Saudi Arabia has issued business visas in record time of 48 hours for participants of Saudi Build/Saudi Stone 2009 Exhibition that applied online to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fadi Kaddoura, vice-president, Sales and Marketing, Riyadh Exhibitions Company told a press conference in Riyadh, Tuesday. Saudi Build/Saudi Stone 2009 features Saudi Stone 2009, the 12th international stone and stone technology show and Saudi Building 2009, the 21st international construction technology and building materials exhibition. The show will open on Oct. 4-7 between 4.30 P.M. and 9.30 P.M. for men-only visitors. Families can visit on Wednesday morning between 10 A.M. and 1 P.M, the last day of the event. Kaddoura said the Foreign Ministry has issued 676 business visas to the representatives of international companies coming to participate in the three-day Saudi Build 2009 to be opened at Riyadh International Exhibition Center, King Abdullah Road on October 4. The Saudi government has removed all bottlenecks in the issuance of business visas, which were processed online in record time of 48 hours, he said. He said the Saudi Custom Department was also prompt in facilitating by giving customs clearance to the freight forwarders so that international exhibitors could arrange their pavilions well ahead of opening of the event. “The Saudi government's issuance of visas to international business visitors in record time and smooth customs clearances are very important signs that indicate the Kingdom's keenness to attract foreign investments and business opportunities,” said Kaddoura. Kaddoura said the Saudi Build/Saudi Stone 2009 will be the biggest ever event in Saudi Arabia with a record number of 625 international companies from 38 countries registered for participation from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, which is a 50 percent growth as compared with previous year. However, 50 percent of the participants are Saudi companies dealing in construction materials and stone technology. Diplomats from eight embassies - Austria, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Brazil, Turkey, Iran and Indonesia - presided over the press conference, France, Brazil and Iran are the three new entrants in the Saudi Build/Saudi Stone 2009. Diplomats from France, Brazil and Iran said they were encouraged to participate in the Saudi Build/Saudi Stone 2009 by the fact that Saudi Arabia was little affected by global financial crisis while other countries were still under its impact. China will have the largest participation with around 80 companies. The international exhibitors will showcase marble, granite, travertine and stone derivatives and machinery for cutting and polishing of stone products and technology. While the Saudi Build 2009 will attract some thousands of business leaders from Saudi Arabia and abroad, diplomats and high-ranking Saudi officials to discuss the future prospects of cooperation deals. Saudi Arabia construction sector has been posting an annual growth of seven percent and the Kingdom's total market has around $400 billion worth constructions projects in the pipeline.
