In an effort to support and boost industrial investments in ‘Asir Region In an effort to promote the industrial sector in GCC countries and in light of GOIC’s role as a house of broad expertise and know-how offering consulting services to all industrial entities in the Gulf in order to encourage and develop Gulf industries, the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abha Chamber of Commerce and Industry to support and boost industrial investments in ‘Asir Region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The MoU was signed in Doha, Qatar in the presence of HE Dr. Khalid Bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, Vice Chairman of the Chamber, Mr. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, Acting Secretary General of the Chamber and Mr. Mohammed Al-Shaarawi, economic advisor. GOIC was represented by HE the Secretary General Mr. Abdulaziz Bin Hamad Al-Ageel, HE Dr. Ali Hamed Al-Mulla, Assistant Secretary General for Industrial Projects Sector, HE Mr. Mohammed Bin Khamis Bin Rashid Al-Mukhaini, Assistant Secretary General for Industrial Information and Studies and directors of GOIC’s departments. The MoU was signed by HE Mr. Abdulaziz Bin Hamad Al-Ageel, GOIC Secretary General and HE Dr. Khalid Bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, Vice Chairman of Abha Chamber of Commerce and Industry on behalf of the Chamber’s Chairman Engineer Abdullah Bin Saeed Al-Mubti. The Chamber’s delegation and HE the Secretary General discussed mechanisms of cooperation between the two entities to promote the industrial sector in ‘Asir Region and the consulting services that GOIC can offer in this area. HE Mr. Abdulaziz Bin Hamad Al-Ageel stressed GOIC’s interest in promoting the industrial sector in GCC countries by supporting industrial development projects, developing databases, preparing several industrial studies, introducing industrial investment opportunities in targeted industrial sectors and offering technical consulting services to public and private sectors. HE the Secretary General explained that there are several promising opportunities in ‘Asir Region to promote economic performance, particularly in the areas of pharmaceuticals and transportation, based on the region’s abundant resources. The MoU aims at enhancing cooperation and coordination between GOIC and the Chamber in areas of common interest such as preparing technical economic feasibility studies for the Chamber’s projects and participating in the Chamber’s surveys aiming at supporting economies of all provinces within ‘Asir Region. According to this MoU, GOIC is to prepare studies on the industrial investment opportunities in ‘Asir Region, help connecting with international companies capable of conveying technical expertise for projects of common interest and assist in the promotion aiming at attracting Gulf and foreign investors to contribute in these projects. Both parties agreed that the Chamber is to participate in the industrial, commercial, social, legal and potential suppliers and business partners databases. Furthermore, GOIC experts will provide training portfolios in ‘Asir Region and specialised shared events will be jointly organised by both parties. During the meeting, the Chamber’s delegation attended a presentation about the Organization, its industrial strategy, programs, studies and researches in GCC countries and Yemen and its efforts to support industrial development in these countries. They also got to know more about GOIC’s programs, notably the Industrial Market Intelligence Portal (IMI), the GCC Subcontracting and Partnership Exchange Network (GSPX), the Training and Capacity Development Program (TCD), the Industrial Technical Assistance Program (ITA) for SMEs, the Manufacturing Investment Opportunities Program (MIOP) and the Industrial Studies and Policies Program (ISP).