JEDDAH, 25 January 2008 — Some of the major international companies participating in the four-day MENA-Ex 2008 said yesterday that they found the event a “rewarding experience.”
Aside from 191 national and international firms that are showcasing their products, the workshops held alongside the expo have been both “educational and informative.”
Many deals have been clinched or are in the pipeline, according to the organizers of the first international exhibition for mineral exploration and applications.
American, Australian, Canadian and Japanese participants and visitors especially spent a good deal of time interacting with their Saudi counterparts. The ongoing economic boom and potential requirements of mining equipment were among the topics in focus.
Kelly Kohun, political and economic attaché, and Hiba Suleiman, chief of protocol and assistant counsel, both of the US Embassy, visited the expo. Both toured various sections of the exhibition and acquainted themselves with the products and services showcased by the participants.
They met representatives of leading local and international companies that specialize in the mining and transportation sectors. Kelly said she was impressed with the number of visitors and expressed her admiration with the expertise of the participating overseas mining companies and local agencies.
Saudi Canadian Mining Services said that it had been its philosophy and strategy to provide a competitive, competent and professional multi-disciplinary services for the fast growing Saudi mining industry.
“The industry is growing as rapidly as other economic sectors due to the Kingdom’s dynamic vision to bring the Saudi mining industry to highest level of competency and productivity with the maximum involvement of Saudi nationals,” A. Gulaid, the firm’s president & CEO, said.
The company is providing multi-disciplinary services to the mining industry since 1995.
Anwar Husain, vice president of mining and business development and contracts, said the company is establishing a mineral analytical laboratory of international standard to provide the required mineral analysis to the fast growing mining industry in the Kingdom.
“The company has built up its mining capacity to meet the requirements of mining projects of World class level,” Husain added.
Gilles Buchard, director of technology sales at Rio Tinto Alcan Company that owns 49 percent of Maaden’s phosphate plant, expressed his admiration with the partnership his company enjoyed with Maaden.
He added that Alcan would provide the Saudi company its huge experience gained in different Arab and world markets including Oman and America.
“The integrated partnership between Alcan and Maaden will benefit investors and the market. We expect to launch mining activities in the Kingdom by 2011. By then we will obtain the required licenses and do some more researches in order to fully identify the mineral deposits in the Kingdom,” Buchard added.
Alcan recently signed a major agreement with Maaden.