Saudi Arabia-Japan Business Forum begins in Riyadh

[Saif al-Arab]

SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia-Japan Business Forum begins in Riyadh
MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN | Published — Sunday 14 January 2018

Hiroshige Seko and Majid Al-Qassabi

RIYADH: The Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko will lead a trade delegation of 60 Japanese companies at the Saudi Arabia-Japan Business Forum on Sunday in Riyadh under the co-chairmanship of Saudi Commerce and Investment Minister Majid Al-Qasabi.
The forum has been organized by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) to discuss investment partnerships under the banner of “Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030.”
Ahmed Almusained, PR and media manager of SAGIA, told Arab News that the SAGIA will also host the “Invest in Saudi Arabia” exhibition during the forum, which will highlight the investment opportunities the Kingdom offers in various regions, and it will be attended by public sector leaders, businessmen, economists, and innovators.
According to a statement from SAGIA, its governor, Ibrahim bin Abdul Rahman Al-Omar, will also attend the event which will be held at Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh.
The 60 Japanese companies represent the energy, electricity, infrastructure, logistics, health, entertainment, agriculture and food, information technology, and banking and financial services sectors in Japan.
Japan is considered a key trade partner of the Kingdom. The volume of trade between the two countries reached SR117.9 billion ($31.43 billion) in 2015. Saudi exports to Japan stood at SR80.6 billion. Saudi imports from Japan reached SR37.2 billion, a trade balance of SR43.3 billion in favor of the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1225271/saudi-arabia

In other news;

Saudi Arabian ‘Roads of Arabia’ exhibition set to display 466 rare artifacts in Tokyo
ARAB NEWS | Published — Friday 12 January 2018

RIYADH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) is preparing to launch the “Roads of Arabia — Saudi Archaeological Masterpieces Through the Ages” exhibition, at the National Museum in Tokyo, Japan on Jan. 29.
Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the SCTH, continues preparations for this event, one of the most important events organized by the Kingdom in Japan, in cooperation with the Saudi Embassy in Tokyo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Media, and Saudi Aramco, the sponsor of the exhibition.
The exhibition will feature 466 rare archaeological pieces that highlight the rich history and cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia from the Stone Age to the current modern state.
The National Museum in Tokyo will be the exhibition’s 14th stop after it was hosted by four European countries (France, Spain, Germany and Russia), five US cities, two Asian countries (China and South Korea) and the local cities of Dhahran and Riyadh.
The exhibition at the National Museum in Riyadh opened its doors for 50 days, closing on Dec. 26, 2017. More than 300,000 people visited it.
Riyadh is the second city to host the Roads of Arabia exhibition at the national level. It was hosted before by the King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran under the patronage of King Salman in December 2016.
Tokyo will be the exhibition’s third stop in Asia, after Beijing and Seoul, within the Asian campaign launched by King Salman, following the remarkable turnout it witnessed on its international tour that started with the Louvre Museum in Paris in 2010.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1223811/saudi-arabia

More than 1 million people from abroad (West and Asia) have visited the "Roads of Arabia" exhibition. From New York to now Tokyo.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Saudi Arabia, Japan Discuss Bilateral Ties

Last updated: 1/4/2018 12:56 PM

Undersecretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political and Economic Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Adel Siraj Mirdad received here today Japan's Ambassador to the Kingdom Tsukasa Uemura.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them.

http://www.mofa.gov.sa/sites/mofaen...nistryNews/Pages/ArticleID20181412530891.aspx

