CAIRO: Khaled Al-Anani, Egypt’s minister of tourism and antiquities, discussed with his Saudi counterpart Ahmed Al-Khatib ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the tourism field.

The discussions were held in the presence of Osama Nugali, Saudi ambassador to Egypt.

Al-Anani said Egypt is an important destination for Saudis for many reasons, most importantly geographic proximity, a common language and similar cultures, customs and traditions.

He tweeted: “I was pleased to receive my dear friend, His Excellency Minister Ahmed Al-Khatib … in his second country, Egypt.”

Al-Khatib responded by tweeting: “All thanks to His Excellency Dr. Khaled Al-Anani … for the good hospitality in #Cairo. We discussed the impact of COVID-19 on tourism in our countries and the world, and we agreed to cooperate to build a stronger, more sustainable and environmentally friendly sector.”

Nugali said: “One of the happiest moments is to witness the steady growth of relations between two brotherly countries and their transition to broader horizons.”

Al-Anani praised relations between the two countries in all fields, as well as Saudi efforts regarding development projects, especially in relation to tourism infrastructure, according to a statement by Egypt’s Tourism Ministry.

He also reviewed Egypt’s tourism infrastructure and development projects carried out by the state.

In turn, Al-Khatib reviewed Saudi development projects, especially in the field of tourism. He praised relations between the two countries, as well as concerted efforts to maximize the benefit from the World Trade Organization regional office, which was inaugurated on the sidelines of the Revitalizing Tourism Summit in May in Riyadh.

The ministers discussed coordination to benefit from Egyptian and Saudi experience in the tourism field, and training workers in the sector in the two countries.