Grant Shapps, UK’s Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, met with Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Communications, Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Strengthening UK-Saudi Arabia collaboration

The two ministers discussed the expansion of the strategic partnership between their countries in the fields of science, technology, and space. The meeting highlights the growing cooperation between the UK and Saudi Arabia in these areas.

In addition to his meeting with the UK minister, Al-Swaha also held talks with Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Indian federal minister for railways, communications, electronics and information technology. The pair discussed strengthening the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and India in the areas of technology, innovation, and digital entrepreneurship.

The meetings were also attended by Mohammed Al-Tamimi, the Saudi governor of the Communications, Space & Technology Commission. These meetings come after Bandar Alkhorayef, the Saudi minister of industry and mineral resources, appeared on a panel with Shapps at the Future Minerals Forum held in Riyadh earlier in January.

The ministers discussed the need for immediate collective action to combat climate change and achieve net-zero emissions during a discussion titled “Lands of Opportunity: Enabling Mineral Development in Africa, Western and Central Asia.”

Achieving common goals

Shapps emphasized the importance of international collective action to achieve global goals related to the transition and highlighted the significant scope for cooperation between the UK and Saudi Arabia in the clean-energy sector.

The growing cooperation between the UK and Saudi Arabia in science, technology, and space, as discussed by UK Business Minister Grant Shapps and Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Communications Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, presents significant opportunities for the UK business sector.

The UK is known for its advanced technology, research and development and expertise in the field of space and science, and the expansion of the strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia opens up new opportunities for UK businesses to access the Saudi market and collaborate with Saudi companies.

The UK’s clean-energy sector is also set to benefit from this partnership as the two countries agreed to work together to combat climate change and achieve net-zero emissions. This means that UK companies operating in the clean energy sector, such as renewable energy and energy efficiency businesses, will have the opportunity to participate in projects and initiatives in Saudi Arabia that support the transition to cleaner energy sources.

Furthermore, this partnership could also lead to the creation of new jobs and investment opportunities in the UK, as Saudi companies may look to invest in UK businesses and establish partnerships and joint ventures with UK firms.

The expansion of the strategic partnership between the UK and Saudi Arabia in the fields of science, technology, and space presents significant opportunities for the UK business sector in terms of market access, collaboration and investment, as well as job and economic growth.

The UK and Saudi Arabia have a strong and long-standing partnership that encompasses trade, investment, defense, security, and energy. Both countries recognize the importance of maintaining this relationship for vital national security and economic interests.

Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’ initiative is a positive development that includes social reform and improved human rights, as well as opportunities for the UK economy. One example of this potential is collaboration in the field of space-based solar power.