Oslo, September (پاکستان پوائنٹ نیوز 23 سبتمبر 2025ء) He noted that more than 900 legislative and regulatory reforms were implemented to build a competitive economy, alongside the launch of some of the world’s most ambitious projects. The efforts, he added, pushed Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product (GDP) past $1.3 trillion, making it the largest economy in the middle East and the 17th globally.
His remarks came during the Saudi-Norway Business Forum, organized by the NCC in Oslo as part of a Saudi trade delegation visit comprising 30 leaders and officials from both the public and private sectors.
Al-Kassabi highlighted key similarities between the two countries, notably their abundant natural resources and strong communities striving to build a prosperous economy.
He told an audience of more than 130 government and private-sector leaders from both countries that Norwegian companies are already operating in the Kingdom, with both countries keen to expand cooperation in logistics, shipping, fisheries, advanced manufacturing, tourism, digitalization, healthcare, education, and creative industries. Al-Kassabi noted that bilateral trade grew by 360% between 2020 and 2024, reaching $828 million.
During the forum, Vice Minister of Commerce and NCC CEO Eman Al-Mutairi highlighted the key reforms undertaken to enhance the Kingdom’s competitiveness and the promising opportunities in vital sectors.
She noted that more than 1,200 regulations and bylaws have been issued or updated, helping position the business environment as one of the world’s leading destinations for companies and entrepreneurs.
Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise President Svein Tore Holsether noted that Saudi Arabia embarked on a remarkable transformation through the Saudi Vision 2030, which has encouraged many Norwegian companies to collaborate with Saudi partners. He added that more than 100 Norwegian companies visited the Kingdom over the past year.
