Pakistan, Saudi Arabia hold business conference to boost economic ties

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Monday held a joint business conference to strengthen bilateral economic ties, a day after they signed seven agreements worth USD 20 billion to promote trade and investment in the cash-strapped South Asian country. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who is also Saudi Arabia’s defence minister, arrived on his maiden trip to Pakistan on Sunday. He will arrive in India on February 19 on his first official visit. Counterterrorism and energy security are expected to top the agenda for discussions during the two-day trip. Pakistan…

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Virgin’s Branson halts talks on $1 billion Saudi investment in space ventures

British billionaire Richard Branson said on Thursday that his Virgin Group would suspend its discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund over a planned $1 billion investment in the group’s space ventures, in light of the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. “What has reportedly happened in Turkey around the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if proved true, would clearly change the ability of any of us in the West to do business with the Saudi government,” Branson said in a statement. Branson also said he would suspend his directorship…

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Business chiefs flock to build bridges with Saudi prince

Theresa May and Mohammad bin Salman hold a meeting with other members of the British government and Saudi ministers and delegates inside Number 10 on Wednesday © Reuters Any business aficionado wandering along Mayfair’s Curzon Street on Thursday afternoon would have been treated to a surreal sight: 15 of Britain’s top chairmen and chief executives trooping on to a coach. “It was like a school trip for the captains of industry,” joked one blue-chip director. The coach took nearly an hour to make the two-mile journey to the Saudi ambassador’s…

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