KSA using its resources to protect region

REAL ADVANCEMENT: Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf addresses the roundtable in London. (SPA)

LONDON: Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf said that Saudi Arabia is not a country that embraces or supports terrorism as some claim, but rather is prepared to invest all its means and resources, financial and human, in order to advance and protect its society and the region as a whole.
He said the scholarship program, which hundreds of thousands of students have taken up to pursue their studies in friendly countries, is a successful program that the Kingdom is using for real advancement, and to protect its stability and the stability of the region.
His remarks came during a roundtable meeting with secretary-general and CEO of the Saudi-British Chamber of Commerce Afnan Al-Shoaibi as well as Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid Al-Qassabi and heads of the largest companies in the United Kingdom.
During the meeting, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry presented its Vision 2030 plan to attendees, and the means the Kingdom is using to achieve real advancement, economically, scientifically and otherwise.
Al-Qassabi said the Kingdom ranks 19th in the world in terms of the size of its economy, and the 4th largest in term of growth, as per G-20 statistics. The Kingdom is the 29th largest importer and 16th largest exporter in the world, which confirms the country’s high standing and leadership in many economic domains.
With a population of 31 million, youths under the age of 25 account for 49 percent of the population, while those aged 35 and under account for 60 percent. This reflects the massive human capital and energy owned by the Kingdom, and hence its decision to invest in these energies and capabilities in order to fuel development and ensure a decent living for all.
He said youths are also highly active on global Internet forums and networks, with the number of Internet users reaching 73 percent. The employment of women has grown by 1,800 percent, which will positively impact on society in many ways.
The minister also presented numbers about economic activity, noting that 19 percent of the national income is a result of government services, 13 percent is from the telecommunications and transport sector and 12 percent from financial and banking services.