U.S.-Saudi Business Council

The U.S.-Saudi Business Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles Hallab as President and Chief Executive Officer. A long-standing member of our Board of Directors, Charles brings a distinguished career in international law, business strategy, and a deep commitment to U.S.-Saudi business relations.   As the founder of Barrington Global and a former leader at Mayer Brown and Baker McKenzie, Charles’s extensive experience and strategic vision will guide the Council during this pivotal time in our bilateral relationship.   We look forward to his leadership as we continue our mission of fostering enduring partnerships between the U.S. and Saudi business communities. To learn more, click here: https://shorturl.at/jRVqx

The U.S.-Saudi Business Council is pleased to announce the release of our Q1 2024 Contract Awards Index report, highlighting a significant surge in Saudi Arabia’s construction sector with $31.7 billion in awarded contracts — a 79% year-over-year growth. We invite you to join our exclusive webinar on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 10:00 AM EDT, where author Albara'a Alwazir, Director of Economic Research, will explore key insights and opportunities and engage in a live Q&A discussion. Attendees will receive a copy of the full report. 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬: Date: September 10, 2024 Time: 10:00 AM EDT Platform: Zoom 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧: ● Key drivers behind the construction sector’s growth, including Vision 2030 giga-projects ● Sectoral and regional breakdowns for strategic market entry or expansion ● Expert insights on the future of Saudi Arabia’s construction industry 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐰: https://shorturl.at/puuY6

Saudi Arabia's updated investment law under Vision 2030 simplifies business processes and strengthens investor protections. With new service centers and reforms, the Kingdom is enhancing its global investment appeal and reinforcing its commitment to a secure, competitive environment. For U.S. businesses looking to seize these opportunities, reach out to the U.S.-Saudi Business Council to navigate and maximize your investment potential.

Zahid Group Holding LLC, a member of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC), has been a pillar of Saudi Arabia’s business landscape for decades. GoZahid, a key division of the Zahid Group, began its journey in 1958 as one of the Kingdom’s first travel agencies. Since then, it has evolved into a leading travel expert renowned for its commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences. In a recent conversation with the USSBC, Douwe de Jong, Head of Commercial at GoZahid Destination Management, shared insights on the company’s multinational heritage, innovative approaches, and contributions to the Kingdom’s tourism sector, particularly in emerging areas like adventure and eco-tourism: https://lnkd.in/e-HSuGNC

The U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC) is pleased to highlight our Chairman's Circle member SEG International, a U.S.-based engineering and architectural firm that undertakes environmentally-conscious projects from their initial design through to completion. The firm has expanded from its origins in the U.S. market to become a global provider of green project solutions for major construction projects using its proprietary multidisciplinary solutions and deep experience in implementing sustainable design concepts. Dr. Ali Fakih, Founder and CEO of SEG, answered the USSBC's questions on the company's services, solutions, and scope: https://lnkd.in/etgx3q9B

Saudi Arabia once again led the MENA region's venture capital funding with $412 million raised in the first half of this year, capturing 54% of all regional funding, thanks to recent domestic initiatives and growing international interest. Read MAGNiTT's H1 2024 Saudi Arabia Venture Capital Report, available in English and Arabic, for more details: https://lnkd.in/exXhZDH5

The U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC) recently hosted a business roundtable with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which took place during the 8th U.S.-Saudi Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) meeting in Washington, DC between the U.S. and Saudi government delegations led by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Saudi General Authority of Foreign Trade. U.S. companies represented many sectors, including defense, engineering, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, food and beverages, aerospace, legal, technology, transport, and entrepreneurship, reflecting the multifaceted nature of U.S.-Saudi economic relations. The USSBC has been organizing business roundtables on the sidelines of the U.S.-Saudi TIFA negotiations since 2006. For over 30 years, the USSBC's goal has been to facilitate discussions on trade and investment challenges, raise awareness of opportunities unveiled by the Saudi economic diversification for both large companies and SMEs, and contribute to the growth of the bilateral trade and investment. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3RR9JcA

We were pleased to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to cohost a business roundtable alongside the U.S.-Saudi Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Meeting. Over 115 participants from various sectors and government agencies attended the roundtable, which aimed to enhance bilateral economic ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia, serving as a platform for discussing key business opportunities and challenges, fostering collaboration, and promoting trade and investment between the two nations. It facilitated open dialogue on strategies for enhancing economic growth, diversification, and partnership, especially in light of Vision 2030's emphasis on economic diversification and private sector development.

Our team from the U.S.-Saudi Business Council had the pleasure of meeting with companies in North Carolina to discuss the cleantech sector in the state, its positive impact on the growth of the renewable energy industry in the U.S., and how Saudi companies can benefit from the successes North Carolina based companies are experiencing. Other sectors covered during the meeting included healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, transportation, and ICT. Albara'a Alwazir, our Director of Economic Research, also provided attendees with a macroeconomic overview of the Saudi economy.   A special thank you to Michael Hubbard and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) for partnering with us to organize the event, and the North Carolina Community College System in Raleigh for hosting us.   For U.S. companies interested in learning more about specific opportunities or future events, contact us at: https://lnkd.in/gtw_PyDu

Impossible Metals Inc., a U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC) Chairman's Circle member based in San Jose, California, develops technology for harvesting critical minerals from the seabed for use in batteries while maintaining the highest standards of sustainable production, social impact, and environmental protection. The USSBC recently spoke with Oliver Gunasekara, Founder and CEO of Impossible Metals, about the company's groundbreaking deep-sea mining services and the impact the company's innovations will have on the mining industry and the global shift to a green economy built on carbon-neutral energy. Read more: https://lnkd.in/efNGhXJB