RIYADH: Up to 40 Canadian firms are eying investment in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector amid efforts to strengthen economic ties between the countries.
The interest was highlighted at a healthcare event organized by the Federation of Saudi Chambers at its headquarters in Riyadh, which showcased various investment opportunities within the sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s objective to boost private sector participation in healthcare to 25 percent by 2030, reflecting the rapid growth and expansion of the industry, along with attractive investment incentives. It also underscores the Kingdom’s broader efforts to strengthen ties with Canada, highlighted by the restoration of diplomatic relations in May 2023 after a five-year hiatus.
During the gathering, Chairman of the Saudi-Canadian Business Council Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Duleim highlighted the body’s pivotal role in boosting trade relations and fostering investment between the Kingdom and the North American country.
Al-Duleim also provided an overview of Vision 2030 initiatives and talked up the incentives and support offered by Saudi Arabia to foreign investors.
The Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom Jean-Philippe Linteau commended the efforts to strengthen economic ties between countries.
He emphasized the joint business council’s contributions and highlighted the strong interest of Canadian firms in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector.
In December, economic cooperation was the focus of a high-level meeting between a senior Saudi official and the Canadian ambassador, reflecting the ongoing progress in relations between the two nations.
The Kingdom’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim held talks with Linteau at his department’s headquarters in Riyadh, SPA said at the time.
Since normalizing relations, Canada is keen to build a “great relationship” with the Kingdom, Linteau said during an interview with Arab News in February.
His commets came a month after 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 at the time 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.
In 2022, Saudi exports to Canada stood at $2.5 billion, with imports valued at $959 million, according to online data visualization and distribution platform Observatory of Economic Complexity.
