Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The new governor of the General Authority for Foreign Trade has expressed his happiness over his appointment to the position.

Abdulrahman Bin Ahmed Al-Harbi has conveyed his thanks and gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman for their trust in him. He prayed to Allah to help him serve his country by contributing to support and promote foreign trade.

In a series of royal orders issued on Saturday, the government made several new appointments, including Al-Harbi as the head of the authority for foreign trade.

Al-Harbi also thanked Minister of Commerce and Investment and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Foreign Trade Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi for his efforts to increase the Kingdom›s foreign trade balance and for his endeavor to overcome all difficulties facing it.

The General Authority for Foreign Trade was established to enhance the Kingdom›s international commercial and investment activities and to consolidate its position as a regional and global center by negotiating and concluding trade and investment agreements.

The authority will enable access for Saudi non-oil exports to target markets and eliminate any obstacles facing foreign trade. It will represent the Kingdom at international organizations, especially the World Trade Organization, and follow up the Kingdom›s commitments relevant to international trade agreements and treaties.

The authority will also contribute to enabling and supporting the private sector to participate effectively in foreign trade, besides protecting national products against harmful practices in relation to international trade.

The board of directors of the authority, headed by the minister of commerce and investment, includes representatives of the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Transport, Finance, Environment, Water and Agriculture, Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, and Economy and Planning as well as the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).