Islamic Development Bank workshop promotes investment in OIC countries

Islamic Development Bank workshop promotes investment in OIC countries
The workshop informed participants on the benefits of adopting digital technologies. (Islamic Center for the Development of Trade)
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Updated 27 December 2022

Islamic Development Bank workshop promotes investment in OIC countries

Islamic Development Bank workshop promotes investment in OIC countries

JEDDAH: The Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Center for the Development of Trade recently concluded a workshop on the digitization of services in investment promotion agencies in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s member states.

The two-day workshop, in which 32 senior officials from IPAs in 29 member countries of the IDB participated, tackled the technical aspects of enhancing digitization through the exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices.

The workshop informed participants on the benefits of adopting digital technologies, the critical success factors for digital transformation in investment promotion and the challenges facing foreign direct investment.

Participants were also able to exchange views on the active leadership role of international development institutions, such as the UN Conference on Trade and Development; the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries; the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit; the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation; the Coordination Office and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce.

The workshop also discussed the first joint annual report of the IDB and the ICDT on the investment climate and opportunities in OIC countries.

The 2022 report provided valuable statistics and insights related to foreign direct investment in OIC countries to help assess the investment climate, analyze major investment trends, identify issues and shape future policies.

The participants concluded the workshop with a recommendation to draw up an action plan that includes activities to facilitate the implementation of the digital transformation roadmap, which aims to promote the development of private sector investments.


Saudi crown prince, Iraqi PM discuss cooperation

Saudi crown prince, Iraqi PM discuss cooperation
Updated 28 March 2023

Saudi crown prince, Iraqi PM discuss cooperation

Saudi crown prince, Iraqi PM discuss cooperation

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, have discussed ways to enhance bilateral strategic cooperation and partnership within the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council.

The officials also reviewed issues of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Tuesday.


Saudi Arabia’s wizkids of the future offered expertise on the appliance of science

Several short academic, international and research courses will teach budding scientists practical skills. (SPA)
Several short academic, international and research courses will teach budding scientists practical skills. (SPA)
Updated 28 March 2023

Saudi Arabia’s wizkids of the future offered expertise on the appliance of science

Several short academic, international and research courses will teach budding scientists practical skills. (SPA)
  • Mawhiba foundation has 12,000 places on programs designed to guide gifted students on career path

RIYADH: Thousands of students are being given the chance to find their inner boffin and get to grips with ethical and social issues of science research on programs by the Mawhiba foundation.

The foundation, also known as the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, has opened registration for several short academic, international and research “enrichment” courses that teach budding scientists practical skills and help them find a future path.

Mawhiba says on its website that the programs are open to “gifted and talented students of both genders” from across the Kingdom, and are intended as a first step to helping them “identify their skills and potentials” and prepare them for more advanced foundation schemes.

Taking part also increases the opportunity to obtain scholarships offered by the Ministry of Education, it said.

The foundation said that the academic enrichment course aims to enhance a student’s “personal and social skills… improve their competence and readiness, build their scientific and practical expertise and challenge their abilities.”

HIGHLIGHT

The academic enrichment course aims to enhance a student’s personal and social skills ... improve their competence and readiness, build their scientific and practical expertise and challenge their abilities. The research program teaches scientific research ethics, deals with issues surrounding intellectual property rights and sets students on a path to their preferred field of expertise.

The research enrichment program teaches scientific research ethics, deals with issues surrounding intellectual property rights and sets students on a path to their preferred field of expertise.

It said the programs use “instructors and academics who have undergone continuous training courses and advanced programs that keep pace with the best technologies and scientific discoveries.”

In-person courses will take place in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dhahran and Al-Ahsa and will be complemented by virtual courses open to students across the Kingdom.

Registration is open until June 13. Courses begin towards the end of July and finish mid-August. Mawhiba said that there are a total of around 12,000 places on its courses.

