Britons in EP celebrate queen’s birthday

The British diplomatic community in Alkhobar celebrated Queen Elizabeth’s 87th birthday on Sunday. The function was attended by business people, community members and diplomats.
In his welcome speech, Ambassador Sir John Jenkins emphasized the strong relations between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
He said that trade and business ties were also “very strong.”
“We have many trade missions and delegations coming to Saudi Arabia,” he said. “In December last year, 46 British companies came to visit the Kingdom, especially the Eastern Province. Many of these companies are now in various stages of setting up joint ventures and doing actual business in the Kingdom.
“Generally the message that we give to the companies is that if they want to do business and succeed in the Kingdom, they need to have presence here and have footprint in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
He said British businessmen and women face difficulty getting Saudi visa in a short time, and wished the Saudi government would help to ease the visa process for these investors so that “everyone would have chance to join the Saudi market.”
He stressed that Saudi businessmen and women are welcome to invest in the UK. “We will provide any help needed to facilitate everything for them and will help to reduce the fees and taxes,” he said.
Ambassador Jenkins has been in Riyadh for a year and has served in many Arab countries before. “I am familiar with the environment and the Arab culture,” he said. “I love Arabic music, culture, lifestyle. Everything is just beautiful.”
“I have lived in Kuwait, Abu Dubai and Libya. I worked as an Ambassador in Benghazi and Baghdad. My family loves Saudi life and style and we really love Saudi Arabia,” he said.
He said that he and his wife were grateful for the opportunity they have to get to know something of and about Saudi Arabia and of the Saudi people. “It has been a privilege and an honor to serve my Queen and my country here,” he said.