ASEAN-GCC Summit will reshape dynamics of our relations, says Malaysian envoy

ASEAN-GCC Summit will reshape dynamics of our relations, says Malaysian envoy
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Malaysian Ambassador Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah with Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf (Center) at National Day celebration. (Supplied/Malaysian Embassy)
ASEAN-GCC Summit will reshape dynamics of our relations, says Malaysian envoy
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Malaysian Ambassador Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah (Right) cutting cake with Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf (Center) at National Day celebration. (Supplied/Malaysian Embassy)
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Updated 14 September 2023
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ASEAN-GCC Summit will reshape dynamics of our relations, says Malaysian envoy

ASEAN-GCC Summit will reshape dynamics of our relations, says Malaysian envoy
  • “I am confident that we can work together with the Kingdom to ensure the success of the summit,” said Malaysian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah
  • Saudi Arabia is Malaysia’s largest trading partner among the West Asian countries

RIYADH: Relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council will be elevated by the inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit hosted by Saudi Arabia in October, according to Malaysian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah.
“As the country coordinator for the ASEAN-GCC Summit, I wish to extend my gratitude to my ASEAN colleagues for the support rendered thus far for the preparation of the inaugural summit scheduled to be hosted by the Kingdom in October this year,” he said.
“I am confident that we can work together with the Kingdom to ensure the success of the summit. With more than 600 million (people) in the ASEAN countries, and 60 million people in the Gulf region, the summit could potentially elevate and reshape the dynamics of the ASEAN-GCC relations.”
Speaking at the Malaysian National Day celebration in Riyadh on Wednesday night, the ambassador said: “It is a privilege to welcome you all to commemorate Malaysia’s National Day 2023. I am particularly honored with the presence of Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, mayor of Riyadh, as we celebrate 66 years of independence, progress, peace and prosperity.”
He added: “Throughout these years, Malaysia continues to pursue an independent, principled and pragmatic foreign policy, founded on the values of peace, humanity, justice, and equality. Malaysia’s foreign policy is largely influenced and shaped by three key factors, its strategic location in Southeast Asia, its attributes as a trading nation, as well as its unique multiracial demography.”
Under the leadership of new Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Malaysia’s foreign policy approaches are now based on the concept of Malaysia Madani, or Civil Malaysia, that emphasizes good governance, sustainable development and multiracial harmony, he said.
“Malaysia will continue to uphold the principles of engagement and cooperation, and the concept of peaceful co-existence. Focus will also be given to climate change, digital economy, health diplomacy, cybersecurity, and sustainable development, to name a few,” Wan Abdullah said.
“Saudi Arabia enjoys a special status in the context of Malaysia’s bilateral ties with countries in the West Asia region. The Kingdom was one of the countries that sent representatives to Malaysia during its proclamation of independence on Aug. 31, 1957. I can proudly say that the relations between the two countries have progressed tremendously and it has always been a special one.
“This is evidenced by the fact that in less than a year since I assumed my responsibility as the ambassador here, I have witnessed the presence of the king of Malaysia, the prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, (the) foreign minister, and the deputy foreign minister in the Kingdom. These visits are a manifestation of close friendly ties deep-rooted in a shared history, and nourished through growing economic partnership, multi-sectoral cooperation and vibrant people-to-people contact,” he added.
“To this effect, Malaysia continues work toward deepening and strengthening our relations with the Kingdom to a far greater extent by exploring many other possible areas of cooperation, along with the Saudi Vision 2030.”
Saudi Arabia is Malaysia’s largest trading partner among the West Asian countries. “The total bilateral trade between the two countries in 2022 was recorded at $10.26 billion, an increase of 159.2 percent from 2021,” Wan Abdullah said.
The Kingdom’s prominent economic presence in Malaysia is currently led by the Saudi Aramco through the Pengerang Integrated Complex in the southern state of Johor, under a $27 billion deal with the Malaysian petroleum company PETRONAS.
Other Saudi key players in Malaysia are Al-Rajhi Bank and a 25 percent stake owned by Saudi Telecom Co. in Maxis Berhad.
“I am also pleased to share that both Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have explored military-to-military cooperation,” said Wan Abdullah.
“Officials from both countries have benefitted from various training programs in security and intelligence matters conducted by both sides through technical cooperation programs. I had the privilege of visiting the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition Center last month where we agreed on further collaboration, strategic initiatives in combating terrorism.”
Among the remarkable progress in bilateral relations this year was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, or JAKIM, and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority last May, on mutual recognition of halal certificates for local products.
Through this MoC, goods and products manufactured in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia that have the certificates issued by both the SFDA’s Saudi Halal Center and JAKIM are now mutually recognized.
In education, Malaysia has been a good host for a growing number of students from the Saudi Arabia.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to appreciate the Kingdom for the newly increased number of scholarships granted to Malaysian students annually, from 300 to 700, to further their education in the Kingdom under King Salman’s scholarship program,” said Wan Abdullah.


Grape and Pomegranate Festival to begin in Taif on Wednesday  

Grape and Pomegranate Festival to begin in Taif on Wednesday  
Updated 25 September 2023
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Grape and Pomegranate Festival to begin in Taif on Wednesday  

Grape and Pomegranate Festival to begin in Taif on Wednesday  
  • The festival includes a display of grape and pomegranate crops and products, as well as activities on the festival stage over four days

RIYADH: The Grape and Pomegranate Festival will begin on Wednesday under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Nahar Al-Saud, governor of Taif, with various activities at Al-Hokair Park.

