Britain expects more British companies to enter into export business in Saudi Arabia from the current 25 percent as a result of the new economic development programs initiated by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, said Michael Cockle, Deputy Consul General and Head of Trade and Investment Section, British Consulate in Jeddah. In an exclusive interview with the Saudi Gazette on the sidelines of mass transportation exhibition held at the British Consulate in Jeddah Saturday, Cockle noted that “it is the first time to have joint mass transportation delegation in the Kingdom consisting of 32 companies representing the port, aviation and airport sectors due to the huge plans to develop the country by King Abdullah, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.” The delegation met early this week with the officials of Saudi Ports Authority, including Capt. Sahir Moosa Tahlawi, Director General of Jeddah Islamic Port. David Howell, head of port delegation told the Saudi Gazette that the delegation visited Jeddah Islamic Port to check some projects under construction since eight months. “British port companies provide the Saudi ports planning services, visibility studies, designing and supervision, as well as legal services for shipping industries,” he said. He added that the British port companies are assisting the Saudi ports in the preparation of hydraulic model to be used in the port's water channels. The high-level delegation, which is involved in all areas of construction, management and operation of ports, aims to learn about the latest port developments in Saudi Arabia. Over 200 businessmen showed their interest to have deals with different companies in Jeddah. The delegation will also visit Riyadh and Dammam this October to explore partnership opportunities in those areas. Currently, some of British aviation companies are working as consultants for airport construction in the Kingdom. The mission includes companies with expertise in the design of terminal buildings around the world, such as in Hong Kong, that are consistently voted as the world's best. The world's best specialist equipment suppliers both for the airfield and terminal operations with product in daily use in over 170 of the world's top airports are also in the mission. The products and design capabilities include some of the latest innovation in areas such as security that helps to deliver a safer, smarter and more satisfying experience to airport users. In addition the mission brings together UK expertise in the commercialization and development of airport infrastructure through project finance techniques. The Aviation delegation also met with the officials of GACA (General Authority of Civil Aviation) for future cooperation. “I think the need for the new terminals in Jeddah is increasing. The new Jeddah terminal needs to be built using sustainable material suited to the Saudi environment,” Chris Chalk, deputy chairman of British Aviation Group told the Saudi Gazette. He added that the new Jeddah airport will reflect the massive change in Saudi Arabia in a very short time. Tim Gray, head of Railway delegation, said “the Saudi holy site train project is a really huge project which reflects the high concern of Saudi government to have such outstanding projects in the those sites.” __
