400 businessmen will attend the first Saudi-Lebanese Economic Forum, which will be opened later today by Prince Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, in the presence of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri.
Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, Chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, told Arab News that the Forum was aimed at strengthening economic and commercial ties between the two countries. “The two-day meeting will investigate the obstacles facing joint investment projects, and the reasons for a decline in trade exchange,” Jeraisy said.
Lebanese ministers of trade, industry and agriculture, and representatives of the chambers of commerce and associations of contractors, hotels, hospitals and travel and tourism agents will attend the meeting.
Dr Abdul-Aziz Al-Maqoushi, assistant Secretary-General of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry for media affairs, said that the Lebanese side would inform Saudi businessmen of the investment opportunities in their country. He said that the Forum would focus on the prospects of boosting cooperation in the areas of tourism, banking, investment, education, health, information technology, communications and real estate.
Lebanon’s exports to the Kingdom declined from SR457 in 1991 to SR173 million last year. The two countries have established 190 joint ventures.
Source; SPA
