Saudi Arabia strategic Projects: news, discussions & updates
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- Start date
The SC
INT'L MOD
- Thread starter
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In an exclusive interview with “Sabq”... the South Korean ambassador: 30 billion dollars “our trade” is with Saudi Arabia.. and we will participate in the Saudi “nuclear” program.
He said that Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Korea strengthened relations... and the Kingdom is developing into an industrial power with a new cultural character..
October 16, 2022
- Soon... Korean companies will build future housing according to Saudi family variables.
We appreciate Saudi Arabia’s efforts in peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in maintaining peace and dialogue in the Middle East.
- K-Pop groups and Korean dramas are very popular and ignite the enthusiasm of Saudi youth.
- Saudi Arabia is an active member of the international community and plays an important role in stabilizing the international energy market.
Our investments in Saudi Arabia amounted to 5.7 billion dollars. Your investments amounted to 2.1 billion dollars, and we want more.
The Arabic language department has been established in 5 Korean universities, and we are waiting for a department for the Korean language and specializations in Saudi universities.
We have 41 joint projects in energy, infrastructure, health, hydrogen, and the establishment of a Saudi bank for small and medium businesses.
- Riyadh, the miracle of the desert, planted trees and green areas with desalinated water transported by a 400 km long pipeline.
- “Saudi Aramco” and “Hyundai of Korea” established a shipbuilding company... and other Korean companies are coming to invest in Saudi projects.
Even after oil, Saudi Arabia will remain influential in the global energy market, especially in the production of green and blue hydrogen.
- The Korean series “Squid Game” ranked first in Saudi Arabia for weeks and gained great fame after its experience in “Riyadh Boulevard.”
- Saudi scholarships in Korea prefer to study information technology, electronics, and electrical engineering.
- I like the way Saudi men treat their families, the paved desert roads, and eating kabsa and dates.
The interview was conducted by Shaqran Al-Rashidi - Photographed by Abdullah Al-Nahit: The Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to the Kingdom, Park Joon-young, said: “Relations between Saudi Arabia and South Korea have developed over the past 60 years as strategic partners. Korea played a central role in developing the infrastructure in the Kingdom.” Saudi Arabia has contributed greatly to Korea's economic development as the largest energy supplier.
He stressed in an interview with “Sabq” that the Kingdom continued to support South Korea’s efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and that it made valuable efforts to promote peace and dialogue in the Middle East.
He pointed out that the Saudi students who studied in Korea during the past years were an important bridge for developing Korean-Saudi relations towards a better future.
He explained that Saudi Arabia is Korea's largest trading partner in the Middle East, and the ninth largest trading partner in the world, and the volume of trade between the two countries this year is expected to reach 30 billion US dollars.
The dialogue addresses a number of important diplomatic, political and economic topics, so here are the details.
Saudi-Korean relations
Q
** Saudi-Korean relations go back to 1962 AD. After 60 years, how do you evaluate the relations between the two countries, and how can they be strengthened?
A
Korea and the Kingdom have developed over the past 60 years as strategic partners. Korea has played a central role in developing the infrastructure in the Kingdom, and the Kingdom has contributed significantly to Korea's economic development as the largest energy supplier. The cooperation relations between the two countries are not limited to the economic field only; The Kingdom has continued to support Korea's efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and South Korea highly appreciates the Kingdom's efforts to promote peace and dialogue in the Middle East. The two countries also cooperate closely with various parties on the international scene, including the United Nations, on key issues such as combating terrorism and nuclear disarmament. As the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, I hope that the scope of their relations will expand to extend to industrialization. , information technology, education, health, culture, tourism and defence. The manufacturing sector represents a strength for Korea, and it is also working to develop its cultural strength. I am confident that Korea can be one of the best partners for the Kingdom. This young country wants to develop into an industrial power and a country with a new cultural character in light of Vision 2030.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Q
** The visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Korea in 2019, and the signing of the Saudi-Korean Vision Memorandum; To what extent did you contribute to making Korea a strategic partner in Vision 2030?
A
The visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the Republic of South Korea in June 2019, and the visit of former President Moon Jae-in at the beginning of this year on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, demonstrated a firm will to strengthen relations between... Both countries are at the highest levels. I believe that the visit of former President Moon to the Kingdom last January confirmed the depth of relations between the two countries, which were not prevented by the Corona pandemic, and cooperation between the two countries continues to implement the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 continuously. This year, the third meeting of the Korean-Saudi Committee for Vision 2030 was held during the visit of the former Korean president to the Kingdom. The government of President Yoon Suk-yeol, which was formed last May, pays great attention to strengthening and strengthening relations with the Kingdom. I hope that the leaders of the two countries will meet in the near future. During this year, a number of Saudi ministers visited Korea, and I look forward to the visit of the Korean ministers responsible for the economy to the Kingdom during this year. I expect that bilateral relations will rise to the level of comprehensive and strategic cooperation this year.
Korean universities
Q
** Korean universities have contributed to the qualification of thousands of Saudi scholarship students in several specializations. What are the most prominent new specializations that Saudis have begun to enroll in?
A
Saudi students who studied in Korea during the past years are a bridge for developing Korean-Saudi relations further in the future. Most Saudi students choose engineering because they prefer the specializations in which Korea is distinguished, such as: (information technology, electronics and electrical engineering, biological sciences, etc.). I hope that we will see an increase in the number of Saudi students studying the humanities and social sciences, and the Korean government will encourage Saudi students to study these. majors because it helps them gain more understanding about Korea, and years ago the Arabic language department was established in 5 universities; Korean, while no Korean language department and Korean specializations have been established in Saudi universities during the past 60 years.
