British PM Rishi Sunak Affirms Support for Saudi Vision 2030 at GREAT FUTURES Forum in Riyadh

By Fahd Talal

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in a momentous virtual address to the ongoing GREAT FUTURES Forum hosted by Riyadh over two days, underscored the robust and ambitious nature of Saudi-British relations, thereby affirming the British support for Saudi Vision 2030.

Sunak emphasised the forum’s pivotal role in advancing the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, stating, “The Great Future Forum presents a tangible opportunity to fully support the aspirations of Vision 2030.”

Expressing optimism about the trajectory of bilateral ties, Sunak highlighted a significant uptick in Saudi visitors to the United Kingdom, noting that over 400,000 Saudis have secured visas for travel to Britain since 2022.

The GREAT FUTURES Forum stands as a testament to the transformative potential of British expertise in aiding Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This ambitious blueprint for economic transformation across diverse sectors stands to benefit substantially from British contributions to trade, investment, tourism, education, and cultural exchange.

Neil Crompton, British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, disclosed that 400 British companies will actively participate in the GREAT Futures Initiative conference in Riyadh. Oliver Dowden, British Deputy Prime Minister, will lead the official delegation, which will be accompanied by a cohort of ministers and officials.

Crompton underscored Riyadh’s endorsement of the initiative as indicative of British interest in the positive strides and opportunities stemming from Vision 2030 initiatives. The conference, convened on May 14-15 at the King Abdullah Financial Center, serves as a pivotal platform for fostering enhanced cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations across various domains, aligning with the mutual desire of both nations.