RIYADH, 11 April 2003 — A large number of businessmen are expected to participate in a major international trade show to be held in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, an official source at the Chinese Embassy here told Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News.
“I think about 1,500 to 2,000 Saudi businessmen will participate in the exhibition,” he said, adding that the show will be held in two phases from April 15 to 20 and 25 to 30.
The large-scale Saudi participation in the show reflects the growing trade relations between the two countries. Bilateral trade rose to $5.1 billion (SR19.13 billion) last year from $4.2 billion (SR15.75 billion) in 2001.
The unprecedented increase in Saudi-Chinese trade comes ahainst the backdrop of a major decline in the Kingdom’s trade with the United States.
Many Saudis and expatriates in the Kingdom have stopped purchasing US products to protest biased American policy favoring Israel and the US-led war on Iraq.
“There has been a big demand for visas from Saudi businessmen to visit China, especially after the Sept. 11, 2001 events in the United States. Dozens of visas are issued daily,” he said.
Last January, a 90-member Saudi business delegation led by Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, visited China and met with top Chinese officials. A Saudi-Chinese business council has been established to promote trade relations.
The source said the Guangzhou expo from April 15 to 20 will feature electronic and electric products, heavy industrial equipment, textiles and clothes as well as medical, health and chemical products.
Exhibits in the second phase will include foodstuff, livestock products and light industries. “There will be thousands of exhibitors to display more than 100,000 products,” the source pointed out.