The role of Saudi Arabia
Q
** How do you see Saudi Arabia’s role in addressing global issues in addition to stabilizing the global energy market?
A
The Kingdom, as the only Arab member of the G20, and an active member of the international community; It expands its role in the global economic arena by hosting global meetings in light of mounting concerns about the global recession, inflation and the energy crisis in Europe. The Kingdom is one of the largest oil producing countries in the world, and the ninth largest producer of natural gas in the world. It plays an important role as a stabilizing factor in the international energy market. Recently, the international energy market has become in a very unstable state due to climate change, the end of Corona, the global economic downturn, and the Ukraine crisis. The current oil and natural gas prices place a heavy burden on the economies Countries of the world... The reasons for this are the decline in investment at the source, the lack of refinery facilities, in addition to psychological factors. Oil-consuming countries hope that the producing countries - including the Kingdom - will make efforts to stabilize oil prices at a level lower than the current level, and I also expect that Saudi Arabia greatly influences the global energy market in the post-oil era. Because it is well placed to produce green and blue hydrogen, which is considered an alternative energy to achieve zero carbon emissions.
Saudi-Korean agreement
Q
** In late 2011, a Saudi-Korean agreement was signed to cooperate in research, development, and building peaceful nuclear energy plants.. What is new in this aspect?
A
Korea and the Kingdom continued cooperation regarding large and small nuclear power plants through a memorandum of understanding to establish a partnership for a small nuclear power plant SMART in 2015, and a memorandum of understanding on nuclear regulatory cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy technology in 2016, and the Kingdom has a plan to build two nuclear power plants of the 1.4 GW category. By 2030, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) hopes to participate in this project.
The trade exchange
** The Kingdom is one of the first trading partners of the Republic of Korea in the Middle East. How much is the volume of trade exchange between the two countries?
A
As for South Korea, the Kingdom is the largest trading partner in the Middle East, and the ninth largest trading partner in the world. It is expected that the trade volume between the two countries this year will reach 30 billion US dollars. Korea's main exports are automobiles, rubber, steel, and weapons; While the Kingdom's main exports are crude oil, petroleum products, fine chemical raw materials, and aluminum... If the free trade negotiations between Korea and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which resumed last January, end; It is also expected that the volume of trade between Korea and the Kingdom will increase. In addition, the total volume of direct investment between the two countries reached $7.8 billion until 2020, and Korea’s investments in Saudi Arabia amount to about $5.7 billion, and Saudi Arabia’s investments in Korea are about $2.1 billion.
Climate change
Q
** How do you see the implications of the “Green Saudi Arabia” and “Green Middle East” initiatives in combating climate change and global warming in the world?
A
The “Green Saudi Arabia” and “Green Middle East” initiatives, launched by the Saudi Crown Prince in October 2021 with a total investment of 39 billion riyals, aim to develop the energy markets of Middle Eastern countries, provide clean energy solutions, and reduce carbon emissions. The two initiatives focus on Greening, renewable energy and investing in clean energy to address climate change, which is the biggest global issue.
The Saudi and Korean economy
Q
** Hyundai and Aramco established the International Marine Industries Company, and Saudi Arabia (SAMI) signed cooperation with Korean companies.. What is the impact of such important agreements on the Saudi and Korean economies?
A
Economic cooperation between Korea and Saudi Arabia is expected to extend to diverse sectors such as manufacturing, defense, and culture. Going beyond cooperation based on the construction and energy sectors. Major Korean companies are already investing or planning to invest in the Kingdom, and cooperation in the defense sector is being actively promoted through defense bodies and companies in the two countries, such as the Saudi Military Industries Company and Hanhwa Company.
Projects
Q
** Joint projects between Saudi Arabia and Korea include 41 projects. What are the new sectors nominated for cooperation?
A
As you mentioned, currently, 41 collaborative projects are being promoted in 5 sub-sections: Manufacturing and Energy, Intelligence and Infrastructure, Capacity Building, Health, Small Business and Investment. The main projects include shipyard construction, nuclear energy cooperation, hydrogen and housing, and new city development. And the establishment of the Saudi Small and Medium Business Bank, and it is possible to achieve more cooperation in smart cities, manufacturing, renewable energy, culture and tourism.
Future City “NEOM”
Q
** What are the sectors in which Korean companies can cooperate within the project to build the future city “NEOM”?
A
Korean companies are working on infrastructure projects and mobility-related cooperation in the NEOM project. In July of this year, the alliance of Hyundai Construction Company, Samsung C&T and Archyrodon won a contract to construct part of the current tunnel under construction in NEOM, and Korean contracting companies have a lot of experience in constructing infrastructure such as: (tunnels, skyscrapers, ports, airports, bridges and smart cities), and is highly trusted by the Saudi government. Therefore, there will be many opportunities for cooperation in this field in the future.
Korean experiences in housing
Q
** How can the Kingdom benefit from the leading Korean expertise in the field of housing, real estate development, and residential units at appropriate prices?
A
Korean companies previously implemented the project to establish the residential suburb of Salman Bay in Jeddah, and the residential suburb of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center for Aramco. Currently, GS Building and Construction Company and Al Argan Company are developing a residential complex project that includes 200 residential units in the green oasis in the Kingdom.
Korean art and music
Q
** Regarding the demand for art, music, drama, and performances presented by Korean groups, do you think that this reflects the interest of Saudi youth in Korean culture?
A
Korean culture is very popular in the Kingdom, especially K-Pop, and Korean drama ignites the enthusiasm of Saudi youth. I visited the K-Con concert on September 30th, and witnessed for myself the Saudis’ interest in Korean culture, and the performance of “Super Junior and BTS.” The year 2019 achieved great success, and I am happy that it paved the way for strengthening cooperation in the music field, which was represented by the signing of business agreements, and every week Korean dramas are usually in the top ten among various shows; Especially the series “Squid Game” that was shown last year; It ranked first in Saudi Arabia for several weeks, and gained great fame after the launch of the squid game experience event on “Riyadh Boulevard”... The scope of Saudi youth’s interest in learning about Korean culture is expanding to Korean food, traditional culture, and language.
