“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who has a clear vision, has embarked on a constructive program and our country would be interested in participating in some of its projects such as energy security, desalination of water and climate change technology,” William Cohen told reporters on Monday.
The announcement followed discussions between a 10-member US delegation led by Cohen, which comprised representatives of five major US companies and members of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in Riyadh on Monday. SCCI Vice President Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy led the Saudi side. US Ambassador James B. Smith, SCCI Secretary-General Fahd Al-Sultan and Yahoo’s vice president for global public policy David Hantman also took part in the talks. Cohen said that the initial task of his delegation was to focus on discussing joint ventures with Saudi businessmen in financial and information technology services.
“This could be expanded to new areas within the framework of the new project envisaged by King Abdullah following his royal decree,” he added. He described the proposed energy city as an exciting project, adding that the new technology would not only benefit Saudi Arabia but other countries in the region as well.
Cohen, who is also chairman of the Washington-based Cohen Group, said the discussions would be followed up at a subsequent meeting in Chicago, which is expected to be attended by a high-powered Saudi trade delegation.
Such a meeting will help the two parties secure agreements in working together in investment projects in the two countries, he noted.
Al-Jeraisy said the two countries have enjoyed excellent trade relations for more than 80 years. “Such exchange of trade delegations between the two countries will help concerned parties identify new areas of cooperation that would be of mutual interest,” he said.
Al-Jeraisy added that the proposed Saudi delegation to Chicago would also comprise a number of ministers. During the businessmen’s talks, Ambassador Smith said that his mission in Riyadh aims to facilitate the quick issuance of visas to Saudi businessmen wanting to visit the United States.
