India Lands on the Moon

Abdullah Al Alami*

August 24, 2023

 

As the Indian spacecraft landed on the rugged, unexplored south pole of the moon on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, a new space power is born.

The Indian public already takes great pride in the accomplishments of the nation’s space program. This is truly an impressive progress made by India in the field of science and technology.

The control room in Bengaluru became a joyous scene among the engineers, scientists, and technicians of the Indian Space Research Organization. India is the first country to ever reach this part of the lunar surface, and only the fourth country ever to land on the moon after the United States, China, and Russia.

India is achieving scientific and technological progress. In addition, India has orbited the moon and Mars and routinely launches satellites above the Earth with far fewer financial resources than other space-faring nations.

What’s next? Chandrayaan-3 is expected to remain functional for two weeks, running a series of experiments including a spectrometer analysis of the mineral composition of the lunar surface. In 2 weeks, the sun will shine on the landing site and provide energy for the solar-powered lander and rover.

India and Saudi Arabia share centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties. The landmark visits of Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi to the Kingdom in 2016 and 2019 and the State visit of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to India in 2019 has marked a new era in bilateral relations. Saudi Arabia and India signed 11 MoUs in the fields of energy, security, defense production, civil aviation, medical products, strategic petroleum reserves, small and medium-scale industries, etc.

I am also proud that an Indian businessman pumped more than half a billion Saudi riyals to invest in the field of dates, palm trees, and their derivatives in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.

Last Word. India had its eyes on worlds beyond the moon. India is planning to launch a mission called Aditya-L1 in early September to study the sun. A human space flight called Gaganyaan is also planned possibly by 2024.

 

*Saudi writer

Mohammed bin Salman at the Elysée Palace

Abdullah Alami*

June 18, 2023

 The visit of His Highness, the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to France occupies the front page in the international news bulletins. One of the most prominent signs of the success of the relationship between the two countries is the development of Saudi French projects. I mean specifically the SATORP refinery, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Total Energy, and the French company (EDF) for renewable energy, which heads the consortium for developing the wind farm project in the Dumat al-Jandal, and other partnerships in the logistical fields as well.

Education and medicine have an important place in the relationship between the two countries. There are one thousand four hundred Saudi students currently pursuing their studies in France, and three Saudi universities teach the French language. Also, hundreds of Saudi doctors were enrolled in training programs in France since 2006.

The number of French companies investing in the Kingdom increased from 259 in 2019 to 336 companies in 2022. As for the trade exchange between the Kingdom and France, its volume increased in 2021 to $7.155 billion.

The current meetings of the Saudi delegation in the French capital include bilateral economic, military, and cultural relations. The Saudi French talks also include several international files, most notably Lebanon, Iraq, and Sudan, in addition to exploring ways to end the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Here in Paris, the pace of economic investments between Riyadh and Paris is rising, and the two sides are discussing developing joint work and strengthening the strategic partnership to achieve the interests of the two countries. I specifically mean renewable energy projects such as solar and wind energy, cooperation in the field of clean hydrogen, and stabilizing global markets.

The outcome is positive, as the Kingdom ranked 53rd in the list of countries receiving French exports, with a value of $3.240 billion. This is not all, the two countries are also working to strengthen bilateral investment relations and build long-term partnerships between the private sectors in both the Kingdom and France. Among the successful evidence is the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the "Business France Program”, and the “Saudi Leadership of National Companies program”. This is how the two countries work to expand the scope of their relationship.

The fruitful cooperation between the two countries did not come out of nowhere. Both Saudi Arabia and France are committed to the principles of the “Framework Convention on Climate Change”, the exchange of strategic interests, as well as strengthening their partnership in the defense fields. The factors that bring together Riyadh and Paris also include the importance of resolving international disputes through diplomatic and peaceful means, adherence to the United Nations Charter, respect for the unity and sovereignty of states, and non-interference in their internal affairs.

Finally. Tomorrow, Monday, June 19, His Highness the Crown Prince will participate in Saudi Arabia's official reception for Riyadh's candidacy to host Expo 2030. The Elysée Palace was proactive in announcing its support for the candidacy file for the important international exhibition. His Highness the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia will also lead the Kingdom's delegation participating in the "For a New Global Financial Pact" summit in Paris on June 22-23. Here, world leaders gather to discuss financing to fight poverty, and other climate and biological issues.

