Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy excellent bilateral relations. Close geographical proximity, historic trade ties, religious affinity and the complementary nature of economic needs have created a strong basis of trust between the two countries.
In addition, there is a convergence of views and interests of the two sides on most regional and international issues.
In commercial and trade sector, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain good relations. The Kingdom is among the top 20 major export destinations of Pakistan. Pak-Saudi annual bilateral trade had traditionally been around $3 billion, which in the last year had reduced around $1.2 billion because of low oil prices.
Major items of exports from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia include food, textiles, leather goods, sports equipment and surgical instruments etc. while Pakistan imports major requirements of petroleum from Saudi Arabia. The other items of import from Saudi Arabia, though minor in volume, include petrochemicals, organic chemical products, plastic and plastic products, fertilizers, steel products, electrical equipment and materials etc. However, there exists a trade imbalance in favor of Saudi Arabia, mainly due to the bulk import of petroleum in Pakistan from Saudi Arabia.
Efforts are underway on both sides to increase and balance the bilateral trade volume by drawing common contours between “Saudi Vision 2030” and “Pakistan Vision 2025” supported by a new era of socioeconomic development of Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its allied opportunities.
The Vision 2030 envisages the desire for linkages with the international markets and offers a win-win situation for both partners. In order to capitalize on this opportunity and matching it with Pakistan Vision 2025, there is a need for adopting trade and economic diplomacy as an integral part of our strategy to improve bilateral trade and investment.
In line with the above strategy, the Pakistan diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia are following a business plan that highlights ways and means to improve bilateral trade and investment, to seek opportunities for joint ventures in manufacturing and services sectors and to strive for human resource development. These missions are working to ensure easy access of information to potential buyers of Pakistani products.
In order to contribute to the goal of industrialization under the Vision 2030, diplomatic missions are also developing a business model whereby the Saudi manufacturing sector would be developed by having Saudi capital investment supplemented by the technology and skilled manpower from Pakistani counterparts as joint venture (JV) partners for these sectors. It would be a win-win situation for both sides.
The journey of socioeconomic development with mutual cooperation between the two brotherly countries is ongoing and there is no doubt that the Vision 2030 would prove to be a gateway to improve Pak-Saudi bilateral economic relations making them partners in the prosperity of each other.
• The writers are members of the Commercial Team at Pakistan Consulate, Jeddah and could be reached at [email protected].
Vision 2030 – a gateway to enhance Pak-Saudi ties
Vision 2030 – a gateway to enhance Pak-Saudi ties
14 sculptures go on display at public spaces in Riyadh
- The works were chosen by Riyadh Art from its international Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium to reflect its ‘vision of weaving beauty and intellect into the city’s fabric’
- Initiative aligns with efforts to make art a key part of city’s identity that improves quality of life and promotes the cultural economy, says Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s Khalid Al-Hazani
RIYADH: Fourteen sculptures selected from the annual international Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium, a Riyadh Art program, went on display on Wednesday at three prominent public spaces across the Saudi capital: ROSHN Front, the SEDRA residential community, and Sports Boulevard.
The project is part of Riyad Art’s efforts to showcase artworks in public spaces, and the addition of more works in other places is expected later.
Khalid Al-Hazani, the executive vice president of the lifestyle sector at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, said: “This step reflects (Riyadh Art’s) vision of weaving beauty and intellect into the city’s fabric, and creating vibrant and culturally rich public spaces, allowing art to become an integral part of people’s daily lives.”
It is also in line with Riyadh Art’s broader strategy for transforming the city into an open-air art gallery, he added, thereby “turning art into a central element of the city’s identity and a key contributor to improving quality of life and promoting the cultural economy.”
The three chosen locations were considered perfect places to host the artworks because of their vibrancy, strong community connections and accessibility, Al-Hazani noted.
“This provides residents and visitors with the opportunity to engage with the sculptures in their everyday lives,” he said.
Seven of the sculptures have been installed at ROSHN Front, considered a key urban hub. The artworks on display there form a thought-provoking artistic landscape that encourages interaction, organizers said, and explores a number of themes including the values of urban transformation, community spirit, and creative curiosity.
Three sculptures are on display at the SEDRA residential community. Chosen to complement its serene character and nature-integrated urban planning, they blend in with their surroundings to reflect the values of environmental harmony, contemplation and renewal, organizers explained.
The remaining four sculptures are at Sports Boulevard, known for its open, green spaces. These works reflect several concepts, in particular ideas of nature, balance and public health.
All of the sculptures are part of Riyadh Art’s permanent collection, which includes works created by local and international artists during the Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium.
