The Riyadh Economic Forum—since its inception 18 years ago—to serve as a strategic think tank for discussing national economic issues through a practical, scientific approach and by adopting a unique methodology based on the principle of brainstorming (Think Tank), thereby contributing to the creation of, under the gracious patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
The Forum keeps pace with development requirements and recognizes the private sector’s role in promoting research and studies and feeding them back into the economic sphere, thereby contributing to the development of tools and procedures. We are pleased with what the Forum has achieved during its past sessions andthe trust it has earned among decision-makers.
The Forum reflects the strength of the Saudi economy
For his part, Mr. Ajlan bin Abdulaziz Al-Ajlan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that the ninth session of the Riyadh Economic Forum, to be held next January, coincides with the Kingdom’s presidency of the G20 and its hosting of the summit this coming November, and amid an economic transformation driven by "Vision 2030," which has earned the Kingdom a prominent position among global and regional economies.
Al-Ajlan noted that this timing reflects the resilience and strength of the Saudi economy, highlighting the Forum’s ongoing role in supporting the national economy through the economic studies it has presented throughout its various sessions. He emphasized that holding the summit in Riyadh constitutes a historic event, as it is the first of its kind in the Arab world, explaining that this reflects the Kingdom’s pivotal role at both the regional and international levels.
A leap forward in the development and modernization of the economic structure
Al-Ajlan praised the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques—may God preserve him—for the forum, noting that this comes as no surprise, but rather reaffirms the ongoing support and attention the sector has consistently received, as well as his continuous commitment to supporting the private sector so that it can fulfill its role in achieving economic development and supporting the state’s development programs and plans through strengthening cooperation and partnership relations with government agencies, He noted that throughout its history, the forum has presented a number of economic studies whose recommendations have contributed to a major shift in the development and modernization of the economic structure, noting that the studies presented at the forum had a major impact on bringing about numerous improvements in infrastructure and legislation in certain state institutions, and explaining that this progress coincided with the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve a developmental leap through "Vision 2030."
Al-Ajlan emphasized that the topics of the studies were aligned with the forum’s objectives, namely economic restructuring and the achievement of sustainable economic development to reach growth rates that ensure the well-being of citizens, in accordance with the ambitious goals of the national vision, which enjoys the support and attention from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his Trustworthy Crown Prince—may God protect them.
(5) Themes and studies that enhance human capital
For his part, Hamad bin Ali Al-Shuwaier, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Forum’s Board of Trustees, said that the Forum embodies the government’s support for the private sector and its efforts to activate its role in serving the national economy and achieving sustainable development.
Al-Shuwaier noted that the ninth session of the Forum, which will take place from January 21 to 23, will address five studies: The role of balanced development in encouraging reverse migration; fiscal reforms and their impact on economic development; the role of the nonprofit sector in economic and social development; future jobs in the Kingdom; and environmental problems and their impact on economic and social development.
