Saudi Arabia, Canada agree to re-exchange trade delegations

Saudi Arabia was the biggest export market for Canada in the region in 2021. Canadian exports amounted to $1.65 billion at that time. 
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Updated 12 January 2024
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Saudi Arabia, Canada agree to re-exchange trade delegations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Canada have agreed to re-exchange trade delegations after it was suspended for five years. 

The Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian side to form a joint Saudi-Canadian Business Council. 

The move came amid Riyadh and Ottawa resumed full diplomatic ties last year. 

Hassan Al-Huwaizi, president of Saudi Chambers of Commerce, said the setting up a joint council is a positive step and it will help elevate trade and business ties between the two countries. 

Al-Huwaizi, on Thursday, also met with Jean-Philippe Linteau, Canada’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and discussed ways to improve economic relations and increase trade and investment volume between the two sides. 

He further noted that the business council will provide a platform for businessmen in both countries to promote their activities and engage in partnerships. 

It is also expected to facilitate continuous interaction between business leaders among the two countries, along with exchanging information about opportunities and markets. 

Saudi Arabia was the biggest export market for Canada in the region in 2021. Canadian exports amounted to $1.65 billion at that time. 


Egypt-born Dina Powell McCormick appointed Meta president and vice chairman

Updated 13 January 2026
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Egypt-born Dina Powell McCormick appointed Meta president and vice chairman

  • The former Goldman Sachs partner and White House official previously served on Meta’s board of directors
  • Powell McCormick, who was born in Cairo and moved to the US as a child, joins the management team and will help guide overall strategy and execution

LONDON: Meta has appointed Egypt-born Dina Powell McCormick as its new president and vice chairman.

The company said on Monday that the former Goldman Sachs partner and White House official, who previously served on Meta’s board of directors, is stepping up into a senior leadership role as the company accelerates its push into artificial intelligence and global infrastructure.

Powell McCormick, who was born in Cairo and moved to the US as a young girl, will join the management team and help guide its overall strategy and execution. She will work closely with Meta’s Compute and infrastructure teams, the company said, overseeing multi-billion-dollar investments in data centers, energy systems and global connectivity, while building new strategic capital partnerships.

“Dina’s experience at the highest levels of global finance, combined with her deep relationships around the world, makes her uniquely suited to help Meta manage this next phase of growth as the company’s president and vice chairman,” Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said.

Powell McCormick has more than 25 years of experience in finance, national security and economic development. She spent 16 years as a partner at Goldman Sachs in senior leadership roles, and served two US presidents, including stints as deputy national security adviser to Donald Trump, and a senior State Department official under George W. Bush.

Most recently, she was vice chair and president of global client services at merchant bank BDT & MSD Partners.