The Saudi pavilion, organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), hosted the Kingdom’s most prominent organizations and key government institutions including the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON), the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) and the Saudi Export Program.

The kingdom’s largest industrial organizations present included carpet manufacturers Al Sorayai Trading and Industrial Group, the refining company PetroRabigh, Al Zamil Group, Ethmar Dates, The National Petrochemical Industrial Co. (NATPET), Medical Appliances Corporation (SPIMACO), The Savola Group, Al Abdullatif Industrial Investment Company, Saudi-Aramco, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and Watania Plastics.

Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah Zainal Alireza, who inaugurated the trade fair, said: “The Kingdom’s participation aims to showcase its world-class prowess in trade and industry, reflecting the rapid development and strategic growth achieved in all sectors due to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s visionary policies. Aside from offering welfare programs to Saudi citizens, the policies give a message to all investors abroad to benefit from the Kingdom’s political and economic stability, and its openness to foreign relations and partnerships.”

The Saudi-European Economic Forum was held on the first day of the trade fair, which successfully highlighted the importance of the Kingdom’s trade relationship with Belgium. High-level speakers at the forum included Alireza, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, former Saudi Ambassador to the UK and the US, and Professor Herman De Croo, minister of state and former president of the federal Parliament of Belgium.

Discussions focused on the great strides Saudi Arabia has taken in diversifying its economy over the recent years as well as exchanging views and opinions on how to strengthen trade ties between Saudi Arabia and the European Union.

Thanking the Belgian government for inviting the Kingdom to be the guest of honor at the fair, Alireza had a word of praise for the efforts and facilities provided to the Kingdom’s pavilion.

“This will positively impact the relationship between the two kingdoms, and help visitors to our pavilion to better understand our rich culture and heritage, and highlight our economic strength.”