Faris Al Rashood 

Arab News, Tokyo

The present round of meetings between Saudi Arabia and Japan has been more focused and expansive because it presented myriad new ideas submitted by working groups, said Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, Saudi minister of economy and planning.

Speaking exclusively to Arab News after a meeting with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, on the eve of Wednesday’s Saudi-Japan Business Forum, Al-Tuwaijri said these ideas are of interest to the private sector in both countries.

“There has recently been a focus on vital sectors between the two countries,” he added, citing the energy, infrastructure, logistics, finance and tourism sectors.

Highlighting opportunities for Japanese investors in Saudi Arabia, Al-Tuwaijri said Japan has vast experience in the field of infrastructure, especially in terms of transportation.

“The Japanese also have a great track record in the fields of investment and finance. We now have in Saudi Arabia a very large and ambitious project, Vision 2030, which is concerned with giant projects aimed at diversifying the Saudi economy, and needs a lot of solutions in various fields such as infrastructure, the health sector, airports, smart cities, desalination etc.,” he said.

“We look forward to a strategic partnership with Japan benefiting the Japanese private sector wishing to invest in specific opportunities in Saudi Arabia, while at the same time bringing viable and comprehensive solutions to Vision 2030 in its various aspects.”

In turn, the Saudi private and public sectors will examine potential investment opportunities in Japan, he said, adding: “That is why we look at the issue of exchange not just from one side.”

Al-Tuwaijri was part of a Saudi delegation that met Tokyo’s governor on Tuesday. He said the meeting discussed how the Kingdom can benefit from Tokyo’s experience as a cosmopolitan city, and Japan’s experience in infrastructure projects.

The Japan External Trade Organization, the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East, and the Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority are working together to hold the Saudi-Japan Business Forum.

Under the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030, SAGIA, JETRO and JCCME are working together to hold Saudi-Japan Vision Business Forum.