Riyadh – Fourteen European states will present trade opportunities to Saudi investors in the Saudi capital on Wednesday, in a move seen as a chance to evaluate the size of productive cooperation between the Kingdom and Europe within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program (NTP).

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper on this matter, economic experts underlined the need to expand cooperation in the field of small industries.

Member at the Council of Saudi Chambers Abdullah al-Moleihi said it was high time to better invest in the Saudi-European relations, in a way that promotes the localization of advanced industries and increase exports to world markets, taking into consideration quality and high competitiveness.

In the same context, Economic Expert Abdul-Rahman al-Ata told Asharq Al-Awsat that opportunities of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Europe were now “better than ever” – as many countries have overcome challenges that resulted from the world financial crisis.

He highlighted the importance of activating all agreements, which were previously signed on the economic, commercial and investment levels, to reflect positively on the relations between the Kingdom and European countries.

Meanwhile, the head of the Shorouq Center for Economic Studies, Dr. Abdul Rahman Baashan, stressed the need to promote effective partnerships in the field of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with the aim to achieve Saudi Arabia’s plans pertaining to the diversification of economies and resources, as well as the localization of industries and the creation of new job opportunities for the youth from both Europe and the Kingdom.

The Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry is organizing on Tuesday evening a conference at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, with the participation of 14 European states, including: Hungary, Holland, Portugal, France, Austria, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Finland and the United Kingdom, in addition to Italy, Denmark and Ireland, as well as representatives from the European Commission.

The conference will gather Saudi and European investors and will present opportunities in the field of conventional and renewable energy, real estate, transport, food and agriculture, healthcare, education and sports, in addition to tourism, Information Technology and communication.