This is how Saudi Arabia became an active player in decision-making and positive international relations.

 

*Saudi writer

Mohammed ben Salmane au palais de l'Elysée

Abdullah Alami*

18 juin 2023

 

La visite de Son Altesse le prince héritier saoudien Mohammed ben Salmane en France occupe une des journaux internationaux. L'un des signes le plus marquant du succès de la relation entre les deux pays est le développement des projets franco saoudiens. Je veux dire plus précisément la raffinerie SATORP, une joint-venture entre Saudi Aramco et Total Energy, et la société française (EDF) pour les énergies renouvelables, qui dirige le consortium pour le développement du projet de parc éolien à Dumat al-Jandal, et d'autres partenariats dans les domaines logistiques également.

L'éducation et la médecine occupent une place importante dans les relations entre les deux pays. Il y a mille quatre cents étudiants saoudiens qui poursuivent actuellement leurs études en France, et trois universités saoudiennes enseignent la langue française. Aussi, des centaines de médecins saoudiens ont été inscrits dans les programmes de formation en France depuis 2006.

Le nombre d'entreprises françaises investissant dans le Royaume a passé de 259 en 2019 à 336 entreprises en 2022. Quant aux échanges commerciaux entre le Royaume et la France, leur volume a passé en 2021 à 7,155 milliards de dollars.

Les réunions actuelles de la délégation saoudienne dans la capitale française portent sur les relations économiques, militaires et culturelles bilatérales. Les pourparlers franco-saoudiens incluent également plusieurs dossiers internationaux, notamment le Liban, l'Irak et le Soudan, en plus d'explorer les moyens de mettre fin à la guerre russo-ukrainienne.

Ici à Paris, le rythme des investissements économiques entre Riyad et Paris s'accélère, et les deux parties discutent le développement d'un travail conjoint et du renforcement du partenariat stratégique pour réaliser les intérêts des deux pays. Je veux dire en particulier les projets d'énergie renouvelable tels que l'énergie solaire et éolienne, la coopération dans le domaine de l'hydrogène propre et la stabilisation des marchés mondiaux.

Le bilan est positif, puisque le Royaume se classe au 53e rang dans la liste des pays destinataires des exportations françaises, avec une valeur de 3,240 milliards de dollars. Ce n'est pas tout, mais les deux pays s'emploient également à renforcer les relations d'investissement bilatérales et à construire des partenariats à long terme entre les secteurs privés du Royaume et de la France. Parmi les preuves de succès, la signature d'un protocole d'accord entre le "Programme Business France" et le "Programme Saudi Leadership of National Companies". C'est ainsi que les deux pays travaillent à élargir le champ de leur relation.

La coopération fructueuse entre les deux pays n'est pas sortie de nulle part. L'Arabie saoudite et la France sont toutes deux attachées aux principes de la "Convention-cadre sur le changement climatique", à l'échange d'intérêts stratégiques, ainsi qu'au renforcement de leur partenariat dans les domaines de la défense. Les facteurs qui rapprochent Riyad et Paris incluent également l'importance de résoudre les différences internationaux par des moyens diplomatiques et pacifiques, l'adhésion à la Charte des Nations Unies, le respect de l'unité et de la souveraineté des États et la non-ingérence dans leurs affaires intérieures.

Enfin. Demain, lundi 19 juin, Son Altesse le Prince héritier participera à la réception officielle de l'Arabie saoudite pour la candidature de Riyad à l'accueil de l'Expo 2030. Le Palais de l'Elysée a été proactif en annonçant son soutien au dossier de candidature à l'importante exposition internationale. Son Altesse le Prince héritier d'Arabie saoudite conduira également la délégation du Royaume participant au sommet "Pour un nouveau pacte financier mondial" à Paris les 22 et 23 juin. Ici, les dirigeants mondiaux se réunissent pour discuter le financement de la lutte contre la pauvreté et d'autres problèmes climatiques et biologiques.

