15/12/2010
French delegation visits Asharqia Chamber specializing in infrastructure development, engineering and energy
Al Wabel urged the French companies for the promising investment's atmosphere in Saudi Arabia
The Assembly of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry (AFCI) is looking for cooperation between French and Saudi small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), said Ms. StephanieTison, an official of AFCI in a meeting with a group of local businessmen at Asharqia Chamber today. AFCIrepresents nearly two million Frenchcompanies.
Mr. Abdulrahman Al Wabel, Acting Secretary General of Asharqia Chamber, welcomed the French delegation. Mr. Abdullah A. Almajdouie and Mr. Faisal S. Al Quraishi, both are Board Members of the Chamber, were present on the occasion. Also present was former Chamber's Board Member, Mr. Khalid Abdulrahman Al Abdulkarim.
Ms. Tison, who was leading a 12-member delegation representing ten French chambers of commerce andindustry, noted that French SMEs have not enough presence in the Kingdom although there are some big French giant companies are active here. She offered technology, training and business planning for the SMEs development in Saudi Arabia.
"We are here to gather market information and find ways to help establish business contacts between companies of the two countries," said Ms. Tison adding that there is huge potentials for trade and businesses in the Kingdom. The delegation was representing companies engaged in infrastructure development, mechanical engineering and energy sectors.
Mr. Al Wabel sought cooperation between Asharqia Chamber and French chambers of commerce to further improve trade relations between France and Saudi Arabia saying that both countries currently enjoy strong relationships on the back of recent visits of French President Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy to the Kingdom on several occasions. "There are also successful visits of a number of French trade missions to the Kingdom during the past few years," he added.
He highly appreciated French Embassy in Riyadh for its opening of a Honorary Consulate in the Eastern Province giving a high importance to the Eastern Province which is hub of industrial activities. Many world-class industries including $12.8 billion Saudi Aramco-Total Refinery are coming up in the region, noted Al Wabel.
