ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will go to Saudi Arabia on Monday for a two-day visit to attend the “Davos in the Desert” meeting, an effort of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to enhance the Kingdom’s position in the global economy beyond oil.
Hundreds of participants from around the world are attending Riyadh’s two-day Future Investment Initiative event, including government officials, industry executives, and even CEOs of American corporations. On Tuesday, the conference will begin.
Official sources revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz is in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He will attend the two-day summit and will meet with Saudi officials.
The Davos in the desert is taking place when Saudi Arabia and the United States are at odds over Riyadh’s decision to reduce oil exports despite President Biden’s appeal. According to the organizers, no US officials were invited to the investment event. However, 400 CEOs from various American corporations will be in attendance. A large Chinese team will be in Riyadh, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s determination to expand its choices and look beyond the West.
Pakistan sees the meeting as a chance to attract global attention to climate-related flooding.
Shehbaz is in Saudi Arabia because the Saudi crown prince plans to visit Pakistan next month. Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman is scheduled to visit Islamabad next month, in what Pakistan hopes will result in yet another financial bailout package from the oil-rich Arab kingdom.
