JEDDAH, 25 September — A visiting Chinese business mission studied investment and joint venture prospects during its tour of the Kingdom that ends today.
“We’re hopeful of further expanding our bilateral trade whose balance favors the Kingdom,” Cao Xumin, mission leader and president of the China Chamber of Commerce for Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal Byproducts (CFNA), told a meeting at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry yesterday.
“In both Riyadh and Jeddah we discussed business matters and had positive interaction with the local business community. Investment and joint venture prospects prominently figured in the discussions,” said Xumin.
“The response has been so overwhelming that local businessmen started contacting us soon after our arrival here on Monday evening,” he added.
Asked whether fresh restrictions had been imposed on the issuance of visas for Saudis in the wake of the Sept. 11 situation, Xumin said: “There are no restrictions. We continue with the existing practice of issuing visas for Saudis within three days. Visas on emergency basis are granted the same day. The Kingdom is a very important partner for us and we would like to see that the visa procedure is simple and quick,” said Xumin who is leading a 15-member mission.
CFNA’s objective is to promote development of its over 3,600 member companies and globalization of China’s agro trade, he added.
Xumin said China was hopeful that the restrictions imposed on import of its beef and other animal products would be removed.
“This is a matter you’ll have to discuss with the Ministry of Trade,” Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry Vice Chairman Ghassan Ahmad Al-Sulaiman said.
