JEDDAH, 16 August — Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad has announced a visit to India by Riyadh Governor Prince Salman.

And Indian Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha will soon be coming to Riyadh for the joint economic commission (JEC) meeting.

“We’re looking forward to  finalizing the itinerary of Prince Salman,” the ambassador told Arab News on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day. “And during the JEC meeting, we’ll propose new joint ventures and further strengthen our existing ventures in areas such as petrochemicals, shipping, information technology and plastics manufacturing,” he added.

The bilateral investment protection and promotion agreement (BIPPA), already initialed, will be signed during the minister’s visit, Ahmad said. He added that a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) will be among the issues on the JEC meeting.

“JEC could be an important instrument in furthering bilateral cooperation. In fact, we are poised to expand the cooperation,” he said.

On the political front, he said, an agreement had been finalized for cooperation in combating crime and drug trafficking, and matters related to illegal arms and terrorism.

On the cultural front, the ambassador announced that the capital will witness an exhibition on Indian women’s traditional and modern dresses in November and a major costume exhibition next February.

The ambassador said his country “very strongly supports” Saudization. “As part of our friendship and partnership, we are keen to enhance the skills and capabilities of young Saudis. That’s how we’re focusing on the setting up of small and medium enterprises in the service sectors like IT, tourism, media and small manufacturing industries. Already, some of our IT institutions like NIIT and APTEC are providing training in computer related skills locally.”

With 200,000 Indian pilgrims coming for the Haj and Umrah annually, the new Umrah regulations will enable pilgrims and businessmen to travel to tourist places like Taif, Abha and Madain Saleh.

“Such visits add to the knowledge of Indians back home, who are not very aware of the Kingdom’s historical and leisure resources,” he said.

He also hoped more Saudis would visit India, which offers “good, affordable accommodation as well as many other attractions like sports and shopping — to name only two of them.”

“Our jewelry and silk have always been a draw for overseas visitors,” he said.