RIYADH, 10 December 2007 — Germany should keep on fine-tuning its engineering and technological expertise if it is to retain its position as the Kingdom’s largest trading partner, said Gerd M. Doepner, representative of German Industry & Commerce for Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, yesterday.
During the German catalog show of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce at the Al-Khozama Hotel that opened here yesterday, Doepner said that German leadership in engineering and technology is seen in the various products which Germany exports to Saudi Arabia such machinery, cars, medical equipment, among others. Germany has relied on its superior engineering and technology to rise to third from fourth biggest trading partner of Saudi Arabia, he added.
Doepner further said “German youth undergo basic training in German schools. They are made to repair cars for a number of years. Later on, they are given excellent professional training. This has offset what Germany lacks in natural resources.”
The catalog show is aimed at highlighting the German engineering and technological expertise for Saudis to be well informed and updated on the latest products Germany offers.
German Ambassador Juergen Krieghoff, who attended the opening of the show, underscored the importance of the event, saying “there’s a need for the citizens of both countries to know each other more. They are supposed to have long-standing relationship and yet they don’t have.”
“It allows German and Saudi businessmen to meet and get to know each other. The Germans also have the opportunity to offer their products to the Saudis. Needless to say, the catalog show is a good way to do business,” he said.
Eighteen German companies are participating in the catalog show.
According to the latest published report, German exports to the Kingdom increased by 124 percent to SR20.4 billion ($5.4 billion) in 2006 from SR9.1 billion ($2.4 billion) in 2000.