A meeting of the Saudi-British Joint Business Council was held yesterday in Riyadh to explore joint investment opportunities and trade cooperation between the two countries.
British Ambassador Sir John Jenkins and representatives from 12 leading British companies joined Khalid Al-Saif, Saudi council member, and Baroness Symons, British council member, and the talks focused on trade cooperation and partnership in transport, railways, airports, green buildings and sustainable health and education.
Omar Ahmed Bahlaiwa, secretary-general of the Council of Saudi Chambers, said the council plays a key role in strengthening trade and investment relationships between the two countries by identifying and cultivating new partnership opportunities.
Bahlaiwa said both sides are interested in developing business projects in the areas of training and development, human resource development and technology. “The Kingdom has a vast market which could be of interest to business leaders looking for the right trade opportunity,” he added.
Ambassador Jenkins said British Prime Minister David Cameron met Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in Jeddah on Tuesday after a two-day visit to the UAE. He said it is important to explore new areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Baroness Symons said the meeting between King Abdullah and the British prime minister clearly demonstrates an interest in strengthening public and private sector partnerships between Britain and Saudi Arabia. Baroness Symons, who met with Minister of Economy and Planning Muhammad Al-Jasser and President of the Council of Saudi Chambers Abdullah Al-Mobti, said discussions focused on bilateral cooperation in health, education and training, which would generate job opportunities for young Saudi men and women.
Al-Saif said the two countries have huge potential for trade and partnership development, which would eventually lead to more British companies participating in mega projects in the Kingdom.
Saudi-UK meet explores business opportunities
