JEDDAH: Arturo Trejo, Mexican ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has called for a stronger bilateral relationship.

“Thousands of Saudis are in the United States for pursuing studies, doing business or as tourists. They all can enter Mexico without an additional visa and enjoy a country that is full of historic, cultural, gastronomic and natural diversity,” the ambassador said on Sunday.

He was speaking at the opening of the Mexico Honorary Consul Office in Jeddah,

“This reopening is of historic significance and I am very happy that Ali Husein Alireza has agreed to be our new representative,” he said.

“As you know very well, Alireza is a very distinguished businessman who belongs to an old and well established family in this city for several generations,” Trejo said, adding that his government acknowledges the very important role of “our honorary consuls in the development of our relations specifically with the business communities.”

The envoy said: “I am sure Alireza is the right person for this function and will have a very distinguished role in developing a new and more dynamic era in the relations between our countries.”

Trejo said: “Thus far, we have enjoyed excellent political relations and our countries have been continuously promoting cooperation in the fields of education, science and technology. I am very proud to mention that since the opening of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), the number of Mexican students has been one of the largest here.”

Trejo added: “We have nowadays a group of around 60 young scholars participating in research programs of this very distinguished institution. Nevertheless, I must mention that our excellent ties do not mirror in our economic relations. While our bilateral trade has reached over $1.3 billion, it is still far from attaining its full potential given the size and complementariness of our economies.”

The fact that the bilateral trade has grown more than five folds over the past 10 years is indicative of the interesting opportunities that can be unleashed doing the proper promotion work. "So, we have to bring our business communities together and explore new ways for increasing our trade and investment flows both ways. Tourism is another important aspect that we need to work on and it is a subject I know Alireza has particular interest in developing.”

According to the latest figures, Mexico receives more than 24 million visitors a year and Saudi Arabia more than 13 million, "but we have very few reciprocal visitors,” Trejo pointed out.

Trejo said: “We have to do more to promote Mexico as a friendly and interesting touristic destination for Saudis. One thing still very few people know is that all persons of any nationality holding a valid US visa can freely enter Mexico.”

Andres Galvan, consul and political affairs, at the Embassy of Mexico, Khaled A. Almaeena, senior management consultant at Al Abeer Group and Jesus Bravo, on-site manager at Clear Reef (Water Zoos & Aquariums Experts), were among those present.