How Khashoggi killing has affected economic forum
559 views · Published 29 October 2018 · 1:47 · Indexed 11 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(24 Oct 2018) LEADIN: In the wake of Jamal Khashoggi's death, many international business leaders and Western officials have pulled out of Saudi Arabia's high-profile investment conference. In a session at the forum, Saudi energy minister, Khalid Al-Falih, described the Saudi journalist's killing as "abhorrent." STORYLINE: A Saudi Arabia economic forum is being seen as a test for the country to attract foreign investment amid the international outcry over the killing of its journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October. Economists say the kingdom needs trillions of dollars in investments to create millions of new jobs for young Saudis entering the workforce in the coming years and the investment forum is aimed at attracting investors to help underwrite that effort. But in the wake of Khashoggi's slaying, many international business leaders and Western officials have pulled out of the forum. The event's first day saw several speakers acknowledge the killing of the Saudi writer whose columns criticised the crown prince's crackdown on dissent. Dozens of Saudi activists, writers, clerics and even women who were behind calls for the right to drive have been detained. At one summit session, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih described Khashoggi's slaying as "abhorrent." Still, the event proved it could draw investments with 55 billion US dollars in agreements pledged, much of that focused on Saudi Arabia's lucrative energy industry. Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest exporters of oil, has the Arab world's largest economy and is a key emerging market. Rather than cancel their participation altogether, some companies sent mid-level executives to keep lines of communication and business open with Saudi Arabia. There was a strong showing from Russian, Asian and African nations at the forum. Several participants in attendance from the US, including a hedge fund manager and staff from a US desalination company, declined to speak with The Associated Press at the forum, reflecting a general nervousness among American business people who were in attendance. The forum's subdued atmosphere received a jolt Tuesday when Prince Mohammed made a brief appearance and received a standing ovation from the audience. He was followed around by a crowd of mostly young Saudi men trying to catch an up-close glimpse of their country's most powerful prince. He even posed for selfies. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/2ea829f37327fe7478f6a62b544424cc
