JEDDAH, 5 October 2003 — The formation of a Saudi German Business Group (SGBG), with Khaled Juffali as chairman, was announced on Friday. Constituted under the auspices of the German Consulate General, the announcement was made on the occasion of the German unification day on Friday and on the eve of the visit of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
“The group’s objective is to enhance commercial activity between the two countries and offer a contact point to German companies and business leaders who want to visit or learn about the Kingdom, aside from promoting Saudi-German friendship and mutual understanding,” Juffali said.
“We’re planning initially a membership of 200 Saudi and German businessmen. Our members will be entitled to a preferred processing of visas for Germany and special discounts from participating companies, airlines and hotels,” he added.
German Consul General Dr. Stephan Keller said: “Germany is a country acknowledged for its culture, science and technology. It’s one of the leading export nations. German products and services enjoy a high reputation in the Kingdom. However, in the perception of the Saudi population, especially businessmen in Jeddah, the country’s culture, products and services, with some notable exceptions, are little known.”
On the other hand, he added: “The Kingdom with its long history and rich tradition enjoys an image in the West that is distorted and does not reflect reality. The newly formed group will bridge that yawning gap and promote bilateral relations and understanding. The group will also offer a contact point to former Saudi students in Germany and to Saudis who want to visit Germany.
Amr M. Khashoggi, chairman and CEO of Amkest Group, gave a presentation on the new group and said its activities would include regular meetings and workshops. It is planning a health workshop in January 2004. Its social activities will involve spouses under the banner Saudi-German Women Group with their exclusive activities.
Its board members include Amr Enany, vice chairman of the Enany Group of Companies at whose premises the German national day was celebrated, Youssef Banaja, Konrad Keim, Dr. Michael Bitzer, Ali Alireza, Erich Kaeser, Saleh Binladen, Wolfgang Zuppe and Gert Homeyer.