JUBAIL: US Democrat Congressman for Minnesota State, Keith Ellison, accompanied by a trade delegation, visited Jubail Industrial City where he was briefed on investment opportunities and services provided to investors by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu. Dr. Musslih Al-Otaibi, Executive Chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, welcomed Ellison and informed him about Jubail Industrial City. He said the city has the infrastructure to handle large investments in petrochemicals and manufacturing. Al-Otaibi also briefed Ellison on the history of Jubail Industrial City, screened a documentary and conducted a tour of the exhibition pavilions at the visitors' center. Ellison and his accompanying delegation visited the Industrial Area and toured the support, basic and secondary industries areas and Jubail 2. At the conclusion of his visit, Ellison said he was impressed with the big factories, the mega infrastructure and suitable investment environment. He said the visit was meant to inform American companies about investment opportunities and the attention given to the industrial sector by the Saudi government. Ambassador in Qassim James Smith, the American Ambassador to the Kingdom, said Saudis applying for study visas last year were able to do so easily. He made the remark while visiting Qassim University. He emphasized that the US values its relations with Riyadh, which are based on mutual respect and interests. He praised the university's teaching staff for their dedication and said this was a reflection of the successful development of education in the country. Smith said the US supports the academic partnerships between Saudi and American universities. He said he has assigned a team at the embassy to facilitate contact with Saudi students who want to enroll at American universities. He also lauded the development of Qassim in all walks of life and said the region is rich in culture. “I feel that I am at home because I was brought up on a farm in America. There are so many things in common in terms of atmosphere and natural views.” The ambassador said the objective of his visit to the region is to boost trade activities and cultural exchange. – Okaz/Saudi Gazette (Salman Al-Dubah also contributed to the report from Buraidah) __
