JEDDAH: Officials of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and New Zealand's Ambassador to the Kingdom Trevor Matheson discussed ways to strengthen cooperation, particularly in the field of education and trade between the two countries.
A catalog exhibition is also being planned at the main hall of the JCCI to highlight the facilities offered by universities in New Zealand.
Vice Chairman of JCCI Mazen Battarjee, Secretary-General Mustafa Sabri and Educational Attaché at the New Zealand Embassy Tony Davis were present at the discussions.
Battarjee said a considerable number of Saudi students of the English language have been drawn to the country because of the privileges offered by the New Zealand government to students from the Kingdom.
Saudi students in New Zealand do not face many of the difficulties their peers face in other countries, he said. “Many of our students prefer to learn English in New Zealand thanks to factors such as its relative closeness to Muslim countries, comparatively lower cost of living and tuition and the liberal policies of the government there,” he added.
Speaking on the special privileges offered by New Zealand authorities, Matheson said Saudis do not require visas to study in his country. He said the procedures for the extension of their stay in the country were simple.
Saudis are the largest single student community in New Zealand. They are studying in 19 out of the 35 English language institutes in the country, the ambassador said.
“More than 500 Saudis are studying in Auckland University alone. The authorities make arrangements for receiving Saudi students at the airport, providing them with suitable accommodation, opening bank accounts and introducing them to various university utilities,” he said.
The government also encourages Saudi students to do courses in medicine and related disciplines, he added.
The chamber officials decided to invite a delegation from New Zealand to discuss ways to improving bilateral trade.