Saudi-Japanese Forum symbolizes growing bilateral ties
13 Jan, 2018

Riyadh

The Saudi-Japanese Business Forum will be hosted by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority in Riyadh Sunday, in the presence of Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hirocheiji Seko, and SAGIA Governor Ibrahim Al-Omar, along with leaders of the government and economical sectors in both countries.
The Forum underscores the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan that was initiated more than 60 years ago. These relations have witnessed a quantum leap in recent times, resulting in many bilateral agreements and several two-way visits between leaders and officials of both countries. These relations have grown in the era of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque King Salman bin Abdulaziz, leading to launch of the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030.
The Forum will discuss ways to initiate effective partnerships for boosting qualitative investments between the Kingdom and Japan and developing the sectors that hold the most promise.
Japan is considered among the leading industrial countries in the world. Japan’s decision-makers have never overlooked the role and position of the Kingdom as an important and strong country capable of making a difference in the global economy. This has led to an increase in the number of Japanese companies investing in Saudi Arabia, reaching 96 by October 2017, with a total capital exceeding SR 53 billion. To further enhance this relationship, the Kingdom granted six investment licenses to a number of a number of Japanese companies and Saudi-Japan joint ventures in 2017 in the service sector.
The rapid growth in the relations between the two countries has been attributed to the historic visit paid by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Japan in March 2017. The visit has been considered a strong support for the development of economic cooperation between the two countries. The visit has also resulted in signing many agreements and partnerships between the two sides.
The agreement between the Saudi and Japanese governments on Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 was the most significant one signed during the visit of King Salman to Japan. The agreement will push the Saudi-Japanese relations to a new phase of a comprehensive strategic partnership, going beyond the ties confined to oil exports and car imports.
During the visit, both sides had stressed the need for activating the previous bilateral agreements signed, along with getting leaders of the Japanese side acquainted with opportunities within Saudi Vision 2030. How the Kingdom can participate in implementing its ambitious vision goals that will benefit both countries was also discussed. In addition, both sides agreed to establish a special economic zone in the Kingdom to implement a number of joint projects between Saudi Arabia and Japan.
The partnership between the two countries was first renewed when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman paid an official visit to Japan in September 2016. He met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to and laid the grounds for a developed partnership between the two countries. This official visit had resulted in establishing a joint group to work on the areas of cooperation under the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030. The first meeting of the group was held in Riyadh on October 9, 2016. Both sides decided to work towards achieving the social and economic vision though maximizing bilateral cooperation. .
More than 60 Japanese companies will participate in the Business Forum. They represent key sectors, such as energy, electricity, infrastructure, logistics, health, entertainment, agriculture and food, information technology, banking and financial services. An exhibition will also be held, under the title, “Invest in KSA,” featuring investment opportunities in all sectors in the Kingdom.
Under Saudi Vision 2030 and its strategy to grow relations with Japan, the Kingdom spares no efforts to diversify and enhance its economy by taking advantage of the technological and industrial revolution in Japan. The Kingdom is seeking to fulfill the Vision by utilizing Japanese knowhow and technological advances.
Saudi Arabia is Japan’s main provider of oil, securing its basic needs for energy. Saudi Arabia is also helping Japan develop its high value investments in the Kingdom.
The two sides are currently working to create a more conducive environment for implementing the Saudi-Japan Vision through four main dimensions: regulations, incentives, regulatory support, and human capital.
According to official statistics, about 96 percent of the Japanese investments are heavily concentrated in the industrial sector, particularly in petrochemical industries. The number of Saudis working in Japanese companies operating in Saudi Arabia has reached 48 percent. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is ranked among the top ten trading partners of Japan, which in turn, is the third largest trading partner of the Kingdom. There are also a number of joint projects between the two countries. The Kingdom is the top among countries supplying Japan with crude oil and its derivatives. This represents one-third of Japan’s crude oil imports.

http://alriyadhdaily.com/article/50dbddc81e6d4172a1538468c33433c0

 

[The SC]

Saudi Arabia, Japan Discuss Bilateral Ties

Last updated: 1/4/2018 12:56 PM

Undersecretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political and Economic Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Adel Siraj Mirdad received here today Japan's Ambassador to the Kingdom Tsukasa Uemura.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them.

http://www.mofa.gov.sa/sites/mofaen...nistryNews/Pages/ArticleID20181412530891.aspx

