Potential of Sino-Arab economic cooperation highlighted

China and Arab states have substantial potential to deepen their economic and trade relations, particularly in the financial and energy sectors, boosting growth for both sides and contributing to global economic recovery, experts and business leaders said on Thursday.

Driven by the tangible growth of the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Arab states are likely to expand business ties in areas such as the digital economy, finance, new infrastructure, clean energy, trade in services and high-end manufacturing, they said.

Mohammed Al Ajlan, chairman of the Saudi-Chinese Business Council, said that with China entering a new era of green and innovation-led growth, Arab companies are optimistic about its long-term growth potential and see abundant opportunities arising from the country's focus on the high-end manufacturing industry and the digital economy.