By Reuters Staff
6 Min Read
DUBAI (Reuters) - The release of a U.S. intelligence report implicating Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has highlighted the political risk for companies and investors of doing business with the kingdom.
FILE PHOTO: Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman attends the Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2021. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS
Saudi Arabia, which rejected the report’s findings, is keen to attract foreign investors to help end its dependence on oil. The kingdom has also been scouting for deals abroad to transform itself into a global economic powerhouse.
Faisal Al-Bedah was recently appointed secretary-general of the Saudi Export Development Authority, also known as Saudi Exports.
Al-Bedah expressed his gratitude for the appointment and pledged to serve the Kingdom and help it achieve its goal of increasing non-oil exports to diversify the national economy.
He previously served as the secretary-general of the logistic services committee at the Transport Ministry.
Al-Bedah was the deputy governor for trade and facilitation at Saudi Customs from April 2017 to Feb. 2019. He then served as an adviser to the municipal and rural affairs minister between Feb. 2019 and Feb. 2020.
Al-Bedah obtained his bachelor’s degree in accounting from King Saud University in 2001. He obtained a master’s in finance from Prince Sultan University in 2009, and completed a management acceleration program at INSEAD in 2007.