Mission
Q
** What is the most urgent area that you would like to focus on during your term in Riyadh?
A
Solve the difficulties faced by Korean companies to the benefit of both countries, and advance bilateral relations into a comprehensive strategic cooperative. To reach this goal, I hope that cooperation between the two countries will be diverse and multidimensional, to further enhance trust and friendship between the peoples of the two countries. A better understanding of each other enhances mutual cooperation.
Saudi people
Q
** What was your impression of Saudi Arabia and Saudi society before and after you came there?
A
Before I came to Riyadh, I did not know that the Saudis were very friendly with Korea, and I did not know that there were very few Koreans living in the Kingdom, and I did not know that Saudi men were very interested in family affairs, and I did not know that the Kingdom was a country with a mostly young population. I did not know that a third of the population of Saudi Arabia are foreigners, and I did not know that the Saudi government was working hard to stop terrorism, and I did not know that there were many international events hosted by Saudi Arabia, and I did not know that there were many Saudis who could speak English, and I did not know Many Saudi students study abroad, and I did not know that the highways running through the desert were well paved, and that the speed limit was 140 km/h. I did not know that there was a good tourist site called the Red Sea, and I did not know that Riyadh was a miracle that emerged from the desert in which trees grew and green areas appeared with desalinated water transported by a 400-kilometre pipeline.
Kabsa
Q
** What Saudi foods do you prefer to eat?
A
Mandi, kabsa, hamour, and dates.
https://sabq.org/saudia/qpo8av2duw
He said that Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Korea strengthened relations... and the Kingdom is developing into an industrial power with a new cultural character..
October 16, 2022
- Soon... Korean companies will build future housing according to Saudi family variables.
We appreciate Saudi Arabia’s efforts in peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in maintaining peace and dialogue in the Middle East.
- K-Pop groups and Korean dramas are very popular and ignite the enthusiasm of Saudi youth.
- Saudi Arabia is an active member of the international community and plays an important role in stabilizing the international energy market.
Our investments in Saudi Arabia amounted to 5.7 billion dollars. Your investments amounted to 2.1 billion dollars, and we want more.
The Arabic language department has been established in 5 Korean universities, and we are waiting for a department for the Korean language and specializations in Saudi universities.
We have 41 joint projects in energy, infrastructure, health, hydrogen, and the establishment of a Saudi bank for small and medium businesses.
- Riyadh, the miracle of the desert, planted trees and green areas with desalinated water transported by a 400 km long pipeline.
- “Saudi Aramco” and “Hyundai of Korea” established a shipbuilding company... and other Korean companies are coming to invest in Saudi projects.
Even after oil, Saudi Arabia will remain influential in the global energy market, especially in the production of green and blue hydrogen.
- The Korean series “Squid Game” ranked first in Saudi Arabia for weeks and gained great fame after its experience in “Riyadh Boulevard.”
- Saudi scholarships in Korea prefer to study information technology, electronics, and electrical engineering.
- I like the way Saudi men treat their families, the paved desert roads, and eating kabsa and dates.
The interview was conducted by Shaqran Al-Rashidi - Photographed by Abdullah Al-Nahit: The Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to the Kingdom, Park Joon-young, said: “Relations between Saudi Arabia and South Korea have developed over the past 60 years as strategic partners. Korea played a central role in developing the infrastructure in the Kingdom.” Saudi Arabia has contributed greatly to Korea's economic development as the largest energy supplier.
He stressed in an interview with “Sabq” that the Kingdom continued to support South Korea’s efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and that it made valuable efforts to promote peace and dialogue in the Middle East.
He pointed out that the Saudi students who studied in Korea during the past years were an important bridge for developing Korean-Saudi relations towards a better future.
He explained that Saudi Arabia is Korea's largest trading partner in the Middle East, and the ninth largest trading partner in the world, and the volume of trade between the two countries this year is expected to reach 30 billion US dollars.
The dialogue addresses a number of important diplomatic, political and economic topics, so here are the details.
Saudi-Korean relations
Q
** Saudi-Korean relations go back to 1962 AD. After 60 years, how do you evaluate the relations between the two countries, and how can they be strengthened?
A
Korea and the Kingdom have developed over the past 60 years as strategic partners. Korea has played a central role in developing the infrastructure in the Kingdom, and the Kingdom has contributed significantly to Korea's economic development as the largest energy supplier. The cooperation relations between the two countries are not limited to the economic field only; The Kingdom has continued to support Korea's efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and South Korea highly appreciates the Kingdom's efforts to promote peace and dialogue in the Middle East. The two countries also cooperate closely with various parties on the international scene, including the United Nations, on key issues such as combating terrorism and nuclear disarmament. As the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, I hope that the scope of their relations will expand to extend to industrialization. , information technology, education, health, culture, tourism and defence. The manufacturing sector represents a strength for Korea, and it is also working to develop its cultural strength. I am confident that Korea can be one of the best partners for the Kingdom. This young country wants to develop into an industrial power and a country with a new cultural character in light of Vision 2030.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Q
** The visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Korea in 2019, and the signing of the Saudi-Korean Vision Memorandum; To what extent did you contribute to making Korea a strategic partner in Vision 2030?
A
The visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the Republic of South Korea in June 2019, and the visit of former President Moon Jae-in at the beginning of this year on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, demonstrated a firm will to strengthen relations between... Both countries are at the highest levels. I believe that the visit of former President Moon to the Kingdom last January confirmed the depth of relations between the two countries, which were not prevented by the Corona pandemic, and cooperation between the two countries continues to implement the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 continuously. This year, the third meeting of the Korean-Saudi Committee for Vision 2030 was held during the visit of the former Korean president to the Kingdom. The government of President Yoon Suk-yeol, which was formed last May, pays great attention to strengthening and strengthening relations with the Kingdom. I hope that the leaders of the two countries will meet in the near future. During this year, a number of Saudi ministers visited Korea, and I look forward to the visit of the Korean ministers responsible for the economy to the Kingdom during this year. I expect that bilateral relations will rise to the level of comprehensive and strategic cooperation this year.
