Sarajevo eager to see stronger ties with Riyadh, Bosnian House speaker tells Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan
Prince Sultan bin Salman met Speaker Safet Softic in Sarajevo on Thursday to discuss further co-operation between their countries
Updated 19 July 2018
Arab News
The president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), Prince Sultan bin Salman, met the speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo to discuss further co-operation between the nations.
The meeting came on the sidelines of Prince Sultan’s official visit to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bosnia’s speaker of the House of Peoples, Safet Softic, said: “The visit of a senior Saudi official to Bosnia is a sign that communication between the two countries is constantly growing and improving.”
Softic was eager to see economic relations between Bosnia and the Kingdom become as strong as political and humanitarian relations between them.
Prince Sultan said: “It is our religious and humanitarian duty to support Bosnia, and King Salman has given special attention to Bosnia’s cause since the war started in the days of the late King Fahd and until justice was achieved and the war ended with Saudi Arabia’s support.”
The SCTH chief explained that Saudi Arabia is investing in Bosnia’s future as a country located in the heart of Europe with a future in the European market.
Prince Sultan also visited the King Fahd Cultural Center in Sarajevo. He praised the center, saying it is one of the largest and most important support projects provided by the Kingdom to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
King Salman “attended the opening ceremony of the center,” said Prince Sultan, who was accompanied by the Saudi ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. “The center should be a cultural addition to the culture prevailing here.”
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
Updated 24 January 2026
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