C'est ainsi que l'Arabie saoudite est devenue un acteur actif de la prise de décision et des relations internationales positives.

 

*écrivain saoudien

 مشاركتي في برنامح حديث الخليج

قناة الحرة

"غلاء المعيشة في دول الخليج"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWiLbtViQqA&t=334s

Saudi Arabia Continues to Diversify its Economy

Abdullah Al Alami*

May 10, 2023

The US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank announcements of interest rate hike, confirms that the inflation will remain high for a long time. The repetition of this scenario several times recently leads the way to tightening monetary measures throughout the world.

As for Saudi Arabia, it continues to diversify its economy, taking several factors into consideration. I specifically mean the growth of investment in new areas including non-oil sectors, the launch of huge infrastructure, introducing new tourism projects, and utilizing advanced technology in financial services.

Let me provide a couple of examples. Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at) announced 23 new initiatives as part of the 7 strategic programs. These initiatives include national transformation, financial sector sustainability, with concentration on human resources development.

This is not all, Riyadh announced its desire to retreat from dependence on oil. This is an important and positive path, as 90% of the state's revenues used to be generated from oil, but have recently dropped to 60%. In addition, the Saudi Gross Domestic Product (GDP) achieved the highest growth rate among the G20 countries, at 9.9% in 2022, and is expected to be the same in 2023.

Among other positive developments, the International Monetary Fund expected Saudi non-oil GDP growth to reach 4.9% in 2023 and 4.2% next year. This is a result of applying financial and economic policies and managing investment projects in a professional manner.

Saudi Arabia continues to implement its development projects in cooperation with international companies. I am specifically talking about 108 regional companies that have moved their headquarters to Riyadh during the past two years, including 26 American companies. This is a result of new promising opportunities and profitable partnership with the Saudi institutions.

 

*Saudi writer

Positive Saudi Track 2023

Abdullah Al Alami* 

April 4, 2023 

    Saudi Arabia signed 100 agreements with international partners, and licensed more than 90 companies to open regional headquarters in the Kingdom. 

    Starting January 2024, Saudi Arabia will not contract with any foreign commercial establishment whose regional headquarters is not in the Kingdom. This decision came at the right time, and includes bodies, institutions, and funds affiliated with the government or any of its agencies. 

    This is good, but not enough. We need to preserve the reputation of our investment policies. On March 9, 2023, investors requested a refund of $42 billion from Silicon Valley Bank in the USA. The whole world watched how the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) closed the bank within 24 hours to stop the bleeding of withdrawals. 

    In addition to the risk reduction factor, limiting Saudi contracts to international companies that have a regional center in the Kingdom is a positive decision. This will create thousands of jobs for citizens, transfer expertise, localize knowledge, and attract more investments to the Kingdom. 

    Nothing is 100% safe anymore; the loss of Silicon Valley Bank did not result only from investments in high-risk debts, but surprisingly by acquiring strong mortgage-backed securities and Treasury bills, which are among the safest around the world. 

    This is how Silicon Valley Bank topped the list of failed financial records. We, in Saudi Arabia, must screen foreign institutions who deal with the Saudi government and institutions. 

    It became clear that Silicon Valley investments were affected by a series of economic events, including supply chain bottlenecks, and soaring inflation rates. However, the demand for credit increased in Saudi Arabia, with relatively few returns, but more efficient and less risk. 

    As indicated at the Global Priority Summit in the United States this week, the International Monetary Fund expects the Saudi economy to grow by 7.5 percent, as the highest growth rate among developing countries. Also, Saudi investment funds managed $150 billion in assets in 2015, which has now grown to $650 billion, with a target of $1 trillion by the end of 2025. This is what I call “good news”. 

    Due to improving operational efficiencies, current Saudi investment total net income increased by more than 28 percent to reach 62.7 billion Saudi riyals. Saudi banks will continue the positive track in 2023 as the Saudi Central Bank extends the periods of support packages to avoid potential crises. 

    We want to succeed in attracting new and "safe" domestic and foreign investments to the Kingdom. We also want to develop economic relations with regional and global partners for a better future for Saudi Arabia and the region.

 *Saudi writer