13/12/2010
Saudi delegation to focus on power sector in US
A40-member Saudi business delegation left for the United States Sunday to meet with American companies in the power sector, the US Embassy in Riyadh announced on Sunday.
The mission, sponsored by the embassy’s US commercial service, aims to build stronger commercial ties between the two countries.
In a statement issued to mark the occasion, US Ambassador James B. Smith, said: "This is the 14th trade mission to the US since my arrival in Saudi Arabia. One of my top priorities as ambassador is to bolster trade and investment relations."
The envoy said that the US has a proven track record in its partnerships with Saudi companies and seeks to expand its trade relations with Saudi Arabia to include diverse sectors in the economy.
The Saudi team is led by Amer M. Kayani, minister counselor for commercial affairs of the US Embassy.
As part of this visit, Saudi delegates will attend the power industry’s leading trade show, Power-Gen in Orlando.
The trade show and conference will feature insightful discussions and networking exchanges with the power sector’s leading companies.
Saudi delegates will have the opportunity to network and exchange views with American experts about the technologies and trends on the forefront of the power industry’s future, including environmental issues, fossil technologies, gas turbine technologies, renewable energy, plant performance, and others.
The US Department of Commerce staff will organize meetings between Saudi participants and their American counterparts, as well as networking sessions with US companies during the four-day visit.
Kayani said the United States is the largest single trade partner to the Kingdom, enjoying a bilateral trade of $33 billion.
He said that his mission has lined up 12 inbound and outbound trade missions to and from the United States during next year. Some 200 Saudi companies took part recently at a trade show in Chicago, where more than 900 US companies showcased their products and services.
