Accompanied by Hassan Miski, trade and investment commissioner at the Australian Embassy, Robertson called on Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman at his office earlier during the day. They discussed bilateral ties, including trade and investment.
Robertson also visited the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry and held talks with Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Kathiri and discussed ways of improving relations in the field of trade, investment and services between Queensland and the Kingdom.
According to a Saudi Press Agency (SPA) report, the trade volume between "the two countries in 2008 reached SR11.29 billion."
Robertson said, "Queensland is represented in Saudi Arabia by Commissioner Hassan Miski whose job is to facilitate partnerships and support Queensland businesses match with Saudi partners, promote Queensland as an ideal destination for investment, education and tourism and to help Saudi companies who wish to know more about building links with Queensland businesses."
He added that with Miski's assistance, Queensland companies have become regulars in Saudi Arabia's business landscape, and "We are looking to extend and widen the relationship further. In recent years, the capacity and capabilities of Queensland companies have become known in areas such as education and training, construction and infrastructure, food and agribusiness, mining equipment and technology and services."
Robertson added that as far as education was concerned, there were 200 Saudi students taking up various courses in Queensland, adding that their parents frequently visit them so that "they become tourists as well."
In construction, one Queensland company which has provided innovative solutions to Saudi Arabia's infrastructure requirements is Ansaldo STS which has been awarded the contract for the Kingdom's rail systems technology. It is a major partner in the driverless metro project at the Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University for Women in Riyadh.
The consortium that Ansaldo STS is leading was handpicked by general contractor, Saudi Binladin Group. When finished in two years' time, the project will deliver an 11-kilometer system linking facilities at the university.
"Since the driverless metro system project began in June 2009, it has progressed well and is now about 40 percent complete. It is a tribute to Ansaldo STS, its project managers, engineers and contractors that this project is on target," Robertson said.
He added that the work being done by Ansaldo in Saudi Arabia was part of the growing global reputation Queensland companies have earned as providers of world-class transport infrastructure and services, and other major public infrastructure projects.
Robertson also said that this was a prime example of an emerging export partnership opportunity for innovative Queensland businesses in Saudi Arabia. "I'd like to encourage you to work together even more to take advantage of the many opportunities on offer for both our regions," he said.
He said that there had been a considerable effort by Queensland and Saudi Arabia to advance the relationship, most notably through a number of government and business trade missions to Saudi Arabia.
In November 2008, then Trade Minister and now Speaker of Parliament John Mickel met with Commerce and Industry Minister Abdullah Zainal Alireza and Prince Salman to discuss the progress of Queensland-Saudi trade and investment relationship, including collaboration in areas like water management and technology and infrastructure that could be of use in Saudi Arabia.
The Queensland business team left Riyadh Sunday night.
