JEDDAH, 4 June — Austria’s new consul has chalked out a multi-directional plan to boost bilateral relations and hopes to include finished industrial products in the list of imports from the Kingdom.
"I’ll be directing my energies toward further strengthening the bonds, because the Kingdom is a very important partner for our country," Dr. Hartwig Seuchter, a lawyer by profession, told Arab News yesterday.
Seuchter arrived here early yesterday morning to succeed Walter Friedl who after completing a seven-year term is proceeding to Bucharest, Romania, to represent his country there.
Friedl said his country’s trade with the Kingdom had risen by 40 percent since he assumed charge.
"Our exports to the Kingdom stood at $500 million in 2001; the trade balance marginally favors us," Friedl said, adding: "I enjoyed my stay. I’ll be missing water sports in the Red Sea which have been my pastime."
This is the sixth overseas posting for Seuchter who has served his country’s missions in Kenya, Mexico, Indonesia, Argentina and Malaysia in the past 32 years.
"Austria’s exports have considerably increased especially in the first two months of 2002. There has been big expansion of our export of plastics manufacturing machinery, transport equipment and newsprint as well as fizzy drinks like Red bull and Power Horse to the Kingdom," Seuchter said
