Saudi - Japan Investment Forum

The Seventh Ministerial Meeting of the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 was held on Monday in Riyadh.
 It was chaired by the Saudi Minister of Investment, Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ken Saito, and the Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fukazawa Yoichi.
 Numerous esteemed dignitaries and officials from both nations, along with representatives from various government sectors, participated in the meeting to discuss the ways of enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries in various sectors.
 In his opening speech, Al-Falih emphasized the importance of this meeting as the inaugural ministerial gathering of the joint vision following the launch of the second chapter of the vision's journey by the leaders of the two countries. This came during the meeting between His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, in July in Jeddah.
 The Saudi minister stated that the meeting would address and assess summaries of the key accomplishments of the sub-groups within this joint vision.
 He indicated that it would focus on exploring new and sustainable areas of cooperation, highlighting that the Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030 has significantly contributed to the advancement of the Saudi-Japanese partnership since its launch in 2016. He also highlighted that there was expected to be some 600 billion riyals invested in petrochemicals and manufacturing by 2030, providing signifcant oppotunties for companies and indutries up and down the supply chain.
 The collaborative efforts of the diverse sub-groups within the joint vision have further fostered the enhancement of the partnership in areas of mutual interest to both countries, he said.
 At the conclusion of the meeting, the minutes were signed, encompassing various joint initiatives and work programs.
 Meanwhile, the Saudi-Japan Investment Forum was held on the same day, attended by esteemed dignitaries and over 400 representatives from the public and private sectors of both Saudi Arabia and Japan.
 The forum witnessed the signing of 13 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Japanese entities and companies. These agreements spanned various sectors, including water, financial services, communications, information technology, energy, and healthcare.
 Additionally, three significant projects were announced in the areas of construction technology, tourism, and entertainment.
 The forum featured diverse presentations addressing economic cities and special zones, initiatives and opportunities in public-private partnerships, Japanese cooperation in the Middle East, and the contributions of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to the Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030.
 The forum, through dialogue sessions, delved into the prospects and potential collaborations between the Kingdom and Japan in the healthcare and water sectors. It explored the role of technology and innovation in enhancing performance and efficiency.
 The discussions also highlighted opportunities for promising partnerships in implementing mega projects in the Kingdom, including NEOM, the Red Sea, and Qiddiya.
 The forum concluded with a discussion emphasizing the significance of innovation in the space sector.