Saudi-Japanese Forum symbolizes growing bilateral ties
13 Jan, 2018

Riyadh

The Saudi-Japanese Business Forum will be hosted by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority in Riyadh Sunday, in the presence of Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hirocheiji Seko, and SAGIA Governor Ibrahim Al-Omar, along with leaders of the government and economical sectors in both countries.
The Forum underscores the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan that was initiated more than 60 years ago. These relations have witnessed a quantum leap in recent times, resulting in many bilateral agreements and several two-way visits between leaders and officials of both countries. These relations have grown in the era of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque King Salman bin Abdulaziz, leading to launch of the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030.
The Forum will discuss ways to initiate effective partnerships for boosting qualitative investments between the Kingdom and Japan and developing the sectors that hold the most promise.
Japan is considered among the leading industrial countries in the world. Japan’s decision-makers have never overlooked the role and position of the Kingdom as an important and strong country capable of making a difference in the global economy. This has led to an increase in the number of Japanese companies investing in Saudi Arabia, reaching 96 by October 2017, with a total capital exceeding SR 53 billion. To further enhance this relationship, the Kingdom granted six investment licenses to a number of a number of Japanese companies and Saudi-Japan joint ventures in 2017 in the service sector.
The rapid growth in the relations between the two countries has been attributed to the historic visit paid by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Japan in March 2017. The visit has been considered a strong support for the development of economic cooperation between the two countries. The visit has also resulted in signing many agreements and partnerships between the two sides.
The agreement between the Saudi and Japanese governments on Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 was the most significant one signed during the visit of King Salman to Japan. The agreement will push the Saudi-Japanese relations to a new phase of a comprehensive strategic partnership, going beyond the ties confined to oil exports and car imports.
During the visit, both sides had stressed the need for activating the previous bilateral agreements signed, along with getting leaders of the Japanese side acquainted with opportunities within Saudi Vision 2030. How the Kingdom can participate in implementing its ambitious vision goals that will benefit both countries was also discussed. In addition, both sides agreed to establish a special economic zone in the Kingdom to implement a number of joint projects between Saudi Arabia and Japan.
The partnership between the two countries was first renewed when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman paid an official visit to Japan in September 2016. He met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to and laid the grounds for a developed partnership between the two countries. This official visit had resulted in establishing a joint group to work on the areas of cooperation under the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030. The first meeting of the group was held in Riyadh on October 9, 2016. Both sides decided to work towards achieving the social and economic vision though maximizing bilateral cooperation. .
More than 60 Japanese companies will participate in the Business Forum. They represent key sectors, such as energy, electricity, infrastructure, logistics, health, entertainment, agriculture and food, information technology, banking and financial services. An exhibition will also be held, under the title, “Invest in KSA,” featuring investment opportunities in all sectors in the Kingdom.
Under Saudi Vision 2030 and its strategy to grow relations with Japan, the Kingdom spares no efforts to diversify and enhance its economy by taking advantage of the technological and industrial revolution in Japan. The Kingdom is seeking to fulfill the Vision by utilizing Japanese knowhow and technological advances.
Saudi Arabia is Japan’s main provider of oil, securing its basic needs for energy. Saudi Arabia is also helping Japan develop its high value investments in the Kingdom.
The two sides are currently working to create a more conducive environment for implementing the Saudi-Japan Vision through four main dimensions: regulations, incentives, regulatory support, and human capital.
According to official statistics, about 96 percent of the Japanese investments are heavily concentrated in the industrial sector, particularly in petrochemical industries. The number of Saudis working in Japanese companies operating in Saudi Arabia has reached 48 percent. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is ranked among the top ten trading partners of Japan, which in turn, is the third largest trading partner of the Kingdom. There are also a number of joint projects between the two countries. The Kingdom is the top among countries supplying Japan with crude oil and its derivatives. This represents one-third of Japan’s crude oil imports.

