DAMMAM, 22 April 2007 — The British Trade Office in Alkhobar launched a new initiative by declaring a four-day Saudi-British Week starting today.

Terry Evans, Head of the British Trade Office, said “British Week started off as British Day. My idea was to hold a conference on trade with a central theme of business development through training and education solutions.”

“The idea was well received both in the UK and in Eastern Province and like a snowball, grew and evolved into Saudi-British Week — a week packed with activities, providing a platform for two-way trade, including conferences, workshops and networking events,” she further said.

Events include a joint conference with the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Women in Business Day, trips for visiting trade delegates to Jubail and arranged visits to key educational facilities.

Le Gulf Meridien Hotel in Alkhobar, in support of the Saudi-British Week, simultaneously runs a “British Food Week.” The week sees five visiting British trade delegations representing 50 companies from various sectors, including education, training, food, commerce and industry.

Stakeholders include the Middle East Association, Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, The Black Country Chamber of Commerce, UKTI Yorkshire & The Humber and the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA).

A key part of the week’s events is a “Women in Business Exchange”, which follows the week’s theme of business development.

Co-organizer for the event is Nadia Al-Dossary, CEO of Al-Sale Eastern Limited, and recently named top Saudi businesswoman.

“There has been great interest from Saudi businesswomen in this event which will be facilitated for us by the industry exchange. It is an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with visiting female trade delegates from Britain,” she said.

Evans said “new initiatives and new ideas are possible when we combine resources and work together. I hope to see many Saudi businesses at our events during the week and am sure that all attendees will benefit.”

Sponsors of the conference are: Saudi British Bank, Saad Group, Naizak, Al-Binali Group, Al-Khuaimi Group, Al-Jabr Group, Al-Rawabi Holding Co Ltd., KPMG and South Rub Al-Khali (SRAK).