addition , we have specific legal authority for certain activities , such as certifying documents for American companies exporting to Saudi Arabia .
Katia : Tell us about the Royal Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Houston . What parts of America are covered by it and what are the services it provides ?
Mr . Al-Angari : The Royal Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Houston is one of three Consulate Generals that exist in the United States , the others being in Los Angeles and New York , in addition to our Consular Section in our Embassy in Washington D . C . Our diplomatic and administrative personnel provide many services to Saudi and American citizens as described earlier .
The Royal Consulate General in Houston provides services for a territory that includes 15 states mostly in the Midwest , South , and Southeast of the United States . Many Saudis are residing in these states for purposes of education , business , tourism , and medical assistance .
Katia : What are some past , present , and future goals for Saudi Arabia ’ s relationship with Houston ?
Mr . Al-Angari : Saudi Arabia has maintained a long relationship with the United States in general and with Houston in particular . As far as our past relationship with Houston , we share many common goals , given that Houston is regarded as the energy capital of the world . This relationship was epitomized a long time ago by the discovery of oil in Saudi Arabia and the establishment of Aramco Company and other joint ventures undertaken between American and Saudi companies . In the 1970s the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission chose Houston , which every scholarship recipient had to visit as his / her first stop after arriving the U . S . in order to submit paperwork and receive school letters , to host its offices . In present time , the existence of Saudi companies such as Aramco and SABIC in the Houston market showcases our goals . Our future relationship with Houston would include the continuation of bilateral cooperation and exchange of experiences and benefits to enhance economic , social , and cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Houston , developing and consolidating relations between the two business communities , identifying economic opportunities for exchanging goods , services , and information , encouraging economic projects by identifying best ways to achieve them , providing information to business people interested in adopting these projects , and finally , giving importance to training programs and to the transfer of technical knowledge .
Katia : Saudi Arabia is currently trying to build investment in areas outside of the country . Tell us about them and any offered incentives if any ?
Mr . Al-Angari : As you may know , the Saudi economy occupies a prominent place at the global and regional levels . It has a large industrial base , huge commercial sector , and active financial market . Those factors do not preclude diversity , but encourage it . The Saudi economy , like any successful economy in the world , is aiming to promote diversity . We believe that because of Saudi Arabia ’ s excellent economic relations with many countries and because of its active role and participation in global organizations interested in the development of global and regional economic growth and prosperity , it will be able to achieve its economic diversification .
It is worth mentioning that the government just announced the National Transformation Program ( NTP ) 2020 , outlined in a 112-page document expanding on Saudi Arabia ’ s strategic objectives in achieving its previously announced “ Vision 2030 ” initiative . These objectives are a significant step towards economic reform . The NTP report ( which can be downloaded at http :// vision2030 . gov . sa / en / ntp ) comprises targets organized by government ministry , with a required achievement date of 2020 . The NTP document touches on most of the key reform areas that the market has been expecting , including raising non-oil government revenues , boosting private sector employment , expanding private healthcare , mining , and religious tourism , and attracting more foreign direct investment .
iF Magazine | www . iFMagazine . net 37