In October, the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council (USSABC) will sign an Official Strategic Partners Agreement with Mr. Faisal Alfadl, Secretary General of Saudi Green Building Forum (SGB FORUM), an initiative under the appointment of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The SGB FORUM's Conference, scheduled for October 13-15, 2012 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, is organized under the official patronage of H.R.H. Prince Dr. Mansour Bin Meta’ab Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
MEED, the organizer of the conference, and the USSABC hope that The SGB FORUM will further boost business collaboration between U.S. and Saudi companies related to energy, water, and building materials, contributing to increased trade and investment in these areas. The SGB FORUM's Conference 2012 "3Ps of sustainability" will also unveil numerous business opportunities for U.S. and Saudi firms by leveraging a two-way flow of know-how related to green building technologies.
Further, since 2010, the SGB FORUM aims to promote an all-inclusive set of standards and systems for green buildings and increase cultural awareness of green building and sustainability initiatives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Edward Burton, President and Managing Director of the USSABC, and a speaker at the SGB FORUM's Conference in 2012 notes: “The USSABC is honored to be a Strategic Partner of the SGB FORUM this year and to have strong partners in this important initiative. We will continue to act as a key player in enhancing the U.S.-Saudi business relationships and look forward to participating in the SGB FORUM. I am certain this year’s conference will have a significant contribution towards transforming the Saudi green building industry into a hub for numerous international business ventures.”
Mr. Faisal Alfadl, Secretary General of the SGB FORUM, maintains: “This protocol is very important for the socio-economic of both countries. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a vast market and is open to opportunities to partner with U.S. companies. In fact, Saudi Arabia boasts of having one of the fastest emerging construction markets in the Middle East region, promising a plethora of business prospects for the local private sector and global companies. The Saudi Government, with multibillion dollar expenditures, has plans to focus on sustainability and green building developments in the region as it recognizes the significance and reliance on non-renewable energy resources. This is a clear indication of the potential of the Saudi market and an invitation to companies offering innovative green design concepts, energy efficient technologies, competent management systems, and ground-breaking architectural and engineering consultancy to take advantage of this unparallel market opportunity in the Middle East region.” Mr. Alfadl, who recently visited the USSABC’s office in the U.S., further says, “I am very pleased and overwhelmed by the way the USSABC operates. We had a long, meticulous, and fruitful discussion on the way forward. We are geared up to sign the protocol and have phenomenal entrepreneurial plans.”
About the USSABC
The U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council (USSABC) was established in December 1993 to improve the mutual knowledge and understanding between the private sectors of the U.S and Saudi Arabia and to promote and facilitate increased trade and investment between the two countries. The USSABC has built a membership base of approximately 400 leading companies in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia and serves as the central source of information and assistance for companies that want to pursue specific business activities in Saudi Arabia. The USSABC organizes conferences and seminars in both countries to promote dialogue between the two private sectors, as well as trade and investment missions that provide networking opportunities for U.S. and Saudi companies. For more information on the Business Council, please visit www.us-sabc.org.
Ana Carmen Neboisa
Senior Business Development Analyst
Coordinator, State Programs Initiative-Oregon
U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council
8081 Wolftrap Road, Suite 300
Vienna, VA 22182
Tel.: 703-962-9300
Fax: 703-204-0332
Email: anacarmen@us-sabc.org
USSABC members have the unique opportunity to attend the SGB FORUM at a reduced registration rate (25 percent discount on the full conference rate). To learn more about the SGB Forum please visit http://www.meedconferences.com/saudigreenbuildings/home.asp