SAUDI-EAST AFRICAN FORUM AND EXHIBITION

The Saudi-East African Forum was held in Addis Ababa November 14 - 17, 2009, with the attendance of high level delegation from Saudi Arabia and East African countries.  Prime Minister Meles Zenawi opened the Saudi-East African Exhibition at the Millennium Hall and the Forum/Investment Conference at the ECA Conference Hall. The Saudi delegation consisted of four Ministers and representatives from fifty large companies.

The Saudi-East African Forum initiated by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz was facilitated and organized  by Sheikh Mohammed H. Al-Amoudi, Owner and Chairman of MIDROC Ethiopia.  The event was sponsored by Saudi Star Agricultural Development Plc, one of the MIDROC Ethiopia Investment Group Companies.

The Saudi delegates were here to explore investment potentials in East Africa, mainly in the areas of Agriculture, Agro-industry, Hotel and Tourism and Infrastructure Development.

It was learnt from the presentations made at the ECA Conference Hall by the Saudi authorities and business representatives that the Saudi Government and financial institutions are to provide the required assistance and investment funds necessary to realize agricultural development projects to be agreed upon by/between the Saudi private businesses and their East-African counterparts.

The objective of the Forum is reported to be one that promotes partnership and cooperation between the business communities of Saudi Arabia and East African countries in the areas of development of agriculture and agro-industry capable of exporting produces to Saudi Arabia and satisfying the need for same in local markets as well.

The high level delegation from Saudi Arabia also held talks with Heads of States and Representatives of seven East African countries; namely, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya,  Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda.

This noble strategy of bringing together the riches of the Middle East, specially Saudi Arabia; and the fertile soil-and-water-endowed East Africa, specially Ethiopia is the result of the dynamic vision of Sheikh Mohammed H. Al-Amoudi.

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