RIYADH — The Shoura Council Monday virtually held its 32nd ordinary session of the second year of the eighth session, under the presidency of Speaker of the Shoura Council Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh.

The council reviewed issues listed on its agenda, including discussions of a report referred by the Education and Scientific Research Committee recited by Head of the Committee Dr. Nasser Al-Moussa. The report is concerned with the annual report of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for the 1440/1441 HIjri fiscal year.

The committee, in cooperation with stakeholders, suggested a strategy to stimulate the private sector to effectively contribute to supporting and financing scientific research and innovation, in a way that accords with its new trends and plans.

At the end of discussions, head of the committee called for having more time to study members' opinions and suggestions before reaching an opinion by the committee and refer to the council in a later session.

Meanwhile, the council issued a decision approving a draft agreement between the government of Saudi Arabia and Egypt regarding investments of the Public Investments Fund in Egypt, where the council made its decision after the Trade and Investment Committee extended its report showing its opinion on the draft agreement, which was recited by Head of the Committee Dr. Fahd Al-Takhifi.

The council also approved a draft cooperation agreement in the field of using and exchanging driver licenses between the government of Saudi Arabia and the government of Albania, where the council made its decision after the Security and Military Affairs Committee extended its opinion on the draft agreement, which was recited by Head of the Committee Retired Maj. Gen. Ali Assiri.

The council also voted on approving a report by the Foreign Affairs Committee regarding a draft memorandum of understanding on forming a strategic partnership council between the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, where the council made its decision after the committee extended its report on the draft memorandum, which was recited by Deputy Head of the Committee Huda Abdulrahman Al-Hilleissi.

The council also approved a draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Space Commission and the UK Space Agency for cooperation in the field of peaceful use of outer space. — SPA