RIYADH: Aimed at enhancing Saudi Arabia’s economic and trade cooperation with European countries, the Kingdom’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim held high-level meetings with diplomats from Switzerland and the Slovak Republic in Riyadh. During the meeting between the minister and Yasmine Chatila Zwahlen, ambassador of Switzerland to the Kingdom, the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral economic and investment relations, as well as addressed recent developments of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The meeting was held at the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning headquarters in Riyadh. The minister also held talks with the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the Kingdom, Rudolf Michalka, at his office. Their meeting also focused on economic relations, identifying potential investment opportunities, fostering trade cooperation, and exchanging information on recent developments. During an official visit to Riyadh in November 2022, Swiss Finance Minister Ueli Maurer held a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Mohammed Al-Jadaan as both ministers signed a cooperation agreement to mark the inauguration of the third Saudi-Swiss financial dialogue. Lauding the strength of the Saudi economy, the Swiss minister stressed the importance of bilateral dialogues in developing economic activities in the two friendly countries and strengthening the role of Switzerland as a strategic partner for the Kingdom in achieving the goals of Vision 2030. Meanwhile, top delegates from Saudi Arabia and Slovakia held meetings in May to discuss ways to strengthen their relationship and boost economic ties between both countries. Among the sectors discussed were contracting, real estate, tourism, energy, healthcare, and information technology, the Saudi Press Agency reported. “The forum is the first between Saudi and Slovak businessmen, indicating that the relations between the two countries are entering a new phase in light of the great interest of the business sector in Slovakia,” Michalka said at that time. With the opening of the Slovak Embassy in Riyadh, the bilateral relations between the countries have flourished, driving the volume of trade to SR1.2 billion ($320 million) in 2022, up 56 percent from the previous year.