Investment Forum.
In the presence of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the energy minister highlighted the distinguished relations between the two nations, emphasizing the leadership’s strong commitment to enhancing and expanding cooperation across all sectors, particularly energy.
The partnership aims to benefit both countries and their citizens.
Who’s Who: Ali Alhasan, CEO and founder of NanoPalm
- Alhasan co-developed deep tech to leverage large language models for biotech discovery
- He was granted the Outstanding Researcher Award from the International Institute for Nanotechnology in 2012
Ali Alhasan is CEO and founder of the company NanoPalm. He holds a Ph.D. in nanomedicine, with expertise in nano-drug delivery and gene therapy and five years of experience in executive management.
In his role as CEO, Alhasan formulates the strategic and business plans for accelerating therapy translation globally and trains talents in deep tech, nanotech, and gene editing tech.
Alhasan co-developed deep tech to leverage large language models for biotech discovery. He also co-invented Nanopalm’s biorobots for the delivery of gene editing primers and helped discover four nanomedicines for four different genetic diseases.
He is also an associate professor at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and an adjunct professor at Alfaisal University, establishing collaboration agreements between the two.
As associate professor, he is the principal researcher for development and innovation in nanomedicine and the fourth industrial revolution.
In his role as adjunct professor, Alhasan teaches nanomedicine and mentors postgraduate and undergraduate students. He also co-established the Cancer Nanoscience Program.
Previously, Alhasan served in executive leadership roles at KACST as deputy at the Joint Centers of Excellence Program (2021), deputy of the Life Science and Environment Research Institute (2020), director of the Center of Excellence for Biomedicine (2020), and director of Strategic Initiatives (2016).
Alhasan was a post-doctoral scholar at the University of California in 2015 and received his Ph.D. in the Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program from Northwestern University in 2013.
In 2008, he received a master’s degree in biotechnology also from Northwestern University, while in 2001, he received his bachelor’s degree in medical technology from King Abdulaziz University.
Alhasan was granted the Leader of the Year award from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in 2024. In 2018, he received the Outstanding Investigator Award from KACST.
He was granted the Outstanding Researcher Award from the International Institute for Nanotechnology in 2012.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks with Swiss foreign minister
- two ministers discussed developments of common interest and efforts made by both countries in those areas
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke on the phone with his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis on Thursday.
During the call, the two ministers discussed developments of common interest and efforts made by both countries in those areas, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Cassis was in the Kingdom last month to attend the Special Meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Riyadh on April 28 and 29, during which he met with Prince Faisal.
Prince Faisal and Cassis also met earlier in the year in February during UN meetings in Geneva.
Saudi FM discusses preparations for Expo 2030 with BIE chief
- During the meeting, the two officials discussed the Kingdom’s preparations to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh
- “We underlined the importance of careful planning to deliver a transformational World Expo in 2030,” Kerkentzes said
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received the Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions Dimitri Kerkentzes in Riyadh on Thursday.
During the meeting, the two officials discussed the Kingdom’s preparations to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh and coordination to ensure that the exhibition would be “exceptional,” Saudi Press Agency reported.
Writing on social media platform X, Kerkentzes said: “We underlined the importance of careful planning to deliver a transformational World Expo in 2030.”
The BIE chief met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday.
World Expo 2030 will be hosted in Riyadh after the Kingdom defeated challenges from South Korea and Italy to host the prestigious event in November 2023.
