AACI Luncheon held in honour of Saudi Ambassador and Saudi Member of Shura Council

A Luncheon was hosted at the Four Seasons Sydney for the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia for Australia and New Zealand, H E Nabil Al-Saleh and the  Saudi Member of the Shura  Council, Usamah Al-Kurdi, by the AACCI NSW Chair, Mohamed Hage. He briefly spoke at the event, which spoke about high level engagement opportunities between the two countries. The event was also  attended by the Member of Banks, The Hon David Coleman MP and 24AACCl’s handpicked guest, to ensure a  conversation that was candid and informed.

The Hon Mr Al-Kurdi is the President of Alagat, a business-consulting firm based in Riyadh and a member of Saudi Arabia’s Consultative Council (Majlis Al-Shura). He serves as a Board Member of Saudi Arabian Airlines and an Executive Committee member of the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce. As part of the Shura Council, he is a Member of the Economic and Energy Affairs Committee and the Chairman of the Saudi-American Friendship Committee.

From 1990-2001, Mr Al-Kurdi served as Secretary General of the Council of Saudi Chambers of  Commerce, as well as Vice President of Saudi Consulting House, a forerunner of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).

As Saudi Arabia becomes increasingly influential and accessible, the opportunities for Australian companies to enter the  market are opening up.  Saudi Arabia continues to cement itself as a global and diversified market.

Investment Opportunities Conference in Toowoomba

Saudi Ambassador to Australia Mr. Nabil Al Saleh opened the “Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Conference on Thursday June 4, 2015 held in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.

The event was organised by Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry in conjunction with  the Toowoomba “Sirat Bison” Business Group. The conference was attended by more than 150 people, including senior businessmen and investors in the oil and mining, agriculture, education, legal, technological and service fields in Australia.

In his speech the Ambassador thanked the organisers for hosting the event and enlightened the atendees as to the current development and expansion of Saudi Arabia and its resources.

“The Kingdom is now the 19th largest economy in the world, the single largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa region with a GDP worth 752 billion dollars and representing 25% of the entire MENA economic output.

“It is now recognised as the third fastest economy in the world with an annual average growth of 5 % over the past decade. Only preceded by China and India.

And in recognition of the Kingdom’s growth and stability, Fitch Ratings agency upgraded Saudi Arabia to “AA” demonstrating the Kingdom’s financial stability and high credit quality. Ranking Saudi Arabia 7th within the G20.

“Reflecting on this, it is apparent that over the course of the last eight decades, the Kingdom has modernised at a rapid pace and has succeeded in becoming one of the top-ranking economies in the world within a very short period.”

The Ambassador also discussed with attendees the booming investment opportunities emerging in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“We have been blessed by natural resources with proven

¼ of the world’s oil reserve and a current output of just over 10 million barrels per day.

“We have the 4th largest gas reserve in the world. As well as a richness in a wide array of minerals.

“Furthermore, we are committed to increasing our production capacity of Petrochemicals to reach 100 million metric tons per annum by 2015.

“This, in turn, would make the Kingdom the third largest global exporter of petrochemicals.

The Ambassador closed his speech by inviting investors to establish business projects in Saudi Arabia and enlightened them as to the mutual benefits such projects would achieve.

“For a very young country, its transformation has been astonishing. But all of you in this room are an important part of this. You create jobs. You take the risks to create the opportunities and better the future of yourselves and both of our countries.

“With this in mind, and the economic progress achieved in the Kingdom thus far.

“It is worth noting that the Kingdom continues to foster a progressive investment environment.

“Some worth noting elements of our laws include: That Foreign investors can have 100 % ownership of their projects

“We have a robust investment legal system; We have a low cost financing system;

“Foreign investors are eligible to apply for loans from the Saudi Industrial Development Fund. These are interest- free loans up to 50% of project capital or up to $160 million USD.”

Ambassador praises visit of Trade Minister to Saudi Arabia

The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Australia, H.E Nabil Bin Mohammad Al Saleh has emphasised the importance of the recent visit of the Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb and various other senior Australian businessmen to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Countries.

The Ambassador has stated that this was an excellent opportunity for Australia to build and strengthen extensive trade relations with key partners in Saudi Arabia and across the Arab world. He also stated that this visit reflected the current strong trade ties between Australia and the Arab world.

During their two day visit to Saudi Arabia the Trade Minister and his delegation met with a large number of senior officials in the Kingdom, including the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabia, the Minister of Economy and Planning, Dr Mohammed Bin Suleiman Al Jasser, the Minister of Agriculture Abdul Rahman Bin Abdul Mohsen Al Fadhli, the Governor of Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority (SAGIA), Abdullatif Bin Ahmed Al Othman, GCC Secretary, Abdul Latif Bin Rashid Al Zayani, Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr Hamad Bin Sulaiman Bazei and also the Vice Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Saleh Bin Hassan Afaleq.

On his part, the Australian Minister of Trade, Andrew Robb, stated that his trip was an important opportunity to extend their trade relations with Saudi Arabia. Minister Robb also emphasised the importance of resuming free trade negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council States.

Minister Robb also attended a meeting with the Saudi Business Council of Australia held in the Saudi Chambers in Riyadh Council. This meeting was headed by Abdul Latif Bin Misfer Al Zahrani on the Saudi side and Tom Harley on the Australian side. H.E Ambassador Nabil Al Saleh was also in attendance, along with Ambassador of Australia to the Kingdom Ralph King. During this meeting the two sides discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in regards to the fields of economy and investment and ways of enhancing them on both sides.

Australian Trade Minister visits Saudi Arabia

Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb has visited the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to promote commercial opportunities for Australia business in two of the region’s leading markets. The trip took place over three days.