 


Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah

Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah
Updated 27 March 2023

Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah

Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah
  • The initiative aims to run a series of cultural, intellectual, and training events in Al-Balad for young people while helping support and develop youth talent

JEDDAH: Officials from the Jeddah Literary Cultural Club and Al-Hijaz Cultural House in the city’s historic Al-Balad district recently signed a cooperation agreement to promote cultural programs.

The initiative aims to run a series of cultural, intellectual, and training events in Al-Balad for young people while helping support and develop youth talent.

Club chairman, Abdullah Al-Sulami, said one of the main provisions of the deal was to establish cultural and social activities, adding that the community partnership was a requirement for everyone “who plays a constructive role in thinking and caring for young men and women, developing their talents, and presenting them to a conscious and promising society.”

Al-Hijaz Cultural House manager, Mohammed Al-Hasani, said the link-up with the club would be managed by the Abqar Poetry Hub which offers monthly activities including poetry evenings and workshops for young talents supervised by poet and journalist Abdulaziz Al-Sharif.

 


Belarusian FM backs Saudi Expo 2030 bid

Abdulrahman Suleiman Al-Ahmad, who is also the Kingdom’s ambassador to Russia, spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Aleinik
Abdulrahman Suleiman Al-Ahmad, who is also the Kingdom’s ambassador to Russia, spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Aleinik
Updated 27 March 2023

Belarusian FM backs Saudi Expo 2030 bid

Abdulrahman Suleiman Al-Ahmad, who is also the Kingdom’s ambassador to Russia, spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Aleinik
  • The host country for the Expo 2030 is expected to be announced in November

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Belarus met with Minsk’s top diplomat on Tuesday last week.

Abdulrahman Suleiman Al-Ahmad, who is also the Kingdom’s ambassador to Russia, spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Aleinik about a number of issues.

Aleinik relayed to Al-Ahmad his country’s support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host Expo 2030. He added that Riyadh would stage the event to a “high standard” and that Minsk would contribute any assistance required in making it a success, a Belarusian Foreign Ministry statement said.

Also on the agenda were development of political dialogue, the prospects for expanding trade and economic cooperation and investment interaction between the Kingdom and Belarus.

The host country for the Expo 2030 is expected to be announced in November, Riyadh is competing with Rome, South Korea’s Busan and Ukraine’s Odessa.


‘Digitizing the Customer Experience in the Saudi Real Estate Sector’ challenge winners revealed

General view of Riyadh city. (REUTERS)
General view of Riyadh city. (REUTERS)
Updated 28 March 2023

‘Digitizing the Customer Experience in the Saudi Real Estate Sector’ challenge winners revealed

General view of Riyadh city. (REUTERS)
  • The aim of the contest was to encourage the development of innovative technical products and services that can help solve challenges faced by property buyers and tenants in Saudi Arabia
  • After a series of qualifying rounds and an intensive training camp, the judging panel whittled down 165 projects to the final 27, from which three winners were chosen

RIYADH: The winning projects in a “Digitizing the Customer Experience in the Real Estate Sector” challenge set by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Authority, also known as Monsha’at, have been chosen.

The aim of the challenge, organized in cooperation with the Real Estate General Authority, was to encourage the development of innovative technical products and services that can help solve some of the challenges faced by property buyers and tenants in the Kingdom, including those encountered during the search for a house. It was one of a series of challenges designed to encourage innovative solutions in the real estate sector.

The entrants were invited to develop projects designed to assist in one of three specific aspects of the real estate sector: The search for a property; the evaluation and inspection of properties; and support services related to housing, such as design, maintenance and furnishing, for buyers or renters.

After a series of qualifying rounds and an intensive training camp, the judging panel whittled down 165 projects to the final 27, from which three winners were chosen.

The top prize of SR50,000 ($13,313) went to a project called “Ejari,” or “Tenant.” “A’aked Ejar,” or “Rent Contract,” won the SR30,000 second prize, and “Iqar Bot,” or “Real Estate Bot” was awarded third place and a prize of SR20,000.

The teams behind the successful projects will now work with mentors and trainers from the real estate sector to develop their projects and present them to investors.