Businessmen build new links at RCCI forum

RIYADH: Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC) on Tuesday hosted the annual gathering of Saudi businessmen in the presence of ministers, senior officials and diplomats.
Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has been organizing the event for its members for the last two decades attended by princes, ministers and top management of both government and private sector companies.
Abdurrahman Al-Jeraisi, RCCI board chairman, together with other members of the board of directors, accorded a warm welcome to the guests and businessmen. The invitees exchanged views on issues concerning business sector and the national economy, and its relation to the international economy.
Al-Jeraisi hoped the meeting would expand joint understanding between businessmen and senior government officials in a matter that will serve the interests of the nation, boost the national economy and create good environment for the private sector to undertake its role.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of RCCI Saad Al-Muajjal touched on the new developmental projects planned for RICEC including the expansion of the RICEC area by 10,000 meters and the construction of a multi-story parking plots accommodating some 2,000 cars.
He said the community of businessmen in Riyadh is the biggest business gathering in the Kingdom and is given due care by the government. In this context, he expressed thanks to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman, vice custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for their support to the RCCI and its projects.
On the other hand, a number of diplomats accredited to the Kingdom attended the event aimed at cementing business and commercial relations between the businessmen in their respective countries and their Saudi counterparts.
A Japanese envoy in the Kingdom said his embassy used to attend such meetings, as it is a good opportunity to create and promote cooperation between the embassy representatives and Saudi businessmen in Riyadh.
On the activities of Japanese companies in the Kingdom, especially in the training area, the envoy said Japanese companies have so far contributed to the establishment of three training centers where some 3,000 students graduated from those centers in auto and plastic industries sectors.
He appreciated facilities and cooperation provided by the Labor Ministry and Saudi businessmen for transferring the Japanese experiences to Saudi youths.
On the other hand, a group of young businessmen attended the event and said their presence came to demonstrate their role in the activities of business community in Riyadh.
Such meetings will allow exchange of views between young businessmen and governmental officials who habitually attend those meetings, they said.