As part of vibrant Saudi-British trade relations, the “Best of Britain” exhibition and workshops will be taking place at Nayyara Banqueting and Convention Center in Riyadh from March 10-12.

“Saudi Arabia is an important trading partner for the UK and there continues to be a strong demand for quality UK goods and services,” said Chris Innes-Hopkins, director of UK Trade & Investment. These touch a wide range of sectors, including health care, infrastructure, education, financial services.

The Best of Britain-Saudi Arabia 2013 exhibition is a showcase of the best of British brands in the creative industries sector in which the UK has a worldwide reputation. In 2009, the fashion, design, arts and music industry in the UK exported over £ 8 billion (SR 45.5 billion) worth of services globally, accounting for more than 10 percent of the UK’s exports.

“The vibrant retail market in the Kingdom provides a great opportunity for further Saudi/UK cooperation in the creative services sector. Among product sectors represented at the exhibition are luxury automobiles, leading fashion brands, beauty products, leather goods and training providers. The exhibition and the workshops being organized by the British Council will also help to bring young Saudi and British designers together,” said Innes-Hopkins.

Nayyara Banqueting and Convention Center and Dunia InterMedia are organizing the event with support from UK Trade and Investment, the British Council, the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce and the Saudi-British Council.

The three-day event aims to promote the best British brands, designs and craftsmanship across all sectors to the Saudi market, and will provide an opportunity for interested parties and investors to exchange ideas with potential business partners, and form new contacts.

Best of Britain will be a showcase of the best British creativity and expertise and will welcome business and trade individuals to engage with British companies and their representatives in the kingdom.

With sponsorship support from Saudi Binladin Group, Mohamed Yousef Al-Naghi Motors, Harvey Nichols and SABB, the Best of Britain exhibition will build on the reputation of British products and services in the Kingdom and the strong relationship that has been formed between the two countries.

The British Council will coordinate workshops with several visiting lecturers from UK universities such as the London College of Fashion and Brighton University to engage with Saudi students on topics such as branding, design and textiles.

The entrance fee proceeds of the Best of Britain exhibition and workshops will go to Zahra Breast Cancer Association.

The VIP opening of the exhibition takes place on March 10. The exhibition will then be open to trade and the public from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. On March 11 and 12 it will be open from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m.