Pakistani business and economic relations, the Saudi-Pakistani trade mission has started in Jeddah last Sunday, where 30 Pakistani and 86 Saudi food and building material companies met to discuss and explore opportunities to export Saudi products to Pakistan. This trade mission is organized by Saudi Export Development Authority. The Pakistani delegation had a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Eng. Abdul Aziz Al-Abdulkarim and the Secretary General of Saudi Export Development Authority Eng. Saleh Al-Solami. The two sides discussed aspects of joint cooperation and ways to enhance trade and economic relations between the two countries. Eng. Saleh Al-Solami, in welcoming the delegation, said "I am pleased to welcome you to this special meeting, which reflects the strategy of enhancing economic and trade relations and investment cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It also highlights the strong relationship between the two countries, as the leaders in both countries are keen to consolidate this relationship for the benefits of both countries and people." "In addition to our relations with our brothers in Pakistan, this participation of Saudi Arabia represented by "Saudi Exports", opens many export opportunities. Which emphasizes the strength of trade relations and keenness to increase economic cooperation between the two countries. I would like to thank you for attending and hope that our efforts will succeed in achieving the aspirations of both countries" said Al-Solami. Then the Deputy Chairman of Jeddah Chamber Eng. Ziad Al Bassam welcomed the Pakistani delegation and praised the trade mission which will lead to various investment opportunities. The Pakistani Commercial Consul in Saudi Arabia Shahzad Khan delivered a speech in which he referred to the depth of the Saudi-Pakistani relations and the contribution of this trade mission in enhancing trade exchange, activating partnership and encouraging mutual investments between the two countries. Khan also praised the hospitality that the Pakistani delegation received and thanked "Saudi Exports" for their efforts and organizations for the cooperation between both countries. Business matching meetings between Saudi exporters and potential buyers from Pakistan began after that. The trade mission is an extension of the historical economic and trade relations between the two countries. The total non-oil exports from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan during the past five years has reached SR17 billion, with over SR191 million for food exports and more than SR365 million for building materials during the same period. The trade mission reinforced "Saudi Exports" efforts to support local exporters and promote their products and services to expand in international markets, reflecting the Saudi 2030 vision and its objectives to increase non-oil exports from 16% to 50% of total GDP and diversify sources of income for the national economy. "Saudi Exports" invests all its capabilities to improve the efficiency of the export environment, overcome the obstacles that exporters may face, raise awareness about export practices, and develop human competencies in the field of export. It is also working to raise the export readiness of the targeted enterprises through an assessment of the export readiness and consultation services to improve the export capacity of the target enterprises. "Saudi Exports" is also working to facilitate the creation of suitable opportunities and export markets suitable for enterprises by preparing the manuals of market access and market studies on demand. "Saudi Exports" contributes to the emergence of Saudi products to the target groups through participation in international exhibitions. "It also provide a service to facilitate linking exporters with buyers and potential partners through trade missions and bilateral meetings on the sidelines of international exhibitions. The work of the "Saudi Exports" reflects the Kingdom's vision 2030 and meets the aspirations of the wise leadership in order to diversify sources of income for the national economy. — SG
