"Carsharing for Tourists" on the Agenda at the Riyadh Chamber: Russian Business and State Delegation Discusses Mechanisms to Boost Tourist and Investor Flows with Dr. Hussein Aref

In a move reflecting the growing economic cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia, a high-level Russian delegation, including business leaders and government officials, visited the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The official visit, led and coordinated by Dr. Hussein Arif, President of the International Development Fund of Russia, saw the delegation received by the Chamber's leadership in an expanded meeting attended by several of its officials and member business leaders. The meeting addressed ways to enhance economic cooperation and develop investment and tourism partnerships between the two sides, with the aim of increasing trade volume to new levels. Both sides discussed the significant potential offered by the Kingdom's business environment, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, and the expansion of opportunities available in the technology, logistics, and tourism sectors. Dr. Hussein Arif emphasized that the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce—as one of the largest chambers of commerce in the Middle East—represents a strategic gateway for Russian companies seeking to access the Saudi market. He noted that the International Development Fund acts as an economic bridge between the Russian and Saudi business communities by connecting companies with suitable partners, enabling joint initiatives, and facilitating the exchange of trade missions and delegations between the two countries. Innovative Mechanisms to Support Tourist Flow: The delegation discussed several practical mechanisms to support the tourism sector and enhance the quality of the tourist experience, most notably: Introducing the "carsharing" system (self-drive car rental) – a system that provides tourists with a driverless car, granting them flexible mobility and enhancing their ability to explore Saudi and Russian tourist attractions in a modern experience that aligns with the latest global standards in the smart mobility sector. Exploring joint projects in the hospitality, tourism, and entertainment sectors, keeping pace with the significant expansion of Saudi cities and entertainment projects. Exchanging expertise between the Russian and Saudi tourism sectors and capitalizing on the substantial growth in the number of Russian tourists visiting the Kingdom. Officials at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce welcomed this developmental step, affirming the Chamber's continued support for expanding international investment and opening promising opportunities for partners in Russia and the Arab region. These efforts contribute to strengthening Riyadh's appeal as an economic and tourist capital and establishing the foundations for sustainable partnerships that support growth in vital service and industrial sectors. The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue consultations and deepen understandings in order to develop an institutional framework for cooperation that translates these themes into actual projects that serve the economies of both countries and enhance the flow of tourists and investors in both directions.