The festival aims to highlight the diversity of seasonal agricultural products in Taif governorate and to support farmers and encourage them to market their agricultural products.

The festival includes a display of grape and pomegranate crops and products, as well as activities on the festival stage over four days.

Majid bin Abdullah Al-Khalif, director general of the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Makkah region, said that the festival was held under the supervision of the ministry in Taif.

The director of the ministry's office in Taif, Hani bin Abdul Rahman Al-Qadi, stressed the ministry’s keenness to support farmers and encourage them to increase production, in addition to highlighting the importance of marketing their agricultural products through festivals.

Al-Khalif and Al-Qadi said that they appreciated the interest of the governor of Taif in developing the agricultural sector, supporting stimulating initiatives to increase agricultural production, and his sponsorship of the Taif Grape and Pomegranate Festival.

Fruits such as figs, cherries, grapes and pomegranates are among the well-known produce grown in Taif. Roses, which are grown on more than 700 farms, are another well-known export.


Saudi students showcase ‘virtual classroom’ Metaverse project

Saudi students showcase ‘virtual classroom’ Metaverse project
Updated 25 September 2023
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Saudi students showcase ‘virtual classroom’ Metaverse project

Saudi students showcase ‘virtual classroom’ Metaverse project
  • Allows faculty and students to engage and interact with the content
  • Ahmed Khoja and Abdulaziz Hashem created immersive environment

RIYADH: Students at the College of Architecture and Planning at King Abdulaziz University recently unveiled their latest project called “Building in the Metaverse,” which allows faculty and students in the education field to engage and interact with the content.

Students Ahmed Khoja and Abdulaziz Hashem used virtual reality technology to create the fully immersive environment.

Hashem said that while “colleges and universities have not fully embraced the concept yet, they may explore its potential for creating virtual classrooms and lecture halls.”

Khoja said the project aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan to improve quality of life, develop cultural infrastructure such as museums, enhance tourism, and enable Saudi artists to reach global audiences.

Despite the challenges, Hashem and Khoja said that these technologies could reduce material costs significantly.

The Metaverse is a virtual reality realm where users can engage with each other in an interactive environment to transcend the limitations of the physical world.

It encompasses group video games that allow players to convene, compete, and collaborate within virtual worlds. Additionally, it can be utilized for learning, social networking, exhibitions and e-commerce.

It could allow an unlimited number of participants, and see products displayed and sold using digital currency.


Saudi Arabia agency wins global prize for efficient government spending

Saudi Arabia agency wins global prize for efficient government spending
Updated 25 September 2023
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Saudi Arabia agency wins global prize for efficient government spending

Saudi Arabia agency wins global prize for efficient government spending
  • EXPRO took top spot at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Excellence in Procurement Awards in London

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has won a global award for efficient government spending and allocation of resources aimed at growing the country’s economy in alignment with the Vision 2030 plan.

The Kingdom’s Expenditure and Project Efficiency Authority took the top spot at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Excellence in Procurement Awards that took place in London recently.

The CIPS granted EXPRO the award in the category Best Procurement Transformation Program, for the project “SpendVision.”

The CIPS is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to upholding excellence in procurement and supply chains, with over 200,000 international experts in the field.

EXPRO’s winning project outlines the strategic initiatives undertaken in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Finance and the National Center for Government Resource Systems.

The project was designed to address challenges, including significant price variations, lack of transparency, non-standardized products, lengthy procurement processes, limited supplier commitment, and optimizing expenditure efficiency for government entities.

EXPRO’s CEO Abdulrazzag Al-Aujan said: “This honor reflects the synergistic endeavors of our partners across various government sectors, who have pioneered groundbreaking methods to amplify the efficiency of government expenditure in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”

The work undertaken by EXPRO resulted in over 500 government entities overcoming challenges in procurement processes, and standardizing products and services, said Al-Aujan.


Najran health dept conducts over 62,000 rehabilitation sessionss

Najran health dept conducts over 62,000 rehabilitation sessionss
Updated 25 September 2023
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Najran health dept conducts over 62,000 rehabilitation sessionss

Najran health dept conducts over 62,000 rehabilitation sessionss

RIYADH: Najran’s health department provided over 62,366 treatment sessions for patients in the first half of the year, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The sessions took place at the primary healthcare center in Al-Mashaliyah.

There were 45,733 sessions for physical therapy, and 14,146 for physical medicine and rehabilitation. In addition there 2,487 for occupational therapy, with the provision of 14 prosthetic limbs and 2,344 auxiliary splints.


KSrelief, UNICEF sign agreement

KSrelief, UNICEF sign agreement
Updated 25 September 2023
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KSrelief, UNICEF sign agreement

KSrelief, UNICEF sign agreement
  • Under the agreement, KSrelief and UNICEF will work to strengthen strategic partnerships between the two sides

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Monday signed a joint agreement with UNICEF to protect children’s rights around the world.

KSrelief general supervisor, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, and executive director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, signed the agreement on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, SPA reported.

Under the agreement, KSrelief and UNICEF will work to strengthen strategic partnerships between the two sides, provide humanitarian aid and exchange experiences, in addition to supporting volunteer programs.

Following the signing, Al-Rabeeah stressed the Kingdom’s keenness to reach vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families through UNICEF projects. Russell expressed UNICEF’s gratitude for the partnership with Saudi Arabia, saying that it would help the organization reach millions of children in need in the world.

This agreement comes within the framework of KSrelief’s aim to enhance cooperation with international and regional humanitarian organizations to develop humanitarian work in various sectors.