http://alriyadhdaily.com/article/50dbddc81e6d4172a1538468c33433c0

I was anticipating this civilian sectors close cooperation with Japan.. since it is an industrial giant and one of the most advanced civilian high tech countries.. also their discipline and seriousness in work is legendary.. That is also something to be transferred hopefully.. it is priceless..
Also one should understand that military cooperation will be quite limited, since the Japanese are very strict when it comes to arms dealing.. they are the most difficult negotiators and most important of all, they never sign, or offer an out of contract exit policy.. so the other side will have to withdraw without any benefits and most likely bear the consequences with a lot of losses.. but then, signing military contracts with Japan usually takes a very long time and incredible efforts..where everything should be clear for both sides from the beginning.. in other words, once engaged, there is no retreat.. or the other side bears all the consequences..
The Nuclear technology sector is very advanced in Japan.. It should be one of the sectors where ToT should be seeked.. but it seems that Saudi Arabia will seek the Japanese nuclear tech combined with the US one through the US-Japanese consortium it is negotiating with in the US to build nuclear plants in KSA..

Very good news indeed..

 

[MultaniGuy]

A good initiative. I wish the best for Saudi Arabia.

It is good that Saudi Arabia is looking East instead of West.

 

[PeninsulaFalcon]

also their discipline and seriousness in work is legendary.. That is also something to be transferred hopefully.. it is priceless.

One of the causes which led to the downturn of the Islamic civilisation was the absence of aspiration to inspect other nations, to understand other people, to engage with them both in knowledge and trade. The responsibility is not to purely acquire knowledge, but to put it into effect what which is good. JPN is one of the few countries which we have much to learn from in order to re-connect, especialy their work ethic and attitude of discipline.

 

[The SC]

One of the causes which led to the downturn of the Islamic civilisation was the absence of aspiration to inspect other nations, to understand other people, to engage with them both in knowledge and trade. The responsibility is not to purely acquire knowledge, but to put it into effect what which is good. JPN is one of the few countries which we have much to learn from in order to re-connect, especialy their work ethic and attitude of discipline.

I agree with you on much of it, but one should see things in their time and space context; The Muslim civilisation at its zenith had no competition on this planet, and indeed they did connect with the most advanced other civilisation, namely the Chinese one.. and quite closely..
Today we can see a nice general Muslim move in opening up to the most advanced and other developing countries.. and cooperating with them on many aspects of modern civilisation..

 

[MultaniGuy]

I agree with you on much of it, but one should see things in their time and space context; The Muslim civilisation at its zenith had no competition on this planet, and indeed they did connect with the most advanced other civilisation, namely the Chinese one.. and quite closely..
Today we can see a nice general Muslim move in opening up to the most advanced countries.. and cooperating with them on many aspects of modern civilisation..

In this day and age it is Muslims going around the world learning from others.

Hopefully we can go back to our own societies and fix them.

 

[The SC]

In this day and age it is Muslims going around the world learning from others.

Hopefully we can go back to our own societies and fix them.

Yes, obviously.. but my comment was just a historical reminder of the context the previous poster talked about..
You are right on target about Muslim societies nowadays and the need for reforms and learning _or to put it mildly but truly re-learning what was once ours_ from others.. there is no shame in it and we have the advantage of solid foundations..

 

[Saif al-Arab]

I was anticipating this civilian sectors close cooperation with Japan.. since it is an industrial giant and one of the most advanced civilian high tech countres.. also their discipline and seriousness in work is legendary.. That is also something to be transferred hopefully.. it is priceless..
Also one should understand that military cooperation will be quite limited, since the Japanese are very strict when it comes to arms dealing.. they are the most difficult negotiators and most important of all, they never sign, or offer an out of contract exit policy.. so the other side will have to withdraw without any benefits and most likely bear the consequences with a lot of losses.. but then, signing military contracts with Japan usually takes a very long time and incredible efforts..where everything should be clear for both sides from the beginning.. in other words, once engaged, there is no retreat.. or the other side bears all the consequences..
The Nuclear technology sector is very advanced in Japan.. It should be one of the sectors where Tot should be seeked.. but it seems that Saudi Arabia will seek the Japanese nuclear tech combined with the US one through the US-Japanese consortium it is negotiating with in the US to build nuclear plants in KSA..

