Saudi Arabia will hold an exhibition of its products in Islamabad in March to encourage interaction between the private sectors of the two countries, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Ali S. Awadh Al-Asseeri said on Wednesday.
"We see it as a golden chance for both business communities to realise what do we have to offer to each other," he told APP, in the backdrop of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's visit to the country aimed at forging stronger economic bonds with Saudi Arabia.
The exhibition, first such venture by Saudi Arabia in Pakistan, is aimed at forging closer ties between the private sectors of the two countries. Bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Kingdom annually averages around $2.5 billion, over two billion dollars of which constitute Pakistan's oil and oil-related imports.
There has been a realisation at the highest levels for exploring new areas to expand co-operation, particularly investment by either side. Several Saudi companies are already working in several sectors in Pakistan. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also met Prince Waled bin Talal, Chairman of the Kingdom Holdings who is building two hotels in Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia would hold an exhibition of its products ranging from the high quality dairy products to machinery and could lead to signing of agreements between the business sectors of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Referring to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's visit, he said such meetings were part of continuous high level consultations between the two countries that are tied in strong bonds. He said every visit, either by the President or the Prime Minister, has always had a fruitful result in the political and economic areas and how to further promote these in every walk of life.