Korean universities
Q
** Korean universities have contributed to the qualification of thousands of Saudi scholarship students in several specializations. What are the most prominent new specializations that Saudis have begun to enroll in?
A
Saudi students who studied in Korea during the past years are a bridge for developing Korean-Saudi relations further in the future. Most Saudi students choose engineering because they prefer the specializations in which Korea is distinguished, such as: (information technology, electronics and electrical engineering, biological sciences, etc.). I hope that we will see an increase in the number of Saudi students studying the humanities and social sciences, and the Korean government will encourage Saudi students to study these. majors because it helps them gain more understanding about Korea, and years ago the Arabic language department was established in 5 universities; Korean, while no Korean language department and Korean specializations have been established in Saudi universities during the past 60 years.
The role of Saudi Arabia
Q
** How do you see Saudi Arabia’s role in addressing global issues in addition to stabilizing the global energy market?
A
The Kingdom, as the only Arab member of the G20, and an active member of the international community; It expands its role in the global economic arena by hosting global meetings in light of mounting concerns about the global recession, inflation and the energy crisis in Europe. The Kingdom is one of the largest oil producing countries in the world, and the ninth largest producer of natural gas in the world. It plays an important role as a stabilizing factor in the international energy market. Recently, the international energy market has become in a very unstable state due to climate change, the end of Corona, the global economic downturn, and the Ukraine crisis. The current oil and natural gas prices place a heavy burden on the economies Countries of the world... The reasons for this are the decline in investment at the source, the lack of refinery facilities, in addition to psychological factors. Oil-consuming countries hope that the producing countries - including the Kingdom - will make efforts to stabilize oil prices at a level lower than the current level, and I also expect that Saudi Arabia greatly influences the global energy market in the post-oil era. Because it is well placed to produce green and blue hydrogen, which is considered an alternative energy to achieve zero carbon emissions.
Saudi-Korean agreement
Q
** In late 2011, a Saudi-Korean agreement was signed to cooperate in research, development, and building peaceful nuclear energy plants.. What is new in this aspect?
A
Korea and the Kingdom continued cooperation regarding large and small nuclear power plants through a memorandum of understanding to establish a partnership for a small nuclear power plant SMART in 2015, and a memorandum of understanding on nuclear regulatory cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy technology in 2016, and the Kingdom has a plan to build two nuclear power plants of the 1.4 GW category. By 2030, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) hopes to participate in this project.
The trade exchange
** The Kingdom is one of the first trading partners of the Republic of Korea in the Middle East. How much is the volume of trade exchange between the two countries?
A
As for South Korea, the Kingdom is the largest trading partner in the Middle East, and the ninth largest trading partner in the world. It is expected that the trade volume between the two countries this year will reach 30 billion US dollars. Korea's main exports are automobiles, rubber, steel, and weapons; While the Kingdom's main exports are crude oil, petroleum products, fine chemical raw materials, and aluminum... If the free trade negotiations between Korea and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which resumed last January, end; It is also expected that the volume of trade between Korea and the Kingdom will increase. In addition, the total volume of direct investment between the two countries reached $7.8 billion until 2020, and Korea’s investments in Saudi Arabia amount to about $5.7 billion, and Saudi Arabia’s investments in Korea are about $2.1 billion.
Climate change
Q
** How do you see the implications of the “Green Saudi Arabia” and “Green Middle East” initiatives in combating climate change and global warming in the world?
A
The “Green Saudi Arabia” and “Green Middle East” initiatives, launched by the Saudi Crown Prince in October 2021 with a total investment of 39 billion riyals, aim to develop the energy markets of Middle Eastern countries, provide clean energy solutions, and reduce carbon emissions. The two initiatives focus on Greening, renewable energy and investing in clean energy to address climate change, which is the biggest global issue.
The Saudi and Korean economy
Q
** Hyundai and Aramco established the International Marine Industries Company, and Saudi Arabia (SAMI) signed cooperation with Korean companies.. What is the impact of such important agreements on the Saudi and Korean economies?
A
Economic cooperation between Korea and Saudi Arabia is expected to extend to diverse sectors such as manufacturing, defense, and culture. Going beyond cooperation based on the construction and energy sectors. Major Korean companies are already investing or planning to invest in the Kingdom, and cooperation in the defense sector is being actively promoted through defense bodies and companies in the two countries, such as the Saudi Military Industries Company and Hanhwa Company.
Projects
Q
** Joint projects between Saudi Arabia and Korea include 41 projects. What are the new sectors nominated for cooperation?
A
As you mentioned, currently, 41 collaborative projects are being promoted in 5 sub-sections: Manufacturing and Energy, Intelligence and Infrastructure, Capacity Building, Health, Small Business and Investment. The main projects include shipyard construction, nuclear energy cooperation, hydrogen and housing, and new city development. And the establishment of the Saudi Small and Medium Business Bank, and it is possible to achieve more cooperation in smart cities, manufacturing, renewable energy, culture and tourism.
Future City “NEOM”
Q
** What are the sectors in which Korean companies can cooperate within the project to build the future city “NEOM”?
A
Korean companies are working on infrastructure projects and mobility-related cooperation in the NEOM project. In July of this year, the alliance of Hyundai Construction Company, Samsung C&T and Archyrodon won a contract to construct part of the current tunnel under construction in NEOM, and Korean contracting companies have a lot of experience in constructing infrastructure such as: (tunnels, skyscrapers, ports, airports, bridges and smart cities), and is highly trusted by the Saudi government. Therefore, there will be many opportunities for cooperation in this field in the future.
Korean experiences in housing
Q
** How can the Kingdom benefit from the leading Korean expertise in the field of housing, real estate development, and residential units at appropriate prices?
A
Korean companies previously implemented the project to establish the residential suburb of Salman Bay in Jeddah, and the residential suburb of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center for Aramco. Currently, GS Building and Construction Company and Al Argan Company are developing a residential complex project that includes 200 residential units in the green oasis in the Kingdom.
