Prime Minister of Bavaria Dr. Günther Beckstein and the accompanying delegation met with Saudi businessmen today at Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry . He was received by Chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors Abdulrahman Ali Al-Jeraisy and Arab-German Business Council Chairman Abdulaziz Al-Khalafi. In a welcome speech, Al-Jeraisy noted that Germany is an important trading partner to the Kingdom, pointing out that the Kingdom has an economic boom currently in various aspects of development. Also, he expressed his desire for the increase in exports and imports between the two countries. He said, "We will follow up the outcomes of this visit, and we are ready to develop bilateral trade and economic relations". Al-Jeraisy added, "We have in Saudi Arabia many economic cities being established, and we want to take advantage of the German expertise and technology in the fields of mining, railroads, health, roads and others. Also, we want German companies to participate in the development process in the Kingdom". For his part, Prime Minister of Bavaria Dr. Günther Beckstein said, "Saudi Arabia is an important economic partner to his country. There are many companies from the state of Bavaria enjoying close relations with Saudi private sector. We encourage German companies to invest in the Kingdom". He noted that the economic relations are based on close political relations between the two countries. Dr. Beckstein added that the state of Bavaria has a good economy as well as a large number of workers and technicians and he welcomed Saudi investments in Bavaria. It is worth mentioning that the trade balance between the Kingdom and Germany is for Germany. In 2006, the volume of trade exchange between the Kingdom and Germany amounted to 25 billion and 952 million SR. In the same year, the Kingdom's exports to Germany in the same year amounted to SR 4 billion and 729 million while the Kingdom's imports from Germany amounted to SR 21 billion and 223 million .
