April 29, 2008
First Russian Exhibition in Saudi Arabia and the Russian-Saudi Business Forum
The First Russian Exhibition “Russia and Saudi Arabia: New Prospects for Trade and Industrial Cooperation” took place in Riyadh in the end of April 2008. “Alagat”, the largest exhibition company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, acted as the organizer of the Arab side, “Negus Expo” exhibition company became the organizer of the Russian side, backed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation and the Russian-Arab Business Council. The exhibition aimed at the promotion of the economic relations between the two countries and exploration of new ways of interaction.The list of exhibitors included representatives of large business (Russian Railways) and Russian-Arab Business Council member companies (OAO “StroyTransGaz”, JSFC “Sistema”, Vnesheconombank). The exhibition stands of these companies showcased contemporary technologies and specimens of products and services intended for export. The visitors of the exhibition showed interest for the current situation in the spheres of trade and industry in Russia, as well as the consumer goods. The exhibition stand of the apiaries of Northern Caucasus Republics that showcased different sorts of natural honey and honey products became an instant attraction of the event.
The Saudi entrepreneurs attending the exhibition discussed future opportunities for business trips to Russia and searching for business partners in different spheres of economic activity. The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Saudi Arabia provided a valuable assistance to the organization and holding of the exhibition. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary H.E. Victor Kudryavtsev attended the opening ceremony.
Within the exhibition schedule the Russian-Saudi Business Forum was held in the headquarters of the Council of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Saudi Arabia. The Forum’s agenda included a plenary session that was attended by more than 200 Russian and Saudi businessmen, officials, representatives of ministries and institutions, as well as round-table discussions on the following topics: Fuel and Energy; Banking, Investment and Construction; Tourism, Exhibitions and Young Businessmen Activity. The round-table discussions included presentations of participating companies, negotiations on the opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
During the plenary session the representatives of the Russian Arab Business Council made a presentation of the First Arab Exhibition in Moscow “Arabia-EXPO”.
The Forum attracted a lot of attention in business circles of both countries. Some bilateral business meetings were held. The Forum was attended by a number of leading Saudi and international TV channels, newspapers and other media. Coverages and interviews were published in the central Arab-language newspaper “Riyadh” and broadcasted by the Channel Two of the Saudi Television.
During the Forum it was decided that the next meeting of the Russian and Saudi businessmen would take place during the Jubilee Session of the Russian-Arab Business Council within the “Arabia-EXPO” exhibition in October 2008.
