In the Spain-Saudi Arabia meeting, held at the Chamber of Commerce, was attended by Khlid Al Ahmadi, Deputy Assistant Minister for Sector Development of the Saudi Ministry of Economy; the CEOE International president, Marta Blanco; the general director of the Chamber of Commerce of Spain, Inmaculada Riera; the general director of Cooperation and Coordination of ICEX, Alberto Cerdán, and the presidents of the Spanish and Saudi sections of the Business Cooperation Committee, José Alberto Nebrera, and Salman Al Sudairy.
The president of CEOE International, Marta Blanco, stressed that "in line with Vision 2030, we are also aware that Saudi Arabia is working on the development of large-scale construction projects called giga-projects, especially those related to the construction industry. tourism and, in the short term, the budget for 2019 includes the construction of roads, ports, railways and airports and energy investments ". Through these major projects, Spanish companies that are world leaders will have the opportunity to consolidate their presence in a country that is called upon to play a key role in the development of the Region, "Blanco said.
The director of the Chamber of Spain has shown her satisfaction with the steps being taken by the Saudi government to advance in a more diversified and competitive economy, as well as to promote the role of small and medium-sized companies that due to their flexibility and The ability to innovate and create jobs will contribute to GDP growth in the coming years.
For his part, the general director of Cooperation and Coordination of the ICEX has highlighted the large delegation that has traveled to Spain to establish relationships with Spanish companies. He also referred to the need for Spain to increase exports to that country and has mentioned the sectors of infrastructure, energy, water transport and tourism as the activities that more business opportunities Saudi Arabia offers to Spanish companies.
Finally, the Assistant Deputy Minister for Sectorial Development of the Saudi Ministry of Economy has stated before the more than 50 Spanish companies that have participated in the meeting, that Spain has become a strategic country for specific projects of the private sector, especially in the sector of the infrastructures.
Economic relations between Saudi Arabia and Spain have been strengthened in recent times, although they remain far from the potential of both countries. The awarding of the High Speed project, participated by a Spanish consortium of companies, has constituted a transcendental step in relations and has opened new opportunities for Spanish companies. Although Spanish investment is in low volumes, its growth potential is very high.
Numerous Spanish and Saudi delegation
A total of fifty-six Spanish companies participated in the Spain-Saudi Arabia business meeting. Cab highlighting large companies such as Repsol, Técnicas Reunidas, Sacyr, Sener Engineering, Typsa, Hm Hospitals, Indra, Eptisa CAF, Ayesa Group, Acciona, Abengoa, Banco Sabadell or Bankia, among others.
Likewise, numerous SMEs have participated, which have had the opportunity to carry out bilateral interviews with their Saudi counterparts. A total of twenty-five companies made up the Saudi business delegation that has moved to Spain.