The U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council (USSABC) hosted a breakfast roundtable discussion for a visiting Saudi delegation in Washington D.C. on December 17, 2009. The delegation included Abdullah Al-Hamoudi, Deputy Minister for International Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Saudi Arabia; Taha A. AlShareef, Assistant Director General Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Saudi Arabia; and Omar A. Bahlaiwa, Secretary General, Saudi Committee for the Development of International Trade, Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The event was hosted by Fluor Corporation, a member of the Board of Directors of the USSABC.

The Saudi delegation discussed a major conference being planned in the U.S. in April 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The forum, which is being organized by the Business Council and the Committee for International Trade, in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the U.S. Department of Commerce, is designed to introduce U.S. companies to the many opportunities for business in the Kingdom and strengthen the historical and lasting synergy between the American and Saudi business communities. More details about the Forum will be forthcoming.

Representatives from member companies from various industries who attended the roundtable discussion were also given the opportunity to discuss their experiences in doing business in the Saudi market and raise issues affecting the bilateral commercial relationship. Others, in particular those who were new members to the Business Council, were eager to learn about the opportunities currently available in the Kingdom and the best way to penetrate the market and overcome rival competition. Other topics included an update on the progress of the Six Economic Cities Project, the importance placed on education and vocational training centers, and the establishment of parks and technology incubators as part of the Saudi Government’s efforts to assist innovation growth in Saudi Arabia.