GAFT started a specialized training program entitled "Negotiating Skills and Techniques" in cooperation with the Institute for Global Negotiation, in the presence of the Governor in Riyadh, on September 15-19, 2024, with the participation of (12) governmental entities; aimed at enhance the Government employees' skills in negotiation, and enabling them to negotiate free trade agreements Effectively and successfully.

The program aims to develop participants' skills in the fundamentals of negotiation, tools for analyzing negotiation and conflict resolution, strategies for different negotiation approaches, application of specific negotiation skills during different stages of the negotiation process, understanding the role of culture, body language, and teamwork in navigating successful negotiations, analyzing parties' fundamental interests to design effective strategies for securing sustainable outcomes to complex problems, and critically reflecting upon and evaluating their own negotiation experiences.

Mr. Nasser Aldegaither, Deputy Governor of Shared Services, highlighted the Authority's support in enabling the representatives of government entities to hold such training programs and learn from the global experiences in holding trade negotiations in the Kingdom, and enhancing the skills of government entities' employees in trade agreements.

The Saudi negotiating team, chaired by the General Authority for Foreign Trade, oversees the conduct of trade negotiations through the (9) negotiating teams; to ensure that they are consistent with the Kingdom's trade objectives and policies, participates in trade negotiations to incorporate the Kingdom's negotiating positions, and coordinates with countries with similar objectives in international trade.

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