Saudi-European businessmen explore opportunities

The British consulate in Jeddah brought together European and Saudi businessmen on one to one level at 2nd Saudi-European business networking event and reception at the consulate premises on Monday.
The event took place with the support of the European Union delegation to Saudi Arabia and was organized by Jeddah-based European business groups and the consulates of Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Switzerland and UK.
European Union Ambassador Adam Kulach said that the European business groups had been traditionally coming to Jeddah and interacting with their local counterparts.
“It is all the more interesting if members of the different groups can meet and exchange ideas at a joint event like this one, across national borders under the European flag. This year we see a bigger number of participants even as some countries don’t have consulate generals in Jeddah but have business relations with the Kingdom,” he said.
Michael Cockel, head of UK trade and Investment in Jeddah, told Arab news that this year the Riyadh-based embassies from Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden also took part in the event to enhance the business relationship with Saudis.
He said Saudi Arabia was the European Union’s 11th largest trading partner.
European businessmen are respected here because of their professionalism, experience, expertise, dynamism and their innovative approaches, he added.
“We hold this event in collaboration with our European colleagues to further strengthen these ties and to establish new business connections that will benefit the growth of trade between us,” he added.
Swiss Consul General Hans Stalder said: “Our presence in such events Jeddah may be our last because the consulate is going to close. Hope the participation of Switzerland will come from Riyadh or Dubai in the future.”