Korean art and music
Q
** Regarding the demand for art, music, drama, and performances presented by Korean groups, do you think that this reflects the interest of Saudi youth in Korean culture?
A
Korean culture is very popular in the Kingdom, especially K-Pop, and Korean drama ignites the enthusiasm of Saudi youth. I visited the K-Con concert on September 30th, and witnessed for myself the Saudis’ interest in Korean culture, and the performance of “Super Junior and BTS.” The year 2019 achieved great success, and I am happy that it paved the way for strengthening cooperation in the music field, which was represented by the signing of business agreements, and every week Korean dramas are usually in the top ten among various shows; Especially the series “Squid Game” that was shown last year; It ranked first in Saudi Arabia for several weeks, and gained great fame after the launch of the squid game experience event on “Riyadh Boulevard”... The scope of Saudi youth’s interest in learning about Korean culture is expanding to Korean food, traditional culture, and language.
Mission
Q
** What is the most urgent area that you would like to focus on during your term in Riyadh?
A
Solve the difficulties faced by Korean companies to the benefit of both countries, and advance bilateral relations into a comprehensive strategic cooperative. To reach this goal, I hope that cooperation between the two countries will be diverse and multidimensional, to further enhance trust and friendship between the peoples of the two countries. A better understanding of each other enhances mutual cooperation.
Saudi people
Q
** What was your impression of Saudi Arabia and Saudi society before and after you came there?
A
Before I came to Riyadh, I did not know that the Saudis were very friendly with Korea, and I did not know that there were very few Koreans living in the Kingdom, and I did not know that Saudi men were very interested in family affairs, and I did not know that the Kingdom was a country with a mostly young population. I did not know that a third of the population of Saudi Arabia are foreigners, and I did not know that the Saudi government was working hard to stop terrorism, and I did not know that there were many international events hosted by Saudi Arabia, and I did not know that there were many Saudis who could speak English, and I did not know Many Saudi students study abroad, and I did not know that the highways running through the desert were well paved, and that the speed limit was 140 km/h. I did not know that there was a good tourist site called the Red Sea, and I did not know that Riyadh was a miracle that emerged from the desert in which trees grew and green areas appeared with desalinated water transported by a 400-kilometre pipeline.
Kabsa
Q
** What Saudi foods do you prefer to eat?
A
Mandi, kabsa, hamour, and dates.
https://sabq.org/saudia/qpo8av2duw
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The SC
INT'L MOD
- Thread starter
- #33
Transferring the fourth generation SMART reactor technology to the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia
of Saudi Arabia
In 2016 and in an important step to establish the infrastructure for atomic technology in the Kingdom as a strategic requirement, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Science, Information Technology, Communications and Future Planning in the Republic of Korea completed the strengthening of the existing traditional and friendly relations between the two countries based on the agreement signed between the two countries by signing a memorandum of understanding that includes Cooperation programs related to “Establishing a partnership in small compact reactor technology” and “Building joint nuclear human capabilities and academic research” that work to encourage and enhance joint cooperation in the field of technology and nuclear links for the benefit of the creative economy.
Signing ceremony for the transfer of nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia
The first part of this memorandum includes the establishment of a partnership in SMART technology, as the Korean government continued its efforts to develop the “SMART advanced reactor” since 1997 until it was able to obtain approval for the standard design from the Korean Nuclear Regulatory Commission in In 2012, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) under the above-mentioned ministry is undertaking the development of this SMART reactor.
This partnership will begin with an important plan for the Kingdom’s infrastructure by entering into a stage called “initial project engineering,” where full knowledge of the technology and design of this reactor will be transferred to specialists for the people of the country, starting with the training of the Saudi workforce, until the completion of on-the-job training. In addition, a special program for building Saudi human capabilities will be developed and developed, including full participation for a period of two years in creating design documents for this reactor with the aim of fully transferring knowledge of the technology.
Upon completion of the initial engineering of the project, the city can place a request to build two (2) or more units of this reactor technology in the Kingdom through an implementing company consisting of several Saudi and Korean companies that have the privileges of joint construction and export of this reactor technology at the global level, thus enhancing the localization process. .
As for the second part of the memorandum of understanding, it aims to “jointly build nuclear human capabilities and academic research” and the benefits it brings in the field of building human capabilities at a high level of skill, whether through education or academic research in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Cooperation in this aspect will include cooperation with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) under the supervision of the Ministry (MSIP), where non-degree-granting programs will be developed, development or participation in degree-granting programmes, and academic joint research, in addition to providing advice and advice on establishing a center. Specialized in building nuclear human capabilities.
It will also include cooperation with the Korea Energy Research Institute (KAERI) through the establishment of the Joint Center for Nuclear Human Resources Development. Benefiting from certified engineers with practical experience in developing nuclear technologies and operating nuclear facilities, and developing and implementing joint research and projects. The two sides will work on the basis of equality, common interests and the principle of reciprocity, and encourage and promote cooperation between them to conduct educational and academic research in the field of nuclear technologies for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The importance of the memorandum of understanding signed by King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy and the Korean Ministry of Science, Information Technology, Communications and Future Planning is that it contains all the ingredients required to build a new technical sector that results in real added value to development efforts in the Kingdom. First, it is the establishment of a technical partnership to develop the Korean model. For the reactor with small compact units, it is one of the fourth generation reactors with high nuclear safety and safety characteristics and advanced technical and operational features. There are a number of developed countries, all of which are in the beginning stages of developing their models of this generation of reactors, but the Korean model is considered the most advanced of them, and there are still stages. The detailed design, construction and operation have not yet been completed, and these are the stages that will take place with active Saudi participation. This effort will result in Saudi competencies acquiring very advanced technology from the widest range, including a partnership with a high percentage of intellectual property for this model of reactors. The memorandum also establishes a program A strong and focused center to build Saudi human capabilities in the field of designing, building and operating this advanced generation of reactors. The memorandum also includes the possibility of building the first two reactors of their kind in the Kingdom, and this effort will result in the establishment of Saudi mechanisms for the various industries and services required to manufacture this generation of reactors, as well as the skills required to promote them commercially in the world. If the elements contained in the memorandum of understanding are achieved, the Kingdom will have taken a giant step to acquire this advanced technology and establish all the mechanisms for its development requirements, early in the life of this technology, which will guarantee the Kingdom a foothold in this new and promising field.