During the trip. Mr Robb participated in Austrade’s annual regional promotion Australia Unlimited Gulf, which showcased Australian capabilities in education, agriculture and food, resource and water management, urban development, rail, sports and tourism.

“There is a strong fit between demand in the Gulf and Australia’s strengths. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing in infrastructure and restructuring their economies; creating opportunities in sectors where Australia has a proven track record,” Mr Robb said.

Mr Robb also met with senior Ministers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to advocate for a resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Prior to his trip, Minister Robb stated that “I will use my visit to set out the Australian Government’s trade and investment agenda. To emphasis that Australia is open for business and that we are committed to deepening our economic engagement with region,” Mr Robb said.

Mr Robb also met with some of the region’s most important investment funds. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have large sovereign wealth funds with total assets of US$1.7 trillion and are looking to make new international investments into food security, agriculture and infrastructure projects.

In Riyadh, Mr Robb also meet with the more than 20 Australian Universities and education providers attending the International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education and promote Australia as an education destination.

“Gulf countries face challenges in providing education and skills development for their growing and youthful populations. Australia offers world-class opportunities for international education, as well as education and training services delivered in-market,” Mr Robb said.

Mr Robb noted the growth in aviation links between Australia and the Gulf–with more than 140 flights a week – will deepen business links and facilitate growth in the number of tourists from the region.

Mr Robb also opened the Council for Australian Arab Relations’ ‘Food Water Energy Nexus’ policy seminars in both Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, which brought together various experts to discuss issues which are both challenges to Australia and the region.

Crown Prince Salman Message of Thanks to Prime Minister of Australia

Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, sent a thanking cable to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Abbott to mark the end of the state visit the Crown Prince has made to Australia.

In his cable, Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said: “Following my visit to your friendly country for leading the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the G20 Summit on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, I expressed sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to me and the accompanying delegation.”

“I laud the positive outcomes of the G20 Summit which will have a significant impact on the closer cooperation among G20 members in all fields in order to achieve development and prosperity of the international community,” Crown Prince Salman added.

In conclusion, the Crown Prince wished the Australian Prime Minister continuous health and happiness and the Australian people steady progress and prosperity.

Saudi Ambassador thanks Crown Prince for joining students to Saudi Scholarships

Canberra, November 16, 2014, SPA

Saudi Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand Nabil bin Mohammed Al Saleh has expressed in his name and on behalf of Saudi students on scholarships in Australia his deepest thanks and appreciation to Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense for his directives that 370 Saudi male and female students studying at their own expenses in Australia shall join Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Foreign Scholarship.
He thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince for their continuing support for the program to achieve its objectives to prepare a generation contributing to the march of overall development and renaissance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in all fields.

Saudi journalists tour media center for G20 Summit in Australia

The Saudi media delegation participating in coverage of the activities of the G20 summit which will be held on 15 and 16 November toured the international media center of the summit in the city of Brisbane.

The delegation included the President of Saudi Press Agency (SPA) Abdullah bin Fahd Al-Hussein, various newspaper editors, writers, radio and television producers and also a delegation from the Saudi Press Agency. The media delegation is participating in the coverage of the summit.

On the sidelines of the summit, the Ministry of Culture and Information has a special pavilion within the centre providing materials on the Kingdom’s progress and relations with Australia.

Al-Hilal Football Club thanks Saudi Ambassador in Australia

The Al-Hilal Football Club’s Board of Directors chaired by H.R.H Prince Abdulrahman Bin Mosaad has offered their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Australia Mr. Nabil Al Saleh and to all embassy staff and members. The Embassy played a prominent role in accomodating and facilitating Al-Hilal’s delegation during their stay in Australia for the Asian Champions League. His Royal Highness also offered his gratitude to Al-Hilal’s fans who supported the team during the first leg of the final in Sydney and had represented the Saudi citizens in a very high manner.

Saudi Ambassador welcomed first joint meeting of the Australian Saudi Business Council

24 october 2014 – Canberra

The Saudi Ambassador in Australia and New Zealand Nabil Al Saleh, has welcomed the launch of the first joint meeting of the Business Council of Saudi Australia held in Canberra. The meetings will be headed by Abdul Latif bin Misfer al-Zahrani on the Saudi side and Tom Harley on the Australian side. The joint-meetings included a program over several days between 21 and 24 Oct throughout several Australian cities, including Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, the Australian capital.

The first meeting was held in the reception hall of the Museum of History in Canberra, in the presence of a number of Australian officials and Arab Ambassadors, dignitaries, businessmen, members of the Saudi embassy’s cultural attaché and members of the Saudi Arabian Business Council of Australia.

In his speech, Ambassador Al Saleh highlighted the commendable aspects of the Saudi economy and applauded the Kingdom’s leading position in the region as one of the strongest economies in the world, particularly in light of the Kingdom’s recent development and economic boom. The Ambassador also highlighted the various economic opportunities and joint investments the Kingdom holds with the UK and Australia, stressing the importance of investment and economic relations between the two countries in all fields to further development.

On his part, the President of the Saudi Arabian Business Council of Australia Tom Harley praised the outstanding economic role the Kingdom has in the world, stressing the importance of the Saudi Australian Business Council, as an addition to the existing efforts to strengthen the economic and cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Australia. Mr Harley also praised Ambassador Al Saleh along with the members of the embassy in Canberra for their efforts in facilitating the activation of the Council, and their furtherance of economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Saudi Ambassador meets with US Ambassador in Australia

Canberra – October 19 2015 SPA

Saudi Ambassador to Australia Nabil bin Mohammed Al Saleh met at his office in the Embassy in Canberra yesterday with the Ambassador of the United States of America to Australia John Berry and his accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries, ways of enhancing them, and issues of common interest.