ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY. SBC Institutional Programme Series No. 1
Building Trusted Institutional Pathways for International Economic Cooperation
The Economic Diplomacy Programme is the Saudi Business Council's principal institutional programme for strengthening responsible international cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the global community.
As an independent, non-profit, private-sector association legally registered in the National Register of Associations (Registro Nacional de Asociaciones) of the Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Spain under Registration Number 633101, the Saudi Business Council (SBC) promotes economic diplomacy as a structured process of institutional cooperation that supports sustainable development, strategic partnerships, responsible investment dialogue, and long-term international collaboration in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The Programme recognises that modern economic diplomacy extends beyond traditional trade promotion. It brings together governments, public institutions, businesses, investors, universities, development institutions, international organisations, and civil society to address shared economic opportunities through structured governance, institutional dialogue, and implementation-oriented cooperation.
Rather than facilitating commercial transactions, the Programme seeks to strengthen the institutional environment in which responsible international cooperation can develop.
Programme Purpose
The Economic Diplomacy Programme provides a structured platform for promoting constructive engagement between Saudi Arabia and international stakeholders.
Its purpose is to:
- Strengthen international economic cooperation
- Promote responsible institutional dialogue
- Support strategic partnership development
- Encourage sustainable investment cooperation
- Facilitate knowledge exchange
- Promote evidence-based international engagement
- Support implementation-oriented collaboration
- Contribute to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030
The Programme encourages long-term institutional relationships founded upon transparency, professionalism, and mutual respect.
Strategic Areas
The Programme supports cooperation across a broad range of strategic sectors, including:
- International Trade
- Investment
- Manufacturing
- Infrastructure
- Innovation
- Technology
- Digital Transformation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Healthcare
- Tourism
- Sustainability
- Entrepreneurship
- Human Capital Development
These sectors reflect the multidisciplinary nature of contemporary economic diplomacy and the evolving priorities of international cooperation.
Institutional Methodology
The Programme is implemented through the institutional methodologies developed by the Saudi Business Council.
These include:
- Council of 5 Framework
- Saudi Partnership Dossier
- Partner Lifecycle
- Economic Diplomacy Strategy
- Strategic Research Programme
- Institutional Partnership Framework
Together, these methodologies provide a structured framework for transforming institutional dialogue into implementation-ready partnerships.
Programme Activities
Activities undertaken within the Economic Diplomacy Programme may include:
- Institutional dialogue
- Strategic roundtables
- Executive forums
- Research initiatives
- Policy discussions
- Partnership development
- International conferences
- Educational programmes
- Delegations
- Knowledge exchange
- Capacity-building initiatives
Activities are designed according to the strategic objectives and governance requirements of participating organisations.
Who the Programme Serves
The Programme supports cooperation involving:
- Governments and public institutions
- Companies and family businesses
- Small and medium-sized enterprises
- Investors and financial institutions
- Universities and research centres
- Development institutions
- International organisations
- Professional associations
- Foundations
- Innovation ecosystems
Participation is based upon institutional alignment and the Council's governance principles.
Strategic Contribution
The Economic Diplomacy Programme contributes to Saudi Vision 2030 by encouraging international cooperation that supports:
- Economic Diversification
- Private-Sector Development
- Responsible Investment
- Innovation
- Entrepreneurship
- International Connectivity
- Knowledge Exchange
- Human Capital Development
- Sustainable Economic Growth
The Programme complements national priorities through structured international cooperation while fully respecting the legal mandates and institutional responsibilities of the competent Saudi authorities.
Guiding Principles
The Programme is governed by the Saudi Business Council's institutional principles:
- Integrity
- Independence
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Responsible Governance
- Respect for Sovereignty
- Evidence-Based Decision-Making
- Long-Term Partnership
- Sustainable Development
These principles guide every programme, initiative, publication, and institutional engagement undertaken within the Economic Diplomacy Programme.
Institutional Notice
The Economic Diplomacy Programme is an institutional programme of the Saudi Business Council.
The Saudi Business Council (SBC) is an independent, non-profit, private-sector association legally registered in the National Register of Associations (Registro Nacional de Asociaciones) of the Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Spain under Registration Number 633101 and NIF G26608752.
SBC is not a governmental authority, ministry, chamber of commerce, regulator, licensing body, investment authority, diplomatic mission, or public institution.
Unless expressly authorised in writing for a specific purpose, SBC does not represent the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, or any sovereign institution.
Participation in this Programme does not constitute governmental endorsement, regulatory approval, investment authorisation, or access to public authorities. All governmental decisions remain within the competence of the relevant institutions.
The Economic Diplomacy Programme reflects the Saudi Business Council's commitment to strengthening international cooperation through responsible governance, institutional dialogue, strategic partnership development, and implementation-oriented collaboration.
By promoting trusted institutional relationships, the Programme contributes to sustainable international economic cooperation in support of Saudi Vision 2030 and long-term global prosperity.