The signing of the memorandum of understanding between the two sides came based on the fact that building the capacity to produce atomic energy in the Kingdom is an important national demand with the aim of building a sustainable development future by including the source of atomic energy within the national energy system. This requires that it be preceded by establishing a solid knowledge infrastructure related to the fields of engineering, design, construction and operation, in addition to creating accurate databases. It was also based on the joint agreement signed between the Kingdom and the State of South Korea on (19 Dhul-Hijjah 1432 AH, corresponding to November 15, 2011 AD) in the city of Seoul, which confirms the common desire of both countries to expand and strengthen cooperation in the field of developing and applying nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, in addition to The King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korean Research Institute for Atomic Energy (on 7 Safar 1435 AH, corresponding to December 10, 2013 AD) in the city of Riyadh, which revolves around cooperation in the field of research reactors, in addition to preparing a comprehensive technical and economic study on the Korean reactor. SMART compact unit.
The “Smart” reactor project, which the Shura Council asked about its details, is one of the components of the National Atomic Energy Project, which was approved by the Council of Ministers in 2017, in an effort to introduce peaceful atomic energy into the national energy mix, and to contribute to providing the requirements for sustainable national development in accordance with the vision of Kingdom 2030. Through the SMART project with South Korea, Saudi Arabia also aims to localize nuclear knowledge, support value chains, and enter the Kingdom as a future developer, owner, and exporter of nuclear energy technologies.
In May 2018, the former Minister of Energy, Khalid Al-Falih, visited the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) in the city of Daejeon, South Korea, and met 48 Saudi engineers who had started a joint project with the institute, in order to prepare engineering designs for the “Smart” reactor with extensive training programs. In various fields of nuclear energy, including specialized programs in reactor core design, fluid system design, mechanical design, machine interaction design and safety analysis of SMART reactor technology.
Details of one of the best Saudi deals ever
It includes the following most important points:
1- Complete knowledge of the technology and design of this reactor will be transferred
2- We will export these reactors and market them globally
3- We own a high percentage of the intellectual property for this reactor
4- The reactor is of the fourth generation with high safety and security, and we possess the complete technology for this generation of reactors.
5- Establishing a national center to build Saudi nuclear human capabilities and train Saudi cadres
6- Implementing research on joint nuclear projects and cooperation between the two countries in the field of nuclear energy..
https://aris.iaea.org/PDF/SMART.pdf
The Kingdom transferred “the entire technology and all the designs.”
During the period of transferring knowledge and training the technical crews, Korea will build 2 reactors with us... because the technology will not be transferred and the crews will not be trained overnight; these reactors that Korea will build will be the real field training for the Saudi cadres who have completed the theoretical courses.
Secondly, owning intellectual property rights is that KSA is the owner of this technology... The fact that Saudi Arabia owns intellectual property rights to a large percentage and not completely will not change anything in the issue. In the end, KSA legally owns it “and to a large percentage” ..
Also, KSA possession of intellectual property rights means that the Korean side will not act alone and sell or build this technology to any country it wants..
There is a framework established on this issue, and it is perhaps that Korea is responsible for Southeast Asia and Saudi Arabia is responsible for the Middle East, and outside of them there is agreement.. In general, KSA and the Koreans will not disagree.
In the end, the important thing is that KSA own the entire reactor technology, meaning that it is able to develop other reactors in the future..
In general, this is a tremendous achievement, and it is the achievement of the century, to transfer the entire technology of nuclear reactors, and not just any reactor, but fourth-generation reactors, and also possess intellectual property rights, that is, export them, and build these reactors to any country..
In addition to this, building a center to build Saudi human capabilities in the field of design, construction and operation:
This means qualifying cadres in the field of designs
Staff in the construction field
Staff in the field of operation
The first batch of these cadres, after 5 years, will be the ones responsible for training the cadres at the center.. and Saudi design experts will be the ones who qualify Saudi cadres in this field..
The Smart Reactor is the first licensed integral-type small reactor in the world. It can produce 100 megawatts of electricity or 90 megawatts of electricity and 40,000 tons of desalinated water simultaneously!
All the basic components are inside the reactor and it also contains a fully digital monitoring system, in addition to a passive residual heat removal system..
A nuclear reactor usually requires large amounts of water for cooling, which explains the importance of placing these reactors in places close to water sources, but SMART reactors only use air for cooling.
It can provide a city with a population of 100,000 people with electricity and fresh water daily!
Unlike other large nuclear reactors, SMART small reactors are safer and more integrated as all necessary components such as primary cooling pumps and pressure devices are installed in the same building as the reactor.
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Saudi Arabia unveils locally-made smart chip and new tech initiatives worth $1bn
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Al-Sawaha unveiled the manufacture of the first Saudi-made smart chip to be used in military, civil and commercial applications.
Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia launched a series of technology initiatives worth over $1.2 billion (SR4 billion) aimed at improving the digital skills of 100,000 Saudi youngsters by 2030.
The announcement was made at an event called Launch held on Wednesday, hosted by the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), as well as the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
During the event, several multinational corporations including Amazon, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, Informa, and Microsoft, announced their partnership with the Kingdom to create digital capability centers and innovation hubs for tech startups.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Al-Sawaha unveiled the manufacture of the first Saudi-made smart chip to be used in military, civil and commercial applications.
He explained that these smart chips have a processing power that is more than 60,000 times that is used in the human journey to the moon, and in smart phones and what giant companies, such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, Sixo, Oracle and Alibaba use, which represent 60% of the power.
