Since the launch of Vision 2030 exactly five years ago, the Saudi leadership has left no stone unturned to achieve the goals of the ambitious reform program, which includes the diversification of the Kingdom’s sources of revenue by encouraging investment in all sectors. Despite the global health crisis, the authorities in the Kingdom are making persistent efforts to create an atmosphere conducive to investment, which will ultimately benefit the citizens and led to the overall development of the country. Several bodies are working together to achieve a common goal. In today’s article, we will briefly discuss one of the specialized entities that is working relentlessly for the socioeconomic transformation of Saudi Arabia. It is called the Saudi Center for International Strategic Partnerships (SCISP). Organizationally linked to the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, the center enjoys an independent legal personality and financial and administrative independence. Its functions and competencies are governed by a legal framework that has been reviewed by experts and is based on best international practices. The center coordinates all measures the Kingdom takes to forge strategic partnerships with its international partners. It ensures seamless work between different local entities to devise joint strategies with foreign allies and helps in following up on the progress of those projects. The center is playing a key role in the development of the Kingdom. The coronavirus pandemic has made it all the more important for countries to make a coordinated effort to achieve their national goals without wasting resources. The center’s role as a coordinator between different parties helps reduce time and effort. The center’s board of directors have the authority to carry out all tasks that contribute to achieving the above mentioned goals, including working with the relevant government and private agencies on everything that is needed to develop these international strategic partnerships. It also conducts studies and sets standards that help to identify countries that can be linked to the Kingdom by effective strategic partnership. When results are achieved, the center’s tasks extend to following up the results of these partnerships, in addition to proposing appropriate measures to enhance results and achieve goals effectively. Perhaps the most important tasks of the center are to study and evaluate opportunities for international strategic partnerships, assign them to the proper and competent authorities and evaluate them, as well as to determine their compatibility with the Kingdom’s needs — in both the private and public sectors. Furthermore, the center has been tasked with setting goals and updating plans every five years to ensure that these strategic partnerships serve the current needs of the Kingdom and have a positive economic impact not only on the Kingdom but also on its partners. • Dimah Talal Alsharif is a Saudi legal consultant, head of the health law department at the law firm of Majed Garoub and a member of the International Association of Lawyers. Twitter: @dimah_alsharif Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News" point-of-view