Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has embarked upon a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on enhancing ties between the two nations. Tajani’s extensive political background, which includes serving as President of the European Parliament and as a European Commissioner, underscores the significance of this visit.
Italy and Saudi Arabia have been diligently working to expand their partnership, and this visit also highlighted their shared commitment to boosting tourism. Tajani emphasised that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program, aimed at diversifying the kingdom’s economy away from oil, offers promising opportunities for Italian businesses in various sectors, including tourism, innovation, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and entertainment.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s discussions in Saudi Arabia included exploring avenues for increased cooperation in the tourism sector. Both countries recognize the potential for tourism to thrive, and their collaboration aims to capitalize on this potential.
Italian tourists have increasingly chosen Saudi Arabia as a destination, with the first half of 2022 alone witnessing approximately 1,500 Italians visiting the kingdom. In a reciprocal effort to promote Saudi culture and heritage, Rome recently hosted the “Saudi Village” event, providing Italians with a glimpse into Saudi Arabia’s culture, cuisine, heritage, and tourist attractions. The event, a platform for building bridges between Saudi Arabia and Italy, was officially opened by HRH Prince Faisal bin Sattam bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Italy. It witnessed the presence of Tanmiah’s Board of Directors member, Mr. Kamel Al-Munajjed and the CEO of Tanmiah, Mr. Zulfiqar Hamadani.
As part of Italy’s vision to become a prominent energy hub for the European market, Tajani and his Saudi counterparts discussed ways to enhance energy cooperation, with a strong focus on renewable energy sources like hydrogen. This aligns with their shared commitment to sustainability and green energy.
The visit also featured interactions with local business leaders and the inauguration of Riyadh’s third metro line, a project in which the Italian company WeBuild played a pivotal role. Italy’s involvement in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure development underscores the depth of their economic partnership, with tourism as a key facet.
Italy’s vibrant presence in Saudi Arabia extends beyond business, encompassing cultural exchange and tourism. The two nations are keen to foster a greater understanding of each other’s cultures and traditions. Saudi Arabia has been actively working to promote tourism, opening up to international visitors, and showcasing its rich heritage and attractions.
As Italy strengthens its ties with Saudi Arabia, including contributions to Vision 2030 and energy partnerships, tourism remains at the forefront of their growing relationship. Cultural exchange and tourism offer avenues for both nations to deepen their connections, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of their cooperation.
Tajani’s visit to Saudi Arabia represents a significant step toward fostering tourism and cultural exchange, with an emphasis on building a vibrant, mutually beneficial future in this sector. Both Italy and Saudi Arabia recognize the immense potential in tourism, and their collaboration aims to make the most of this opportunity.
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Photo – top of page – Raul Mee (EU2017EE)
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