Faisal Al-Khamisi, chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, said that Saudi Arabia aims to have at least one programmer out of every 100 citizens in 2030.
The head of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority Abdullah Al-Ghamdi said that Saudi Arabia aims to be one of the top 5 countries globally in AI, and this requires the creation of 25,000 specialists’ jobs in data science and AI before 2030.
In addition, MCIT established the National Technology Development Program with a budget of SR2.5 billion, with the goal of making the Kingdom the world’s leading technology country.
The program launched its early products, Financial Security, to strengthen trust between tech companies and financial entities, as well as the SME loan guarantee program, Kafalah, which aims to provide up to 90 percent insurance of the financing value and with a volume of SR15million, so that technology SMEs can have a financial fund to cover their expansion plans and implement them.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Chinese eWTP Arabia Capital fund with $400m capital, which seeks to support technology startups in the Kingdom, was also unveiled at the Launch event.
This investment came along after Alibaba Cloud chose Riyadh as its regional center for management and training, with investments amounting to $500m over five years in the region.
The event on Wednesday also saw the launch of the Tuwaiq 1000 Bootcamp, which ends in student employment and is supported by the MCIT’s future skills initiative.
Projects in Saudi Arabia will be launched simultaneously in 13 regions around the country, with 40 training bootcamps focusing on four tracks: cybersecurity, programming, artificial intelligence, and the electronic games sector.
The Launch ceremony also announced the introduction of the SATR platform for learning programming principles, which coincided with the launch of CoderHub, the first Arab portal specializing in programming challenges.
The event witnessed the partnership between Google and Tuwaiq Academy that is part of (SAFCSP), in upskilling programs and the cooperation with OneMT, an electronic games company.
Moreover, the event marked the start of registrations for the Apple Developer Academy, the first of its kind in MENA, which will in its first phase focus on female developers and programmers.
On Wednesday, MCIT, SAFCSP, and the General Entertainments Authority also launched two events — LEAP and @HACK — in collaboration with Informa.
LEAP will be held in Riyadh from Feb. 1-3, 2022, and will feature over 500 international speakers, exhibit technologies from over 1,000 of the world’s tech companies and startups and is expected to attract at least 40,000 people.
Some of the topics that will be addressed at LEAP include artificial intelligence, Industry 5.0, robotics, smart cities, IoT, among other fields.
Thought leaders from companies including Google, Huawei, Microsoft and The Coca-Cola Company will deliver conference sessions at LEAP tackling issues from poverty, disease and environmental disaster to inequality, access to education, productivity, mobility and smart living.
Supported by Saudi Arabia’s MCIT and organized by Informa Tech, LEAP is set to be a strategic initiative that aims to transform the national economy and position the kingdom as a visionary tech hub.
@HACK meanwhile, backed by the American hacking event Black Hat, will take place as part of Riyadh Season and will feature the most advanced ethical hacking training sessions to help the country defend against the threat of hostile cyberattacks.
@Hack will also include the region’s largest hacking tournament. Over 250 cybersecurity vendors will be present at the event including Fortinet, Malwarebytes, STC, SPIRE, Honeywell, Qualys, SentinelOne, Synack, and RSA.
The event is being organized in support of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and SAFCSP’s aim to make one out of every 100 Saudi nationals a programmer.
@Hack is the official Middle East facilitator and distributor for offensive security, and its security instructors will be among the 50 Black Hat authorized trainers running a training series in the run-up to the event, which will take place from Nov. 23-27.
https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/610229
The PIF Launches ALAT To Position Saudi Arabia a Global Hub for Electronics and Advanced Industries
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Saudi Arabia: We will provide the country with more than 14 thousand kilometers of railways..
#Al Kharif: $1.3 trillion is the value of mining wealth in the #Kingdom... and the licenses issued within a year are equivalent to those issued since the start of #mining.
#Minister of Energy: We have a large amount of uranium that must be exploited
#Al Kharif: $1.3 trillion is the value of mining wealth in the #Kingdom... and the licenses issued within a year are equivalent to those issued since the start of #mining.
#Minister of Energy: We have a large amount of uranium that must be exploited
The SC
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Minister of Investment:
- King Abdullah City will soon become a special economic zone
- We are working to establish commercial arbitration centers to support the investment environment
- Implementing 80% of the goals of modernizing investment systems in the Kingdom
- Adding 14,000 kilometers of railway lines will enhance the transportation infrastructure
Saudi Arabia asked the world's largest companies in China, Korea, Britain, Italy, Britain and the United States to submit their offers to establish, operate and maintain the largest international railway transport project in the world.
The Saudi Railways Company signs an agreement with the Chinese company CRRC, which specializes in the field of train manufacturing, to manufacture a group of wagons and train wheels in #Saudi Arabia
According to Reuters, the project has an approximate cost of $140 billion, linking the surrounding countries and most cities in the Kingdom.
Minister of Energy:
- We will attract large investments and create greater localization opportunities
- The energy strategy will be announced soon
- Saudi Arabia will be the leader in the global energy sector
The largest mineral resources in the Kingdom are estimated at $321 billion of phosphate. $229 billion in gold. $222 billion worth of copper. $70 billion worth of iron and uranium.
CEO of Barrick Gold: - Demand for metals will increase - Copper will be exposed to challenges because the world has delayed supporting its discoveries - Saudi Arabia has great mining wealth..
- King Abdullah City will soon become a special economic zone
- We are working to establish commercial arbitration centers to support the investment environment
- Implementing 80% of the goals of modernizing investment systems in the Kingdom
- Adding 14,000 kilometers of railway lines will enhance the transportation infrastructure
Saudi Arabia asked the world's largest companies in China, Korea, Britain, Italy, Britain and the United States to submit their offers to establish, operate and maintain the largest international railway transport project in the world.
