JEDDAH: A 21-member British trade delegation, representing companies from South East England, which ends its visit to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, said it was keen to develop business links with their local counterparts. The team had interactive sessions with the Saudi Council of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Riyadh earlier this week and participated in individual meetings at a reception hosted at the British Consulate General on Tuesday night.
“The mission has companies specializing in research and development, education and training, and specialists in hospital and hotel sectors, and interior design, and they are studying the prospects for partnerships and tie-ups,” Rosalind Marsh of UK Trade & Investment’s (UKTI) international trade adviser and leader of the mission, told Arab News during its visit to Arab News on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia, with its sound economy, holds bright prospects for UK’s businessmen and investors, said the team comprising UKTI’s two other members Leslie Plant and Roope Aaltonen. Saudi Arabia remains the UK’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and our second largest export market in the region after the UAE, Rosalind said, adding that the Kingdom is the UK’s 23rd largest export market overall, with exports worth 2.27 billion pounds in 2008. The UK is Saudi Arabia’s second largest foreign investor after the United States.
The delegation was impressed that Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing economy is creating opportunities for both exporters and investors. These are further boosted by moves to diversify the economy away from dependence on oil and gas, as well as by economic reform programs and market liberalization, and an emerging and growing private sector. The delegation had representatives covering most of the major sectors including vocational, technical and business education, and training. Oil, gas and petrochemicals, as well as power, water, financial services and environmental technology and services are among the other areas they represented. “Southeast England is one of the UK’s nine regions and a preferred Saudi destination for English language training,” Plant said. “An increasing number of young Saudi English learners have been visiting the region, which boasts a number of well-known colleges and universities for higher education,” he added.
Included in the mission were BHR Group, a fluid engineering research and consultancy company, Bioquell UK Ltd., which develops, and manufactures low temperature, residue-free bio-decontamination technology based on hydrogen peroxide vapor that is compatible with electronics; Centriq Ltd., an expert in health care IT infrastructure; Joerns Healthcare, a manufacturer of patient handling equipment, profile beds and support surfaces; and Pauley Landscapes, an international art, architecture and cultural consultancy.
Revenue Performance, an international hospitality consultancy with expertise in assessment and development of hotel revenue management practices and reservation systems; Specialist Washing Company Ltd., a designer and manufacturer of the Wudumate, described as the world’s major appliance for ritual washing in the mosque, home, and workplace; Sue Anderson Consultants, a UK boarding school, language and summer school specialist; and Shierley Browne Interiors, a specialist in showhome design for the construction industry; and Jaluch Ltd., a training and development company, were among the other companies represented.
