JEDDAH, 24 April — Saudi Arabia’s investment and tourist potential dominated the discussions between the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the leader of a 25-member British trade mission here yesterday.
Lawrie Walker, a former British consul general in Jeddah who has been leading his country’s trade teams since his retirement from the diplomatic service four years ago, told Arab News that he, accompanied by Commercial Consul Gareth O’Brien, had in-depth discussions with Muhammad A. Al-Sharif, assistant secretary-general for commercial and industrial affairs at the JCCI.
“We’ve identified the vast potential existing in the Kingdom for British investors, businessmen and tourists and hope to take a long term perspective and explore the emerging economic scene to mutual advantage,” Walker said shortly before his delegation’s departure to Riyadh.
He said the Kingdom is a major importer of British goods and services. Last year, visible exports were worth about £1.6 billion. The Kingdom is one of UK’s largest export markets outside OECD and remained the biggest in the Middle East.
“The UK has been mounting its trade missions to this part of the world twice a year and they have gone a long way in strengthening bilateral relations,” Walker said.
One of the objectives of the current mission, which will be in Riyadh for the next three days and will visit the Eastern Province for another three days, was to address the growing need for vocational training for young Saudis and one-stop shop for investment.
The mission, organized by the Middle East Association, is supported by the British Offset Office which has taken initiatives to help encourage greater investment and assist the transfer of new technology through the Al-Yamamah Economic Offset Program.