The Saudi Railways Company signs an agreement with the Chinese company CRRC, which specializes in the field of train manufacturing, to manufacture a group of wagons and train wheels in #Saudi Arabia
According to Reuters, the project has an approximate cost of $140 billion, linking the surrounding countries and most cities in the Kingdom.
Minister of Energy:
- We will attract large investments and create greater localization opportunities
- The energy strategy will be announced soon
- Saudi Arabia will be the leader in the global energy sector
The largest mineral resources in the Kingdom are estimated at $321 billion of phosphate. $229 billion in gold. $222 billion worth of copper. $70 billion worth of iron and uranium.
CEO of Barrick Gold: - Demand for metals will increase - Copper will be exposed to challenges because the world has delayed supporting its discoveries - Saudi Arabia has great mining wealth..
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That's it, the European-American alliance won the management of the Kingdom Bridge Project, which connects it from east to west.The passenger train will be of bullet class speed of 250-330 km/h- The freight train has a speed of 160 km/h.- The project will go through 6 stages.The last phase, which is the sixth, is to connect Riyadh to Jeddah and also to King Abdullah Economic City, with a length of 950 km, and an additional extension to the Economic City by 150 km. The project is about to complete its studies, and the final phase will be held next year.The duration of the entire project is 7 years in all its phases.
Details of the stages:The first phase includes modernizing the internal network of Jubail Industrial City, which is currently under construction, and will require the construction of 10 kilometers of new track.The second phase is to upgrade the existing Jubail-Dammam line, which is also currently under construction and will require 35 km of new track construction.The third phase will include upgrading the Dammam-Riyadh line, which includes building 87 km of new track.- The fourth phase, the bypass in Riyadh, will connect the current network in the north of the city to the south. It is divided into two packages: the first has 67 km of track and the second has 35 km.The fifth phase is a new 950 km link from Riyadh to Jeddah, which will continue for 146 km to King Abdullah Port. The Riyadh-Jeddah section will have three intermediate stations in Jumoma, Moya and Dawadmi.- The sixth phase is the new line, which is 172 km long from King Abdullah Port to Yanbu Industrial City.The project will also include the construction of seven logistics centers in the Jubail Industrial Logistics City Center, the Daman Dry Logistics Port, the relocated Riyadh Dry Port, the King Khalid Airport Logistics Center in Riyadh, the Jeddah Dry Logistics Port, and the King Abdullah Port Logistics Center for the Yanbu Industrial Logistics City. .
Details of the stages:The first phase includes modernizing the internal network of Jubail Industrial City, which is currently under construction, and will require the construction of 10 kilometers of new track.The second phase is to upgrade the existing Jubail-Dammam line, which is also currently under construction and will require 35 km of new track construction.The third phase will include upgrading the Dammam-Riyadh line, which includes building 87 km of new track.- The fourth phase, the bypass in Riyadh, will connect the current network in the north of the city to the south. It is divided into two packages: the first has 67 km of track and the second has 35 km.The fifth phase is a new 950 km link from Riyadh to Jeddah, which will continue for 146 km to King Abdullah Port. The Riyadh-Jeddah section will have three intermediate stations in Jumoma, Moya and Dawadmi.- The sixth phase is the new line, which is 172 km long from King Abdullah Port to Yanbu Industrial City.The project will also include the construction of seven logistics centers in the Jubail Industrial Logistics City Center, the Daman Dry Logistics Port, the relocated Riyadh Dry Port, the King Khalid Airport Logistics Center in Riyadh, the Jeddah Dry Logistics Port, and the King Abdullah Port Logistics Center for the Yanbu Industrial Logistics City. .
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In a distinctive step, the National Company for Investment in the Automotive and Mobility Sector (Tassor), affiliated with the Public Investment Fund , signed a binding agreement with the “Project 3 Mobility” company based in Croatia , to develop next generation technology solutions in the field of autonomous mobility. .
The agreement included efforts to develop an integrated system that includes an autonomous electric vehicle, along with specialized infrastructure, a mobility services platform, and a mobile application.
This agreement reflects the technical ambition to facilitate mobility, as “Project 3 Mobility” has previously contracted with 9 cities and negotiated with 30 other cities around the world to apply these innovative technologies.”
The agreement included efforts to develop an integrated system that includes an autonomous electric vehicle, along with specialized infrastructure, a mobility services platform, and a mobile application.
This agreement reflects the technical ambition to facilitate mobility, as “Project 3 Mobility” has previously contracted with 9 cities and negotiated with 30 other cities around the world to apply these innovative technologies.”
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Saudi Sdaya President was seen discussing cooperation and development with the founder of one of the largest global high-tech companies “Nvidia”During the meeting, joint cooperation between SDAIA and NVIDIA was discussed in:
- Existing cooperation between SDAIA and NVIDIA— Launching a plan for a multi-year program to install a high-performance supercomputer platform in the Kingdom.. This platform will be a contribution to building many AI-powered applications in language technology and computer vision.
- Technical projects between the two sides— Exchange experiences in the field of data and artificial intelligence— Reviewing the latest developments in the development of data and artificial intelligence in the world and NVIDIA’s participation in the World Smart Cities Forum
- Existing cooperation between SDAIA and NVIDIA— Launching a plan for a multi-year program to install a high-performance supercomputer platform in the Kingdom.. This platform will be a contribution to building many AI-powered applications in language technology and computer vision.
- Technical projects between the two sides— Exchange experiences in the field of data and artificial intelligence— Reviewing the latest developments in the development of data and artificial intelligence in the world and NVIDIA’s participation in the World Smart Cities Forum
The SC
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Saudi Arabia begins exporting “hydroponics” products to Europe
The first shipment of Saudi agricultural products arrived in the Dutch markets... after the agreement concluded to export Saudi agricultural products using advanced hydroponic farming techniques to the Netherlands and the European market.
(CC for English subtitles)
The first shipment of Saudi agricultural products arrived in the Dutch markets... after the agreement concluded to export Saudi agricultural products using advanced hydroponic farming techniques to the Netherlands and the European market.
(CC for English subtitles)
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