JEDDAH, 27 April 2004 — Belgium is very keen to transfer technology to Saudi Arabia. This is partly because the country’s trade with the Kingdom needs to be expanded. One way of doing this is to transfer technology so that bilateral trade gets a boost, said Belgian Ambassador to the Kingdom Rudi Schellinck.
Belgium has a fairly well developed construction industry. With the Kingdom witnessing a boom in building construction, Belgium wants to transfer technology in this sector, the ambassador said.
Six companies from the country’s Walloon region are here looking for local business partners for their high-tech products related to building construction. They are showcasing their products and services at the ongoing Saudi Building & Interiors Show at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center. “We’re showcasing high-tech products that enjoy a special niche,” Schellinck told Arab News in an interview.
Belgium is a small country — 30,000 sq. km. in area with a population of 10 million. Its Walloon region (or Wallonia) is one of the three administrative regions, which make up the federal state. It has its own government and own legislative assembly, which are both located in Namur, the regional capital of Wallonia.
Located a step away from Brussels, the capital of the European Union — a market of 375 million consumers, Wallonia nestles in a zone of intensive commercial, economic and financial activity and with its ultra-modern communications network, it is a major hub for distribution services in Northern Europe.
“However, the whole of Belgium wants to share a bigger piece of cake,” the ambassador said referring to the Kingdom as a potentially rich and expanding market.
“Our bilateral trade amounts to $1.1 billion,” he said. Belgian exports to the Kingdom is $800 million, while its imports from the Kingdom around $300 million.
“We buy a small amount of oil directly from the Kingdom. Most of our oil comes from spot-purchases via Rotterdam,” he explained.
Schellinck, a career diplomat for 31 years, served his country in the Philippines, Austria, Italy, South Africa, Spain and France. “Our community here is very small, about 350 Kingdomwide,” he remarked.
