Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny will reach Riyadh Saturday night for talks with Saudi counterparts with the aim of bolstering bilateral ties.

Niall Holohan, Irish ambassador in Riyadh, told Arab News on Friday, “the prime minister will leave Dublin for the Saudi capital on Saturday and will stay until Monday. He will meet Crown Prince Salman for talks to boost bilateral ties.”

Trade and commerce will top the agenda during the three-day visit, he said.

“The PM will be accompanied by representatives of 40 to 50 companies and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton,” the ambassador said.

The Irish ambassador further said that a joint business council meeting would be held on Monday at the Council of Saudi Chambers to bolster trade and commerce between the two countries.

The visit also aims at promoting Irish goods and services in the Kingdom and tourism in Ireland in order for the country to become a popular tourist destination, he stated.

This trade mission is also aimed at supporting Irish companies to expand their market presence in the region, he added.

The Irish ambassador emphasized the development of trade exchange between the Kingdom and his country and underlined that the two countries have recorded an increase in the volume of bilateral exports, as well as imports.

He further observed that bilateral relations between the Kingdom and Ireland have witnessed a big leap on the political, economic and educational fronts due to extensive mutual visits from officials to both countries.

Holohan, however, said, “We want more Saudi students and tourists to come to Ireland, the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on earth, which comprises relatively low-lying mountains surrounding a central plain with several navigable rivers extending inland.”

The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild but changeable oceanic climate, which does not experience extremes in temperature and attracts tourists from across the world.

“There are currently 2,000 Saudi students studying in Ireland under the King Abdullah Scholarship Program and we will be happy to see this number increase over the next few years.”

The trade mission will launch an all-Ireland event, including representatives from companies from across the country reflecting the increasing cooperation among companies and business organizations across the island.

The high-level visit of the Irish PM is evidence of the potential for bolstering bilateral trade.

Enterprise Ireland is working in the region to strengthen their business links in the Gulf countries to develop strategic partnerships and win new business contracts.