GAC CEO Dr. Fahad Alshathri Leads Delegation To Seoul International Competition Forum 2025

Dr. Fahad bin Ibrahim Alshathri, CEO of the General Authority for Competition (GAC), will head the Saudi delegation at the Seoul International Competition Forum 2025 on September 3 in South Korea. This involvement underscores GAC's dedication to showcasing Saudi Arabia's expertise in fostering fair competition within digital markets, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Recent technological advancements in Saudi Arabia have been significant, with internet penetration surpassing 99% and electronic payment solutions becoming widespread. These changes necessitate advanced regulatory frameworks to maintain a competitive and balanced market environment. Dr. Alshathri will participate in a panel discussion titled "Specific Issues in the Digital Sector: E-Commerce and OTT Services."

During this discussion, Dr. Alshathri will highlight GAC’s initiatives, such as tackling anti-competitive practices in food delivery apps and examining cross-border e-commerce impacts on local retailers. Additionally, he will discuss a regulatory guide for digital markets that sets fair rules for online platforms. These efforts aim to ensure fair competition and efficient market operations.

The forum agenda also includes a high-level meeting with the Korea Fair Trade Commission, involving its chairman and senior officials. This meeting will explore future cooperation opportunities, share strategic insights on digital market competition, and consider joint technical studies and regulatory initiatives.

The Saudi delegation is set to attend a specialized workshop on digital markets organized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Regional Centre for Competition (Policy Support Centre) from September 4–5. A bilateral meeting with the centre’s management will occur alongside this workshop to discuss enhancing coordination and exchanging institutional expertise.

This international engagement highlights Saudi Arabia's progress in establishing a modern competitive market environment. It also reaffirms GAC’s commitment to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s presence in global forums and contributing to developing regulatory policies for digital markets.

By participating in these events, Saudi Arabia aims to consolidate its position as an active global partner in competition matters, showcasing its advancements in building a competitive economy aligned with international standards.

With inputs from SPA