As Part of the Knowledge Hub's Activities
The National Competitiveness Center and the World Bank Group organized a regional workshop on the Business Readiness (B-Ready) report methodology. The workshop, which began today in Riyadh, aims to provide comprehensive information on the report's framework and methodology.
H.E. Dr. Eiman Al-Mutairi, Vice Minister of Commerce and CEO of the National Competitiveness Center, addressed 100 participants from Saudi and Gulf government agencies during the workshop. She highlighted the landmark partnership between the Kingdom (represented by NCC) and the World Bank Group, which has launched a pioneering initiative to strengthen international cooperation and advance sustainable development across member states. This was achieved by establishing a global knowledge hub that contributes to the exchange of expertise and insights based on the Kingdom's experience in implementing economic reforms and the expertise of the World Bank.
In her speech, Her Excellency addressed the most prominent reforms implemented to enhance the Kingdom's competitiveness, and the mechanisms for integrating the efforts of 60 Saudi government agencies that have contributed to the implementation of more than 900 economic reforms since 2016 in 9 key areas, including government service efficiency; the business environment; labor and investment; finance; technological innovation; transparency and accountability; healthcare; education; and sustainable development. She further noted that Saudi Arabia's business environment reforms, including 1,200 updated regulations and bylaws, have propelled the Kingdom to become a top global destination for attracting corporate investment and entrepreneurship.
The World Bank's Country Director for the GCC countries, Ms. Safaa El Tayeb El-Kogali, praised the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the World Bank Group. She noted that the workshop was organized in close cooperation with the National Competitiveness Center as the first event of the Knowledge Hub and part of the campaign to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the partnership between the Bank and the Kingdom.
She said the workshop aims to familiarize GCC governments with the World Bank's B-Ready report methodology, which seeks to help countries improve their business environment by promoting investment and entrepreneurship, creating jobs, and improving living standards.
The workshop, which will run until the 18th of this month, is a part of the activities of the Knowledge Hub affiliated with the World Bank Group and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The workshop aims to shed light on the new B-Ready report, which assesses the business and investment climates in 180 economies around the world. Furthermore, this workshop is particularly important as the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are scheduled to be included in the 2026 report, with the exception of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which will be included in this year's report.
