The Saudi Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the National Competitiveness Center (NCC), Majid Al-Qasabi, has on Monday embarked on a visit to South Africa to explore strengthening business ties across various economic sectors and enhancing economic partnership between both countries, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Al-Qasabi headed a Saudi delegation of officials representing 15 government entities, 31 business leaders, and representatives of major national companies. He held a series of meetings with his South African counterpart, Parks Tau, in addition to South Africa’s Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams; Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille; and Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen.
During the meetings, the Saudi Commerce Minister explored enhancing bilateral business ties and the available opportunities for the business sectors in both countries. He also discussed facilitating services and commodities trade, the participation of South African companies in Biban 24 Forum, the initiatives that aim to support and empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the exchange of expertise in the sectors of mutual interest.
Earlier on the same day, Al-Qasabi and Tau inaugurated the Saudi-South African Business Forum, organized by the Saudi National Competitiveness Center in collaboration with the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the South African Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition.
More than 420 leaders from the business sectors in both countries joined the Business Forum to expand business and economic partnerships, and introduce the promising opportunities in priority sectors, as well as the implemented economic and developmental reforms, which boosted the competitiveness of the business environment in Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, Al-Qasabi participated in the inauguration of SMSA Express operations center in South Africa, which will contribute to providing logistics solutions to companies in both countries.