Very good news indeed..

Definitely. Japan is probably the most incredible story in terms of sustainable modernization witness in the past 150 years. From being one of the most isolated and closed off countries in the world to a leader on numerous fronts and the 3rd largest economy in the world (for decades - at one point the second largest in the world), is an amazing story. So is that of South Korea which was severely impoverished in the early 1950's but is now a power on its own on many levels.

KSA should do everything in its power to learn from Japan on every front and bolster relations on every front.

This is why MbS teaming up with Softbank when it comes to the Aramco IPO, NEOM and in general Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, is so important.

It does not hurt that Japan is seen favorable in KSA due to many reasons one of such is something as simple as many manga fans and gamers.

One of the causes which led to the downturn of the Islamic civilisation was the absence of aspiration to inspect other nations, to understand other people, to engage with them both in knowledge and trade. The responsibility is not to purely acquire knowledge, but to put it into effect what which is good. JPN is one of the few countries which we have much to learn from in order to re-connect, especialy their work ethic and attitude of discipline.

That is spot on and well put.

Work ethic in particular must be improved and the percentage of women in the working force must also reach the goals stated in Saudi Arabia Vision 2030.

 

[The SC]

Definitely. Japan is probably the most incredible story in terms of sustainable modernization witness in the past 150 years. From being one of the most isolated and closed off countries in the world to a leader on numerous fronts and the 3rd largest economy in the world (for decades - at one point the second largest in the world), is an amazing story. So is that of South Korea which was severely impoverished in the early 1950's but is now a power on its own on many levels.

KSA should do everything in its power to learn from Japan on every front and bolster relations on every front.

This is why MbS teaming up with Softbank when it comes to the Aramco IPO, NEOM and in general Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, is so important.

It does not hurt that Japan is seen favorable in KSA due to many reasons one of such is something as simple as many manga fans and gamers.



That is spot on and well put.

Work ethic in particular must be improved and the percentage of women in the working force must also reach the goals stated in Saudi Arabia Vision 2030.

Softbank partnership came to mind as soon as I read the title.. It is already a profitable JV.. and it can be taken as a bench mark of things to come from the overall Saudi Arabia and Japan's strategic partnership..

 

[MultaniGuy]

Good news for Saudi Arabia. Congrats.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

SAUDI ARABIA
‘Japanized’ Saudis astonish business forum’s participants
Noor Nugali | Published — Monday 15 January 2018

Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid Al-Qasabi with Japanese Minister Hiroshige Seko at the Saudi-Japanese Business Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)

Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid Al-Qasabi speaks at the opening session of the Saudi-Japanese Business Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)

Japanese reap rewards as three firms win operational license at business forum in Riyadh
RASHID HASSAN | Published — Monday 15 January 2018

Majid Al-Qasabi & Khalid Al-Faleh with Japanese Minister Hiroshige Seko opening Saudi-Japanese Business Forum in Riyadh. (AN photo by Ahmed Fathi)

Khalid Al-Faleh speaking at Saudi-Japanese Business Forum in Riyadh. (AN photo by Ahmed Fathi)

Majid Al-Qasabi & Khalid Al-Faleh with Japanese Minister Hiroshige Seko at theSaudi-Japanese Business Forum in Riyadh

Khalid Al-Faleh with Japanese Minister Hiroshige Seko touring the exhibition at Saudi-Japanese Business Forum in Riyadh. (AN photo by Ahmed Fathi)

Majid Al-Qasabi speaking at Saudi-Japanese Business Forum in Riyadh. (AN photo by Ahmed Fathi)

