The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Italy signed an agreement to boost relations in the fields of agriculture and agro-industries.
Minister of Agriculture Dr Fahd A. Balghunaim yesterday signed the agreement with visiting Italian Minister of Agricultural and Forestry Policies Dr Giovanni Alemanno.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Dr Giovanni told the press that the agreement would initiate new areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was a follow-up of the bilateral agreement on cultural, scientific and technical cooperation signed in Riyadh in February 1973 and the agreement on economic, industrial, technical and financial cooperation signed in March 1975.
Dr Giovanni said that his country is keen to import fresh dates from the Kingdom, in addition to various petroleum products. He told businessmen that there are ample opportunities in Italy for Saudi products, but they need effective marketing strategies in that part of the world. He invited the businessmen to participate in the international exhibitions that will be held in March and May next year to showcase their products and services. The Minister also sought the assistance of Saudi officials to provide expertise in processing Halal food.
The Saudi-Italian agreement also seeks to promote business ventures between agricultural companies of the two countries and attract investment. Dr Giovanni said that the agreement, which will be valid for five years, could be renewed with mutual consent of the two parties at the end of its duration.
Italian Ambassador Dr Armando Sanguini said that the agreement reflects a significant turning point in Saudi-Italian agricultural relations.
Source: SPA
