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Poland pushes for Saudi investment in key projects

RIYADH: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk yesterday emphasized his country's desire to expand cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the areas of oil, defense, food industry, medical services, health tourism and financial services.

"We also want to increase trade exchange," the prime minister said while addressing businessmen at the Council of Saudi Chambers in Riyadh, which was attended by members of the Saudi-Polish Business Council.

He said he had discussed prospects of SABIC's role in privatizing his country's petrochemical sector during his meeting with Saudi officials. "We also discussed prospects of purchasing Saudi oil," he added.

Tusk welcomed Saudi students to Polish universities and institutes. "We are also seeking Saudi investment for infrastructure projects," he added.

He called upon businessmen from the two countries to make use existing strong relations for strengthening trade and investment cooperation.

Tusk, who met Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah at his palace here Monday, commended the king's efforts to promote world peace and reinforce security and stability in the Middle East.

"Everybody wants to cooperate with Saudi Arabia as a result of its international reputation and its economic strength," the Polish leader said.

Tusk urged Saudi businessmen to make use of his country's economic boom.

"Over the past years Polish government has spent about $200 billion to develop the country's infrastructure," he added.

The prime minister spoke about his country's economic strength, saying Poland enjoys the top position in Europe in terms of receiving foreign investment.

"We have been successful in overcoming the effect of the European and global financial crisis. We enjoy economic stability backed by huge government spending that offers a good opportunity for businesses to thrive and expand their activities," he said.

The prime minister also called upon Saudi and Polish businessmen to establish joint investment projects benefiting people of both countries.

Earlier, Fahd bin Sultan, chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers, opened the meeting and welcomed the Polish prime minister.

Fahd Al-Rabiah, deputy chairman, estimated the volume of mutual trade at SR2.1 billion. Saudi exports to Poland in 2010 amounted to SR536 million against Polish exports of SR1.8 billion to the Kingdom.

"The two countries have to activate bilateral agreements in order to promote trade exchange and joint investments," Al-Rabiah said.

Dr. Yasser Al-Harbi, president of the Saudi-Polish Business Council, explained his organization's efforts to promote business relations between the two countries and remove its obstacles.

© Arab News 2012

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