JEDDAH, 14 February — A delegation from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry will visit Jeddah next week. The group includes representatives of various businesses, among them cables, fire protection, interior design and heating pipes.
In an interview with Arab News yesterday, British Consul General Andrew Henderson explained that the traditional easy ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia create a basis of trust in business dealings between the countries. "It is especially the older generation who have studied in the UK or visited there every year for tourism and pleasure who create a strong basis of understanding and trust for trade and investment."
Asked about the intention of this mission and others which are scheduled to follow it, Henderson said, "These delegations usually come here for purposes of trading rather than investment." Britain is among many countries competing to establish additional commercial ties with the Kingdom. The trade balance between the two countries has risen with British exports in 2000 up 5 percent to £2.6 billion. British exports to the Kingdom include chemicals, machinery, defense equipment and pharmaceuticals. Saudi exports to the UK have also increased.
Henderson continued, "Of course we are aware of competition in the Saudi market but we have to give it our best shot, providing quality products with good prices. British business ties are stronger in the private sector than in the government one. At the moment, and with the emerging changes in Saudi Arabia, we want to enter the e-commerce business. Britain is quite capable in the field and our aim is not to trade but to set up the framework for the trade."
Telecommunications is another possible field for British interests. UK businessmen hope that the Kingdom will soon amend its list of off-limits sectors announced on Sunday and open the market to more foreign investment.
