A transformative vision - Saudi Arabia celebrates
Pictured at the celebration are (l-r) Lindiwe Sisulu, SA Minister of Tourism, Bheki Cele, SA Minister of Police and Sultan Al Angari, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to South Africa (photo: TDS)
26 September 2022
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is currently witnessing great development in all fields in line with the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030. It is important to note that the strategic Vision is built around three primary pillars which are a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. Simply put, Vision 2030 is a unique transformative social and economic reform program that is opening KSA up to the world, enriching the lives of the Saudi citizen and fulfilling the KSA’s vast potential," said Sultan Al Angari, Ambassador of KSA to South Africa at a reception celebrating the 92nd National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in South Africa.
Al Angari paid solemn tribute to the founding fathers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with pride for their vision and appreciation for their sacrifices that have guided the country onto the path of progress and prosperity. Remembering the glorious history of the Kingdom Al Angari acknowledged the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al- Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman.
The Ambassador expressed his joy of celebrating this auspicious occasion, socially gathering together without masks, and face to face after the two years of unprecedented restrictions caused by the corona virus pandemic. Saudi Arabia contributed U$D 600 million to various international and regional programs as part of its global initiative in combating the virus and highlighted the need for enhanced support for healthcare during its presidency of the G20 in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic.
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Responding to carbon reduction and carbon neutrality, the Kingdom presented 60 initiatives and measures that will bring it in line with targets set. The Green Saudi Arabia and Middle East summit in October 2020 was hosted by the Kingdom with the aim of unifying and strengthening efforts of elevating common environmental commitments to meet the challenges. The Bokpoort CSP, a greenfield Independent Power Project (IPP) led by ACWA POWER, a Saudi Consortium in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, is a solar plant among the most efficient in the world. It is equipped with thermal storage for this size operation and has a 50MW net power output.
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South African Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, chief guest, conveyed congratulatory remarks to the people of Saudi Arabia from the people of South Africa. He noted that according to reports, Saudi Arabia is poised to be ranked as the fastest growing economy at a rate of 7.5%.
“I am happy to inform you that we just opened a new Commercial Attaché in Johannesburg that will help massively in enhancing the trade and investment relations between the two countries,” said Al Angari. With trade reaching 18 billion Saudi Riyal, the Kingdom’s commitment to the deepening strategic and comprehensive relations is evident. The plans for the opening of Ma’aden offices in South Africa, one of the fastest growing mining and materials company in the world and the largest multi-commodity and metals company in the Middle East, is a further boost of confidence for investment in South Africa.
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South Africa and Saudi Arabia are important economies in their respective regions and this provides impetus for deepening cooperation to develop strategic relations, said Cele. The upcoming 9th session of the Joint Commission of SA and KSA will take place in October this year as will South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is indicative of the tangible and substantive exchanges between the two countries.
Congratulating the Saudi’s on a successful Hajj pilgrimage season, Minister Cele also expressed gratitude for increasing the quota for South African pilgrims.
This week South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane was announced as the head coach for Al-Ahli, one of the biggest football clubs in Saudi Arabia adding a new dimension of sporting diplomacy to the already strong relations between the two countries.
TDS