JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Sunday urged Saudi and Qatari businessmen to strengthen their trade relations with other Muslim countries to expand inter-trade between members of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Conference.
King Abdullah made the comments speaking to the chairmen and members of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Qatari Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also urged businessmen to work toward improving the condition of the poor.
King Abdullah wished the Qatari business delegation every success during their talks with their Saudi counterparts to increase bilateral trade and establish joint ventures.
“I request you to have sympathy on the poor in any country and in any place. I also advise you to visit Islamic countries in order to make gains. Even if you make a little loss it will be compensated in the hereafter,” the king told the gathering.
Earlier, Saleh Kamel, chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers, thanked King Abdullah for supporting the business community. He said Saudi businessmen and women would work along with the public sector in developing the Kingdom.
He underscored the remarkable progress achieved by the Kingdom under the leadership of King Abdullah. He noted the king’s efforts to establish justice, promote education and alleviate the suffering of the poor. “The personification of justice and compassion in a single person looks marvelous,” he said.
Kamel referred to the commendable decision taken by the king following the Nov. 25 floods in which he offered compensation to the victims and calling for an investigation to punish negligent officials.
He praised the king for taking the initiative to establish King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal, an international research university that gives admission to outstanding students from countries around the world.
The veteran Saudi businessman also praised King Abdullah for honoring Saudi scientist Dr. Khawla Al-Kuraya by conferring on her the King Abdul Aziz Medal of the First Order. “This also reflects your confidence in Saudi women,” he added.
Kamel also referred to the general budget for 2010, the largest in the Kingdom’s history, projecting expenditures at SR540 billion and revenues at SR470 billion. He added that the budget is designed to challenge global economic depression and spur growth.
He commended the king for reviving the Islamic endowment system for the development of the Two Holy Mosques, promoting education and financing the poverty fund. He also thanked the king for donating money required for building the council’s headquarters in Riyadh.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani, chairman of the Qatari chamber, conveyed the greetings of Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani to the king and the Saudi people.
He said Qatar wants to establish strong economic relations with Saudi Arabia. “We have to establish strong and strategic joint ventures, taking our bilateral relations to new heights,” he said.
He said Saudi companies were involved in implementing 30 percent of projects in Qatar. Qataris have invested SR3 billion in joint industrial projects in the Kingdom.
Sheikh Khalifa said Qatari banks are planning to enter the Kingdom. Two-way trade between Saudi Arabia and Qatar is estimated at $7 billion.
The reception was attended by Commerce and Industry Minister Abdullah Zainal Alireza.
