Saudi Arabia focuses on sustainability, efficient use of energy: Economy Minister

Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim

Saudi Arabia focuses on sustainability and efficient use of energy, including sustainable fuel in aviation, Saudi Press Agency reported, citing Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim.

The Kingdom is committed to achieving such goals, the Minister told the Future Aviation Forum 2022 organized by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Riyadh.

He added that the world is changing at a rapid pace as the coronavirus pandemic was a drive to speed up transformation during the past two years.

The Kingdom is ready to invest and develop in order to recover from the pandemic, the minister added, noting that Saudi Arabia is also ready to map out appropriate global policies and procedures that are compatible with the new economy.

After the pandemic, the economy began to activate the aviation sector and laid the foundations for investment in this industry.

This includes digitalization and focusing on having the necessary expertise and performance in relation travelling and passenger experience, the minister said.

He indicated that the Kingdom plans to offer more than $37 billion to finance travel and tourism as well as achieve prosperity and development.

The aviation sector is highly capable of achieving the goals of Vision 2030, the minister confirmed.

Al-Ibrahim highlighted the importance of economic diversification, indicating that the Kingdom has several economic fields of diversification, including investment in logistics, services, development and empowerment in the aviation sector.

The Kingdom is blessed with a strategic and geographical location in the region, enhancing its sustainability and competitiveness, as well as several other points of strength. The Kingdom also takes pride in supporting innovation, industries, technology, young talents and entrepreneurs, as well as enhancing work on regional and local demand for tourism and aviation economics, the minister noted.

The Kingdom started implementing digital applications and e-government as well as attracting talents, given the challenges that the world’s aviation sector is facing, Al-Ibrahim indicated.

The local airports will provide several job opportunities in line with Vision 2030, which will enhance the national investment, Al-Ibrahim concluded.