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RIYADH: In a move poised to bolster economic ties between ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ and Singapore, the Kingdom’s Minister of Commerce, Majid Al-Qasabi, led a delegation of 36 officials on a working visit to the Southeast Asian country on Tuesday to explore potential bilateral agreements. 

This visit, which extends until Sept. 27, is a key part of the Saudi-Singaporean Business Forum, focused on boosting trade in goods and services. The forum aims to foster collaboration in emerging industries, enhance digital literacy, and promote entrepreneurship, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. 

The first day of the forum featured crucial discussions covering the Singaporean education system, cooperation in endowments, and opportunities for student skill development. 

Al-Qasabi’s meetings with Singapore’s Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, and Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli, who also oversees Muslim affairs, underscored the potential for partnerships between educational institutions and expanded educational initiatives in both nations. 

Highlighting the significance of modernization, Al-Qasabi explored potential collaborations in the digitization of manufacturing processes, the development of business parks, and the growth of a robust service-oriented economy. 

Both countries also delved into possibilities for joint research initiatives, particularly between ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s National Competitiveness Center and the Asia Competitiveness Institute at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. 

The visit is also intended to discuss the strides made in the implementation of Saudi Vision 2030 and the enhancement of trade relations. 

The forum’s agenda extends to sectors such as e-commerce, logistics, and cutting-edge technologies. 

As part of their itinerary, the delegation will tour various educational academies, innovation centers, and the world’s largest automated port, Tuas, showcasing the mutual commitment of both nations to learning and collaboration across multiple sectors. 

The Saudi delegation comprises representatives from various government agencies, including the ministries of commerce, investment and education as well as health, industry and mineral resources.  

It also includes members from organizations such as the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority and the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence  

Additionally, officials from other prominent players in the Kingdom including the Saudi Business Center, Mawani, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the National Competitiveness Center as well as the National eLearning Center and the Saudi Logistics Academy are part of the delegation.