Saudi trade delegation visits UK

A major trade delegation from Saudi Arabia is to visit the UK to investigate investment partnerships.

The group, who are all part of the Saudi British Joint Business Council, will visit Britain as part of a trade delegation organised by UK Trade & Investment, after Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently headed a four-day visit by British firms to the Gulf.

The Saudis are very receptive to the UK's approach to business. They appreciate our skills and stability and see us as good business partners

Peter Mandelson

Business Secretary

Looking to establish partnerships with UK enterprises across a range of sectors, the Saudi executives are from industries such as petrochemicals, IT, oil and gas, construction, environmental technology and power.

Peter Mandelson, the Business Secretary, said the visit highlights the UK and Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening their trade relationship and claimed the Middle Eastern country is an "extremely important and valued investment partner" of Britain.

He added: "The Saudis are very receptive to the UK's approach to business. They appreciate our skills and stability and see us as good business partners.

Over 175 firms from the north-west and the Midlands are expected to meet the delegation when it visits Manchester and Birmingham, ahead of its climax at the GCC-Europe Expo.

The event, which is being held at the Olympia in London on November 12th, aims to open up trade and investment opportunities between companies in the UK and those in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.