The Saudi-American CEO Forum 2018, which kicked off in New York on Tuesday, witnessed the signing of around 36 MoUs with a total value of over $20 billion. The forum, which was attended by a number of ministers and officials from both countries and more than 200 prominent Saudi and American businessmen, was held in conjunction with the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to New York and reviewed Saudi-US economic relations and the means to promote bilateral trade and expand cultural awareness and understanding. The MoUs covered partnerships in various sectors, including health care, manufacturing, entertainment, education and ICT. Among the most important agreements signed on Tuesday were a partnership between Aramco and Google focusing on national cloud services and other technological opportunities, a five-year initiative between Ithraa and National Geographic and a partnership between Aramco and Raytheon to establish national cybersecurity services, as well as an MoU between the Saudi Development Fund and JPMorgan for cooperation in industrial finance in Saudi Arabia and a partnership between Al-Rashid International Company and SOS to provide medical services in the Kingdom with emphasis on clinics in remote areas. The forum stressed that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, launched by Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, provided broad economic and social reforms in Saudi Arabia, noting that these reforms were already translated in the rapid investment, economic and social growth in the Kingdom. Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said in his opening remarks: “Saudi Arabia’s path forward is a challenging and comprehensive one - encompassing financial and fiscal sectors”, adding: “Vision 2030 aims to deliver an expanding economy with sustainable momentum that generates business opportunities for our companies and our business partners in the US.” Wilbur Ross, the US secretary of commerce, urged US businesses to support Saudi Arabia in its Vision 2030 strategy to transform the Kingdom and help it achieve its ambitious program. “I believe Saudi Arabia has a very high probability of succeeding in its transformation, and to the extent that people here in this room get involved, Saudi will have a far higher chance of success,” Ross said.