PARIS: Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has successfully carried out his mandate to convince Paris and Washington of the Kingdom’s determination to transform its economy as outlined in Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020, a local publication reported Tuesday.
In his tour of the United States, he signed several agreements with some of the world’s leading companies including Microsoft, Facebook and Cisco; and boosted bilateral ties by meeting with President Barack Obama and other politicians in Washington.
This month, Saudi Arabia granted an operational license to major US firm Dow Chemical Company and materials manufacturer 3M, with the expectation of Pfizer to follow. Dow Chemical Company became the first foreign firm to be awarded a trading license from the Saudi government with 100 percent ownership.
Saudi Arabia’s deal with Microsoft will see them train young Saudis and support the country in its ambitious digital and knowledge-based innovation transformation under Vision 2030. Another pact was signed with Cisco to help develop the digital infrastructure in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has been in talks with theme park companies for investments in culture and entertainment in the Kingdom. This included Prince Mohammed’s meeting with US theme park giant Six Flags and SeaWorld.
In Paris on a two-day trip, he met with the country’s top politicians and businesspeople and signed various deals in defense and technology. There has been a significant interest on the French side to invest in the Kingdom. He has also successfully countered the stereotypical view of the Kingdom, the report said.
There has also been a mutual commitment to tackle challenges facing the Middle East, particularly Iran, terrorism, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. Paris has responded with several new appointments, with Francois Goyte as ambassador and Maren Gelle, head of AUDUS company, as the head of an investment body focusing on the Kingdom.
Vision 2030 carried to Washington, Paris
Vision 2030 carried to Washington, Paris
