A nine-member Pakistani delegation held talks with Saudi businessmen on increasing rice exports to the Kingdom. They also explored prospects of establishing a rice-packaging factory in the Kingdom.

The Kazakh delegation signed an agreement with Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) on expanding commercial, industrial and investment cooperation between the two countries.

The Russian delegation, comprising 15 delegates representing specialists in petroleum, gas and nanotechnology, discussed with Saudis prospects of cooperation, especially in dry oil wells.

The chairman of the Ivory Coast Chamber led a group of businessmen and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand cooperation in various fields, especially in the areas of holding exhibitions and exchanging information and expertise.

The last day of JEF saw the signing of other memorandums of understanding between JCCI and the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AGCCI) and Arab-British Chamber of Commerce.

Abdulaziz Al-Mikhlafi, secretary-general of AGCCI, who is leading a delegation of 25 German businessmen, said Saudi Arabia is one of Germany's major trading partners in the region.

"The signing of MOU with the Jeddah chamber would contribute to developing commercial, investment and industrial relations between the two countries," Al-Mikhlafi told Arab News.

He said the volume of annual trade between Saudi Arabia and Germany has reached more than $8 billion. He said the agreement would also help the two sides to explore prospects of establishing joint ventures.

Afnan Al-Shuaiby, secretary-general of Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, said the two sides had earlier signed an MOU in 2008. "The new MOU aims at expanding trade, information and logistical exchange to develop relations in new areas, including in culture," she said. "At present we have 75 joint training program with Saudi Arabia," she added.

Al-Shuaiby said the Arab-British chamber in cooperation with the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry has developed a new training program for the newly recruited Saudi employees. "This program is now being conducted by major companies in both countries," she pointed out.

The Arab-British Chamber organized the first Gulf European exhibition in London last year, Al-Shuaiby said, adding that Fahd Al-Sultan, secretary-general of CSCCI, opened the show.