Al-Falih meets Chilean ministers to explore investment opportunities

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih engaged in substantive dialogue with various Chilean ministers and government officials to explore and amplify mutual financing possibilities. (File)
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Updated 06 August 2023
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Al-Falih meets Chilean ministers to explore investment opportunities

RIYADH: Investment opportunities between Saudi Arabia and Chile are set to get a boost as officials from both sides convened for a roundtable meeting in Santiago on Saturday.  

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih engaged in substantive dialogue with various Chilean ministers and government officials to explore and amplify mutual financing possibilities.  

The meeting underscored the necessity of cementing economic ties between the Kingdom and Chile in bolstering the private sectors of both countries and fostering partnerships in areas of shared interest.

Al-Falih met with Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveran, Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism Nicolas Grau and Minister of Public Works Jessica Lopez Saffie. 

The meetings are part of the Saudi Ministry of Investment and its delegation’s intention to promote bilateral trade by introducing the Kingdom’s public and private sectors to Latin American countries to explore investment opportunities. 

Al-Falih also signed a memorandum of understanding with Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship on Saturday. 

The agreement aims to boost cooperation between both parties to facilitate direct investments. 

Furthermore, Al-Falih discussed several topics with Argentina’s minister around enhancing partnerships and collaborative investments in quality projects.

On Thursday, Al-Falih led a 60-member delegation to an investment forum in Uruguay’s capital Montevideo. 

These initiatives are in line with the aim of the Saudi Ministry of Investment to attract quality investments that will empower sector growth, develop policies and improve the overall access to services through partnerships between the public and private sectors. 

The ministry also endeavors to bolster collaborative initiatives with the private sector to drive social and economic transformation within the Kingdom under the strategic framework of Vision 2030.  

It underscored its role as a facilitator and catalyst by enabling the involvement of both domestic and international private sectors to fuel economic growth. 

Additionally, it emphasized its commitment to assisting these sectors in navigating and surmounting any challenges they may encounter in their interactions with pertinent bodies, both locally and globally.   


Yorkshire cricket club punished over racism scandal

Updated 28 July 2023
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Yorkshire cricket club punished over racism scandal

  • Pakistan-born bowler Rafiq went public with allegations of racism and bullying in September 2020
  • The points penalty sends Yorkshire to the bottom of Division Two of the County Championship

LONDON: Yorkshire County Cricket Club were slapped with a huge 48-point deduction in the English County Championship on Friday after admitting four charges related to the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.
The independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) also fined the club £400,000 ($514,000), £300,000 of which is suspended for two years.
The points penalty sends Yorkshire to the bottom of Division Two of the County Championship.
Pakistan-born bowler Rafiq, 32, went public with allegations of racism and bullying in September 2020, related to his two spells at the English county.
The Yorkshire board issued a statement accepting the sanctions.
“The CDC and ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) have today acknowledged the vast amount of work done by YCCC to overcome the cultural issues that existed within the club, which allowed racist and discriminatory behavior to go unchallenged,” it said.
“We are accountable for these issues, and we accepted four amended charges as part of a continued commitment to ensure we are able to move forward.”
But the Yorkshire board added: “We are disappointed to receive the point deductions which affects players and staff at the club, who were not responsible for the situation.”
ECB chief executive Richard Gould, who was not in post during the Rafiq scandal, said: “There can be no place for racism in our game, and the penalties announced by the Cricket Discipline Commission mark the end of a thorough disciplinary process.
“No one should have to experience what Azeem Rafiq went through in cricket, and we once again thank him for his courage in speaking out.”
Six former Yorkshire players were previously fined by the CDC after being found guilty of using racist language.
Separately, a damning report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) last month revealed “widespread” racism, sexism and classism in English cricket.
The ICEC was established in 2021 following the racism scandal surrounding the treatment of Rafiq.