Here’s a list of projects under Saudi-UAE 'Strategy of Resolve'

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed chaired the first meeting of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council in Jeddah on Wednesday, the Kingdom's Center of International Communication said in a statement.

The Council endorsed the “Strategy of Resolve” which was established as part of an agreement between the two countries in May 2016.

The strategy comprises three main pillars: economic; human and knowledge; and political, security and military.

A timeframe of five years has been set to implement the 60 joint projects out of 175 total initiatives outlined in the strategy.

Argaam has compiled a list of some of the major projects under each pillar below:

1) Economic pillar:

- Establishing a joint investment fund to invest in small and medium enterprises in industrial sectors, in partnership with the private sector.

- Developing a strategic medical stock plan, establishing a joint plant for the manufacture of sensitive medical drugs, and establishing a joint reference laboratory to achieve safety standards in this field and exchange experiences, cadres and medical staff.

- Joint cooperation in the field of taxation.

- Setting up a dedicated office to facilitate economic activities, and launching a unified electronic portal linking the two countries to follow-up on complaints and suggestions concerning common customs and markets.

- Improving traffic flow in ports by addressing obstacles facing cross-border trade and proposing solutions.

- Establishing a joint venture company for agricultural investment, with a capital of AED 5 billion, to contribute to the provision of imported commodities to both countries and achieve sustainable food security.

- Adopting a unified strategy for food security in both countries to harness productive resources (agriculture, livestock and fisheries) and working on joint strategic projects to enhance future food security of the two countries.

- Establishing a research center to develop and localize desalination technologies.

- Establishing the Saudi-Emirati Investment Fund for Renewable Energy to attract large and startup companies and support them in funding research and development projects.

- Implementing the Gulf electrical interconnection system, in order to benefit from the energy production capacity of both countries.

- Exchange of experiences and expertise in the nuclear energy sector.

- Launching a common vision for developing tourism in both countries, in order to attract more visitors to the region.

- Establishing an investment advisory board, with the aim of cooperation and knowledge transfer in the field of foreign investment and coordination.

- Cooperation in creating investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

- Launching a housing solutions program to further develop housing services, and reduce the challenges facing the sector.

- Launching residential welfare programme for the citizens of the two countries, with the aim of incentivizing financing agencies to provide housing products to citizens.

- International joint investment in the oil, gas and petrochemical sector.

- Cooperate in applications to convert carbon dioxide into petroleum products.

2) Human and knowledge pillar:

- Cooperation between higher education institutions to promote common programs between Saudi and UAE universities.

- Launching a digital education system, which includes a digital file for each student that enables him/her to explore the future of each career sector and sets expectations for the learner’s academic and professional path based on artificial intelligence systems.

- Establishing the Saudi-Emirati Committee for Technical Education Policy, which will harmonize strategies, standards and professional qualifications between the two countries.

- Establishing a virtual college to provide appropriate technical disciplines, aiming to create a global Arab smart platform that includes training programs and materials, virtual exercises, and technical and vocational qualifications.

3) Political, security and military pillar:

- This axis includes a number of initiatives such as the joint manufacturing of ammunition, light weapons, vehicles, and electronic shooting systems, as well as cooperation and coordination in foreign military assistance, cooperation in the maintenance of military systems, and standardization of the military industry.