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RIYADH: ����ֱ�� and Pakistan have agreed to launch an economic cooperation framework to strengthen trade and investment relations.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif made the agreement during a meeting in Riyadh on Monday.

A joint statement said the framework was based on the two countries’ shared economic interests and depth of their historic partnership.

“As part of the framework, several strategic and high-impact projects will be discussed in the economic, trade, investment and development fields,” it said.

These projects will help strengthen cooperation between the two governments, “enhancing the pivotal role of the private sector and increasing trade exchange between the two countries.”

The agreement will prioritize energy, industry, mining, information technology, tourism, agriculture and food security. 

The two countries have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding for an electricity interconnection project.

“This framework represents an extension of both countries’ efforts to strengthen their fraternal relations and reaffirms their shared vision toward building a sustainable partnership across various economic, trade and investment fields,” the statement said.

����ֱ�� and Pakistan have enjoyed close relations for decades but have moved to broaden cooperation in recent years.

The crown prince and prime minister signed a landmark defense agreement last month which said aggression against either country represented aggression against both.

Last year, the two countries signed 34 MoUs worth $2.8 billion across multiple sectors.

RIYADH: From concept to real-world impact, exhibitors at the fourth annual EV Auto Show Riyadh aim to help shape ����ֱ��’s clean-mobility landscape.

The exhibition floor at the three-day event, which began on Monday, features electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles from established manufacturers and newcomers to the market.

The exhibitors include Chinese company BYD, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles; Lucid Motors; Tesla; rental company Sixt; and other Chinese automotive brands including Chery, iCaur and Jaecoo.

These international players in the electric vehicle sector praised the event for providing a good platform for networking, and shared their views on the ways in which their brands support the Kingdom’s own vision for the future of sustainable mobility.

“This is a great opportunity to meet major global players in the EV sector, and visitors interested in our products,” Ruqaya Alalosi of Chinese manufacturer Rox Motors told Arab News.

One of the highlights of this year’s show is the Saudi debut of the Rox Adamas luxury all-terrain SUV, following its global unveiling in Abu Dhabi this month.

This year marks the second time fast-charging station maker Alpitronic Middle East has participated at the show.

It’s general manager, Stephan Malojer, told Arab News: “We have to say that the visitors, it’s the second day now, but we have had a lot of good discussions, quite a lot of good visitors, and have been meeting a lot of industry friends and also new contacts.

“So yes, it’s been a very positive experience so far. We are very happy with the booth layout, with the way that the whole organization worked out. And hopefully it pushes e-mobility out even further than it is now.”

Zeeshan Shahid, the marketing head of Jaecoo, said: “EV Auto Show is going great. I think it’s a very amazing initiative. It’s very important, actually, for the Saudi market to see all the brands together in one place, where people can see the (business-to-business and business-to-consumer booths), can combine here together under one roof and have such an amazing event.

“It was really amazing to see the participation from government officials as well, and along with that a lot of the big brands. Frankly speaking, I am very satisfied with this event and look forward to joining this event again next year.”

Regarding his interactions with visitors to the event, Shahid said: “It was very good. In fact, I was not expecting the visitors to be this much, and so overwhelming.

“We got a lot of bookings as well. People were interested, they wanted to sign up and they wanted to see how soon they can purchase the car. So it was not just a platform or a place where we just showcased our car, it was a good (return on investment) as well.”

Waheed Khairy, the chief strategy officer of EV-charging joint venture Smart Mobility, and chief operating officer of Saudi startup Turning Point Energy, told Arab News: “This is the fourth time that we are participating (at the show). We grew up with this expo when it started in 2022. We were quite small and we were a startup.

“But then as the years went by, we became market leaders. So here we are today, the platinum sponsors of this expo. And, yeah, it’s been good and it’s been groundbreaking.”

Smart Mobility, a joint venture between Foxconn Interconnect Technology and ����ֱ��’s Saleh Suleiman Alrajhi and Sons, unveiled its self-developed Charging Point Management System at the show.

“For us, (the show) was very beneficial to build contacts, to meet other players in the industry. We are mainly (business-to-business) and we build relations throughout this expo,” Khairy added.

There are other major forums and trade shows in Riyadh, he said, but “the EV Auto Show turned out to be well-attended and well-organized, it’s well-planned. It’s a good opportunity for stakeholders and players in the market to meet and do networking.”

Organizers say the event gives industry executives, government officials and technical specialists a chance to discuss and share insights with stakeholders across the EV value chain, from manufacturers and importers to fleet operators, charging-network developers, and financial institutions.