Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between October 24-29 to attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute’s fifth conference where he advanced the Administration’s Build Back Better World (B3W) initiative; promoted U.S. green economy and infrastructure products and services as opportunities to support the Kingdom’s climate objectives; and promoted women’s empowerment in tech, innovation and workforce development.

During the trip, Deputy Secretary Graves participated in a fireside chat at FII alongside French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Franck Riester and discussed the importance of U.S.-E.U. collaboration on supply chains and the necessity of broader global cooperation to address the trade issues of the future. They also met for a separate bilateral engagement to discuss the B3W initiative.

Deputy Secretary Graves also met with Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., Princess Reema, and several Saudi business leaders to discuss societal changes occurring across the Kingdom and its goal of increasing women’s participation in the Saudi workforce. He highlighted the Department’s interest in supporting Saudi businesswomen’s participation in the SelectUSA Investment Summit and the Select Global Women in Tech Mentorship and Training Network. Additionally, the Deputy Secretary and Ambassador Princess Reema discussed her upcoming participation in a Women Empowered Leave Legacies in Trade and Investment event focused on Saudi Arabia alongside Secretary Raimondo.

The Deputy Secretary also participated in several bilateral engagements with Saudi and other government officials. Additionally, he participated in a U.S. Commercial Service roundtable with U.S. private sector representatives operating in Saudi Arabia’s green economy sector to identify opportunities and discuss challenges they face.

“Historically, Saudi Arabia has provided numerous business opportunities for U.S. companies. It is a vibrant G20 economy and the United States’ second-largest trading partner in the Middle East,” Deputy Secretary Graves said. “Saudi Arabia’s new climate vision presents numerous opportunities for U.S. businesses to provide the products and services to support clean and green goals, as well as its initiative to increase women’s economic empowerment.”