Saudi Arabia, Canada to strengthen economic ties after high-level meeting

Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim held talks with Jean-Philippe Linteau. SPA
Short Url
Updated 31 December 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia, Canada to strengthen economic ties after high-level meeting

  • Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim held talks with Ambassador Jean-Philippe Linteau
  • Meeting reinforces their commitment to deepening cooperation and tackling mutual challenges

RIYADH: Economic cooperation was the focus of a high-level meeting between a top Saudi official and the Canadian Ambassador as relations between the nations continue to progress.

The Kingdom’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim held talks with Jean-Philippe Linteau at his department’s headquarters in Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

This meeting signifies a positive development in Saudi-Canadian relations, which were restored in May 2023 after a five-year diplomatic rift. 

The restoration followed discussions between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Bangkok in November 2022.

Since normalizing relations, Canada is keen to build a “great relationship” with the Kingdom, Linteau said during an interview with Arab News in February.

The recent meeting between Al-Ibrahim and the top diplomat reinforces their commitment to deepening cooperation and tackling mutual challenges.

In January, Saudi Arabia and Canada agreed to re-exchange trade delegations, aiming to improve economic relations and increase trade and investment volumes.

Hassan Al-Huwaizi, president of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce, emphasized that establishing a joint business council would provide a platform for business leaders to promote activities and engage in partnerships, facilitating continuous interaction and information exchange about market opportunities.


Two Saudi cybersecurity firms plan Tadawul listings within two years 

Updated 10 sec ago
Follow

Two Saudi cybersecurity firms plan Tadawul listings within two years 

RIYADH: Two Saudi cybersecurity companies, Cyber and Infratech, plan to list a portion of their shares on the Saudi Stock Exchange, or Tadawul, between 2026 and 2027, according to the companies’ chairmen, who spoke to Al-Eqtisadiah. 

Abdulrahman Al-Kenani, founder and CEO of Cyber, said: “The company is currently planning to acquire certain entities, which will be disclosed in the coming period, in addition to preparing for a public offering through the Tumooh program on the stock market within the next two years at the latest.” 

Al-Kenani explained that the financial, healthcare and services sectors are witnessing continuous cyberattacks as Saudi Arabia expands its digital transformation, accompanied by a rise in the frequency of such incidents. He added that this phenomenon is not limited to the Kingdom but is a global issue. 

The CEO added: “The company is working with several Saudi airports and vital sectors, in addition to collaborating with major international companies to provide cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.” 

Infratech plans 4 R&D centers abroad 

Ayman Al-Suhaim, CEO of Infratech, stated: “The size of the information technology and cybersecurity market in Saudi Arabia has reached approximately SR87 billion ($23.2 billion), of which SR15.7 billion are allocated to the cybersecurity sector. This includes consulting, managed services, governance, risk management, and cybersecurity within the industrial sector.” 

He said the company has a strategic plan covering the period from 2026 to 2028, which includes establishing a firm in the first quarter of next year to finance cybersecurity and artificial intelligence products, as well as launching four research and development centers in the US, Russia, China and Eastern Europe. 

The plan also includes investment in cloud storage, overseas ventures, and the expansion of operations and investments in data centers. 

Al-Suhaim said the company intends to go public in 2027, noting that it operates across multiple cybersecurity domains serving sectors including energy, defense, aviation and government services. 

The Tumooh program for small and medium-sized enterprises in Saudi Arabia is one of the support initiatives offered by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, or Monsha’at. It aims to drive SME growth by strengthening capabilities, improving performance and accelerating expansion. 

The initiative seeks to help fast-growing SMEs prepare for initial public offerings in the financial markets. To date, the program has facilitated the listing of 24 companies on the Nomu Parallel Market out of more than 2,500 firms registered under the scheme.