The group was also briefed on planned development projects for the next 20 years, including the redevelopment of residential areas in the city such as Khozam and Ruwais. The group was part of a larger 42-strong political and economic delegation led by Baden-Württemberg’s minister of economic affairs, Ernst Pfister. The group arrived in the Kingdom at the beginning of the week.
While in Jeddah, members of the group also met with Prince Turki bin Nasser, head of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environement.
Earlier in Riyadh, they had met officials from the ministries of health, transport, water and electricity, communications and economic planning as well as from the Riyadh Development Authority and the city’s King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.
The group consisted of companies and organizations specializing in architecture, water technologies, healthcare and medical technology, urban development, infrastructure and airport construction as well as Baden-Württemberg state officials.
This was the third economic delegation from Baden-Württemberg to visit the Kingdom in the past 20 months. One came in March 2008, followed another in November the same year. The latter was also led by Pfister.
This time, he was also accompanied by an 18-person political team hoping to develop the state’s activities in Saudi Arabia as well as promote two-way investment. It included officials from Baden-Württemberg’s chamber of commerce and industry, its chamber of engineering and chamber of craft industries
Welcoming the team to Jeddah, Fakieh said the city wanted to strengthen cooperation with the German state for the benefit of both parties.
“The Jeddah city faces a number of challenges. Various government department and private agencies are working to address these challenges. Over the last 60 years, Jeddah has witnessed tremendous changes and growth. Its population grew by 100 times while its area by 1,000 times,” the mayor said.
Fakieh also spoke about efforts to develop the Makkah region.
“All projects in the city are carried out by the government, which is not charging any taxes on its people,” he told the visitors.
He said the municipality had established a company for the development of Jeddah, adding that it would ensure that whatever funds were required to finance the city’s development projects were found.
The presentation also focused on environment, social services, urban development, culture and heritage, infrastructure, transport facilities, housing and the city’s tourist potential.
Municipality officials declared themselves particularly satisfied with the meeting. They said that the German team had been impressed by the presentation of the various projects planned as well as the challenges being faced.