RIYADH: Japanese businesses reaped the rewards of investment as Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid Al-Qasabi on Sunday called on them to benefit from the ongoing economic reforms in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030.
Al-Qasabi was speaking at the opening session of the Saudi-Japanese Business Forum held under the banner of “Saudi-Japan Vision 2030” with a focus on bolstering the Saudi-Japan partnership and taking the bilateral cooperation on a steady path of progress.
The major highlight of the day-long forum was Japanese companies winning investment licenses from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), which organized the bilateral forum, and the signing of six Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) involving the government and private-sector entities from the two countries.
At the end of the opening session the new investment licenses were granted to three Japanese companies: The SMBC company working in the field of financial and administrative consultations, the SB Energy company in the field of renewable energy consultancy, and the TADANO for providing scientific and technical services for Saudi agents in the field of industry.
The MoUs signed by the companies from two sides include Saline Water Conversion Corporation and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Japan’s largest public management organization, General Sport Authority, Fujifilm and Mediva, the health care consulting and medical service operation company, General Commission of Audiovisual Media and the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East, Saudi Stock Exchange and Nomura International, a Japanese financial holding company, Al-Yemani Group and Matsutani Chemical Industry, and Saudi Electricity Company and Tokyo Electric Power Company and Nissan Motors.
Earlier, Al-Qasabi stressed that the Kingdom is considered the most suitable environment for the Japanese business sector. The Kingdom provides all potentials and opportunities for expansion in the markets of the Middle East and Africa in a manner that will allow investors achieve the highest profit rates with minimum risks in a suitable environment and advanced infrastructure, he added.
He also underscored that the Saudi and Japanese parties will jointly explore what has been achieved in the joint Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030 and aim to remove obstacles encountering businessmen in both countries.
He called on the Japanese side to follow the latest reforms on the investment environment in the Kingdom.
Joining him in the opening session, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih said the meeting comes at a time when the two countries have a responsible role in the international community toward issues of peace and global economy and their continued pursuit to revive the economy and enrich the globe with unique experience in construction, industry, technology, and research.
Highlighting the significance of bilateral partnership in the energy sector, Al-Falih said the Kingdom’s reliability in the production of energy had enabled the country to meet 35 percent to 40 percent of Japan’s energy requirements over the years.
“Our partnership with Japan’s refining, marketing and chemicals sectors through Shua Shell Refinery has been continuing for a decade and a half, and Okinawa crude oil storage has helped boost Japan’s oil reserves,” he said.
Further underlining the Kingdom’s plan to raise its production by about 10,000 megawatts by 2023, or about 10 percent of the country’s total energy production, the minister said that there were great opportunities for cooperation in this field as well.
“The techniques of storing carbon and hydrogen are witnessing a tangible development,” he said, stressing the importance of boosting bilateral cooperation on peaceful use of nuclear energy in the Kingdom. He further said the history of the two countries is full of success and achievements.
Al-Falih expressed happiness overseeing the progress of partnership of Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical in Petro Rabigh Project.
He also praised the role of the Japanese banks in funding activities in the Kingdom, notably the government borrowing activities.
Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko, leading his country’s delegation, said that Japan is at the top of cultures to contribute to the Vision 2030 partnership.
He said that we have full engagements by our companies with 37 B2B MoUs, there are 67 Japanese firms engaged in the Riyadh mission, and that 10,000-plus Saudi engineers and staff are being trained through public-private vocational training.
SAGIA Gov. Ibrahim Al-Omar underlined that the aim of Saudi Vision 2030 was to create promising opportunities for investment and development and its economic objectives include increasing the contribution of foreign investments to 5.7 of the GDP by 2030, as well as raising the contribution of the private sector to 65 percent of the GDP from the current 40 percent.
He said the volume of bilateral trade in the past year amounted to more than SR100 billion, while the number of Japanese companies to invest in the Kingdom, until the end of last year, was 96 with the total investment exceeding SR53 billion.
Tarek bin Abdul Hadi Al-Qahtani, President of the Saudi-Japanese Business Council, said that the volume of development witnessed by the trade and investment movement between the two countries during the
past two decades reflected the strength of the strategic relationship and partnership between them.
“The Kingdom is also one of the attractive countries for investments and has viability for Japanese investment that is expected to rise significantly as part of the implementation of the Saudi-Japanese Joint Vision 2030,” he noted.
Al-Qahtani also highlighted the implementation of initiatives for knowledge exchange, youth projects in both countries, the establishment of a Saudi-Japanese bank, as well as acceleration of the establishment of a Saudi-Japanese company to boost investment in various fields.
The forum was attended by a trade delegation of 60 Japanese companies, led by the Japanese Minister, Nabil Al Amoudi, Minister of Transport, and Princess Reema bint Bandar, President of the Saudi Federation for Community Sports.
The Japanese delegation included Executive Vice President of the Japanese Foreign Trade Organization Yasukazu Aerino and the representative of the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East, C. J. Hirota.
An exhibition under the title “Invest in Saudi Arabia” was also organized on the sidelines of the event.
The forum included four panel discussions on the recent achievement of Tayseer – a SAGIA initiative that aims to secure and stimulate the investment environment for the private sector and to provide the necessary guarantees for the preservation of rights, and also showcased projects funded by the Public Investment Fund including Qidiya, an iconic entertainment destination for Riyadh residents.
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan also announced the signing of a MoU with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Japan’s largest financial group, to promote the development of Saudi youth’s skills in the financial sector as part of the Ministry’s Advanced National Talent Development Program.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1225796/saudi-arabia

SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman meets with Japan’s minister of economy, trade, industry and energy
ARAB NEWS | Published — Sunday 14 January 2018

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman with Japan’s minister of economy, trade, industry and energy. (SPA)


Al-YAMAMA: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman met with Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, Industry and Energy Hiroshige Seko in Al-Yamama Palace in Riyadh on Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
During the meeting, they discussed the areas of effective partnership between the two countries to achieve the Saudi-Japanese vision 2030.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al Qassabi, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Eng. Khalid bin Abdul Aziz Al-Falih, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Nizar Bin Obaid Madani and Adviser to the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Yasser bin Othman Al-Rumayan, Assistant Special Secretary of the King, Tamim bin Abdul Aziz Al-Salem, and Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Tsukasa Imura.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1225446/saudi-arabia

 

[Bubblegum Crisis]

One of the causes which led to the downturn of the Islamic civilisation was the absence of aspiration to inspect other nations, to understand other people, to engage with them both in knowledge and trade. The responsibility is not to purely acquire knowledge, but to put it into effect what which is good. JPN is one of the few countries which we have much to learn from in order to re-connect, especialy their work ethic and attitude of discipline.

^^

Charter Oath

“As the name implies, the text of the Oath consists of five clauses:

By this oath, we set up as our aim the establishment of the national wealth on a broad basis and the framing of a constitution and laws.

1- Deliberative assemblies shall be widely established and all matters decided by open discussion.

2- All classes, high and low, shall be united in vigorously carrying out the administration of affairs of state.

3- The common people, no less than the civil and military officials, shall all be allowed to pursue their own calling so that there may be no discontent.

4- Evil customs of the past shall be broken off and everything based upon the just laws of Nature.

5- Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to strengthen the foundation of imperial rule.”


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_Oath

One of the causes which led to the downturn of the Islamic civilisation was the absence of aspiration to inspect other nations, to understand other people, to engage with them both in knowledge and trade. The responsibility is not to purely acquire knowledge, but to put it into effect what which is good. JPN is one of the few countries which we have much to learn from in order to re-connect, especialy their work ethic and attitude of discipline.

It's the first cause but nothing exceptional. Others as powerful as us - Arabs -have also done exactly the same mistake, by very high vanity :

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/chin...lations-with-ksa-h.516410/page-2#post-9847958


...

 

[Saif al-Arab]

 

[Saif al-Arab]

https://twitter.com/x/status/959052597314322433

https://twitter.com/x/status/959072223729537027

Most of the Japanese women preferred Arabic out of numerous languages. Quite cool but not too surprising given the beauty and richness of Arabic.

@Arabi @Saudi Typhoon @Halimi @Bubblegum Crisis @Gomig-21 @The SC @SALMAN F etc.