Emmanuel OchayiIn a move aimed at bolstering economic ties between Africa and Saudi Arabia, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) have solidified a partnership.
This collaborative effort, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on the sidelines of the Saudi and Arab African Summits in Saudi Arabia, seeks to intensify business growth and economic cooperation between the two entities.
The MoU inked on November 9, 2023, outlines a comprehensive framework for fostering economic cooperation, trade relations, and mutual support in various business endeavors. This alliance targets the promotion of trade through the export of goods and services between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and African markets.
Expressing his enthusiasm, UBA’s Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, highlighted the significance of this partnership.
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“We are happy to join hands with Saudi EXIM Bank in a partnership that holds great promise for businesses and economies in both regions. This agreement will not only facilitate the export of goods and services but also solidify our commitment to intercontinental business relationships and contribute to the development of the African economy,” Alawuba stated.
The collaboration doesn’t solely focus on trade facilitation; it also aims to support joint projects and collaboration involving the export of goods and services from Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, it aims to explore opportunities for co-financing, co-insuring, co-guaranteeing, and reinsuring projects jointly undertaken by companies from both regions.
His Excellency Eng. Saad Al-Khalb, CEO of Saudi EXIM, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “By uniting our strengths, we are setting in motion a dynamic platform that will propel the export of innovative Saudi goods and services, catalyze industrial growth, and magnify our global footprint across the rich tapestry of African economies.”
This collaboration extends beyond mere business relations. Both institutions are committed to sharing knowledge and expertise through various platforms such as meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops, and staff exchanges.
The partnership is anticipated to not only enhance trade and economic ties but also contribute to the socio-economic fabric of the African nations while furthering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
UBA, a leading Pan-African financial institution, serves over thirty-seven million customers across 20 African countries and has expanded its presence to New York, London, Paris, and the UAE. On the other hand, Saudi EXIM, established in 2020, aims to boost Saudi non-oil exports and elevate its competitiveness across global markets, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objective of increasing the contribution of non-oil industries to 50% by 2030.
The newly formed partnership between UBA and Saudi EXIM represents a leap forward in fostering economic cooperation and trade relations between Africa and Saudi Arabia, offering a promising outlook for both regions’ economic growth and business development.
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