Boost for Saudi, Malaysian Trade Ties

Boost for Saudi, Malaysian Trade Ties

By Kamarulzaman Salleh in Jeddah

21 September 2008

The strong bilateral relations between Kuala Lumpur and Riyadh was boosted with the launch of the Jeddah chapter of the Malaysia-Saudi Arabia Friendship Society (MSFS) yesterday. Its goal is to build greater cooperation between the peoples and investors of both countries, said prominent Saudi entrepreneur A. K. Saeed, who was named the first president of the chapter.

There were many areas in which both governments and the private sectors could work together, especially in education, tourism, banking and construction.

Speaking to the Malaysian press, he said the Saudi authorities were embarking on major development programmes which could benefit both sides in the long term.

Malaysian consulate-general Hidayat Abdul Hamid and MSFS president Ahmad Khairuddin Illias were present at the launch.

The MSFS was set up in 1991.

"Education is one of the fields in which we can work on as many Saudi students go to America and Europe. Perhaps we can send more student to Malaysia soon," said Saeed, who is involved in diversified ventures in the Middle East and Europe.

Hidayat said the chapter would boost trade between the two nations, which was currently in Saudi Arabia's favour.

He said Saudi investors may be interested in the halal food industry in Malaysia.

--Courtesy of NST Online,21 September 2008

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