His Excellency the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi met in his office at the ministry on Thursday morning, the UK Ambassador to the Kingdom Mr. Simon Collis and Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Dieter Walter Haller.
The minister Al Qasabi reviewed with the British ambassador the relations between the two countries and the means to increase cooperation between their private sectors, in the field of high-tech industries, and the cooperation in building the abilities of the Saudi cadres to train them to work in the field of industrial production.
The two sides also discussed the program of cooperation between MCI and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in the field of small and medium enterprises, and the other issues related to the area of localization the British Industry in the Kingdom as well as cooperation of the British side in the field of knowledge-based industries and the future of energy, and the means to benefit from the British side in the development and entrepreneurship.
In the interview between the Saudi Trade Minister and the German ambassador, to the two officials discussed the means to promote trade cooperation between the two countries, especially in the non-oil exports and remove obstacles encountering them. They also discuss ways to promote cooperation between the private sectors in both countries and exchange of trade delegations visits along with establishing joint exhibitions in both countries.
The two sides also discussed the first Saudi-German Forum for Business Opportunities which will be held in the first half of the year 2017. This forum will enhance the business partnerships between both parties, and provide the Saudi companies with German technologies and expertise that will help in improving the quality of products and facilitate its entry into the German, European and global markets. The two officials also emphasized on strengthening cooperation in the field of science and technology since Germany plays a significant role in the Saudi economy development through partnerships and scientific cooperation. In addition to urging German companies to invest in the Kingdom and support the Saudi Vision 2030.
The trade exchange volume between Saudi Arabia and Britain was more than 52 billion riyals and reached more than 47 billion riyals with Germany in the year 2015.