Three-Day Visit Focused on Economic Cooperation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is departing for Saudi Arabia today (October 27) on a three-day official visit, following a special invitation from Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new avenues for economic cooperation between the two long-standing allies.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the prime minister will stay in Riyadh from October 27 to 29 and will attend the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), a global economic forum often referred to as Davos in the Desert.
Future Investment Initiative: Key Global Forum
This year’s FII conference is being held under the theme The New Compass: Unlocking the Keys to Prosperity. The forum brings together world leaders, policymakers, top investors, and experts to discuss issues such as innovation, sustainability, economic inclusion, and shifting global trends.
The event, launched in 2017 by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has become a flagship platform for promoting international investment and advancing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 — a plan to diversify its economy beyond oil.
High-Level Meetings and Bilateral Engagements
During his visit, Prime Minister Sharif is scheduled to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior Saudi officials. Discussions are expected to focus on trade, investment, energy cooperation, and human resource development.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share strong religious and cultural ties, but economic cooperation has increasingly taken center stage in recent years. Saudi Arabia is one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and hosts over 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates, whose remittances form a vital part of Pakistan’s economy.
Showcasing Pakistan’s Investment Potential
The Pakistani delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other federal ministers. The visit will provide an opportunity to highlight Pakistan’s investment potential, particularly in energy, mining, infrastructure, and IT sectors.
Officials say the prime minister will also use the platform to promote Pakistan’s vision for sustainable growth and to engage with regional and global leaders on shared economic challenges.
