RIYADH, 20 August — A major national seminar will be held in Riyadh from Oct. 19 to 23 to discuss the future of Saudi economy. Prince Abdullah, the regent, is scheduled to inaugurate the wide-ranging seminar to be attended by 10 Saudi ministers, senior government officials and prominent researchers.
A number of foreign experts and international and regional organizations will also take part in the five-day event, the first of its kind in the Kingdom. Papers to be discussed will focus on ways of achieving continuous development.
The seminar will focus on four major themes: manpower development; economic diversification; partnership between the public and private sectors; and economic transformation.
The first session, to be chaired by Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi, will discuss the health care system in the Kingdom and ways to provide best possible medical services and the future of health insurance. A futuristic view of the health sector until the year 2020 will also be presented.
The second session will focus on the challenges facing manpower development. It will be chaired by Higher Education Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari. Ways of expanding the capacity of Saudi universities to accommodate more students will be one of the major topics.
Education Minister Dr. Mohammed Al-Rasheed will preside over the third session, which will discuss the country’s educational policies.
The fourth session, to be chaired by Dr. Saleh Al-Athel, president of King Abdul Aziz City for Science & Technology, will discuss the national policy for science and technology.
The fifth session will be chaired by Labor and Social Affairs Minister Dr. Ali Al-Namlah to discuss future labor policies and Saudization plans.
The session will also deal with the future of the labor market and employment strategies.
Industry and Electricity Minister Dr. Hashim Yamani will chair an important session on strengthening partnership between the public and private sectors and future strategy of the Kingdom’s industrial sector.
Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, will chair a session that will focus on the significance of eco-tourism. Papers will be presented on development of the tourism industry. There will be another session, chaired by Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Dr. Muhammad Al-Jarallah on enhancing municipal services commensurate with population increase. Financing of municipal services, local management and building strategy are other topics to be discussed.
Hamad Al-Sayyari, governor of Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), is to chair another session of the seminar to discuss the future of the banking sector. The experience of Japan in financing industries, future of the Saudi stock market and its role in repatriating national funds, and the impact of World Trade Organization on the Kingdom’s financial market will also come up at the seminar.Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi will chair a session that will discuss the new opportunities in the gas sector, future of the minerals sector and strategies of the energy sector. Agriculture and Water Minister Dr. Abdullah Muammar is to chair a session focusing on the Kingdom’s water resources and requirements.Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Tuwaijeri, secretary-general of the Supreme Economic Council, will preside over a major session focusing on privatization, future of pubic financing, effective pricing of public services such as electricity and private sector participation in infrastructure projects.
Civil Service Minister Mohammed Al-Fayez will chair a session focusing on improving public sector performance and implementation of e-government. Finance and National Economy Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf will chair a session to discuss the future of financial and investment services in the Kingdom. Another session, to be chaired by Commerce Minister Dr. Osama Faqeeh will discuss the future of economic blocs and impact of WTO on Saudi economy.
Prince Abdullah ibn Faisal, governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), will chair an important session to discuss future of foreign investment in the Kingdom. Another session, to be chaired by Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will focus on development of small-scale and medium-scale firms.Mohammed Jameel Mulla, governor of Saudi Telecom Authority, will chair a session focusing on the role of information technology and telecommunication in achieving development.
The last session, to be chaired by former Finance Minister Muhammad Aba Al-Khail, will discuss implementation of futuristic views.
