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.

السفير ال صالح يقيم حفل عشاء على شرف  صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير عبد الرحمن بن مساعد

سيدني 25 -10-2014

اقام سعادة سفير خادم الحرمين الشريفين لدى  استراليا ونيوزيلاندا الاستاذ نبيل بن محمد ال صالح مساء اليوم حفل عشاء في مدينة سيدني باستراليا على شرف  صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير عبد الرحمن بن مساعد رئيس نادي الهلال وبعثة  الفريق  الذي يزور استراليا حاليا  لملاقاة مضيفه ويسترن سيدني الأسترالي في ذهاب نهائي بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا على ملعب مدينة باراماتا في سيدني التي ستجري بعد ظهر اليوم السبت

حضر العشاء الملحق الدبلوماسي في السفارة  صاحب السمو الملكي الامير عبد العزيز بن تركي بن بدر بن سعود بن عبد العزيز ال سعود  ، والملحق الثقافي الدكتور عبد العزيز بن عبدالله بن طالب  واعضاء السفارة والملحقية الثقافية  وعدد من رجال الاعمال السعوديين واعضاء الشرف في نادي الهلال  وتبودلت خلاله  الكلمات والأحاديث الودية والرياضية وقدمت الهدايا التذكارية وتمنى سعادة السفير ال صالح وجميع الحضور لممثل الوطن فريق الهلال تحقيق الفوز وأن يعود إلى الديار بنصر مؤزر يتطلع اليه  الجميع.

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.

Saudi National Day Celebrations 2014

Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Australia Nabil Al Saleh held an official reception in the Australian capital Canberra on the occasion of the Kingdom’s 84th Saudi National Day.

The Ceremony was attended by Bruce Scott Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chris Cannan Chief of Protocol in Australia, Philip Ruddock MP, a number of public and political Australian figures and Ambassadors of Arab, Islamic and foreign States, members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of the Embassy, the Cultural Attaché and Arab students in Australia, where they all have been welcomed by Mr. Nabil bin Mohammed Al Saleh, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Australia, the Chancellor Dr. Hassan Al-Ansari, the Vice Ambassador and Dr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Taleb, the cultural attaché.

The official ceremony started by exchanging greetings and best wishes to both countries by Ambassador Al-Saleh and Chief of Protocol Mr Cannan, followed by the Royal Saudi anthem and the Australian national anthem.

Message from the Honourable Tony Abbott, Prime Minister

“We are working together in a range of forums, including the United Nations and the G20, and share a commitment to global peace and security.”

“I am pleased to provide this message for everyone celebrating Saudi National Day and I convey my best wishes to his majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, his government, and the people of Saudi Arabia. This occasion is the opportunity for the people of Saudi heritage to come together in celebration of the history, achievements, and the culture of the modern Saudi state. Australia values the strong constructive relationship between our two countries. Saudi Arabia is our second largest trading partner in the Middle East, with total two-way trade valued at 2.2 billion Australian dollars. The recently established Saudi Australia Business Council will also promote even greater growth, investment, and prosperity for both our countries. Over ten thousand Saudi students study here in Australia, representing the largest group of students from the Middle East. We are also working together in a range of forums, including the United Nations and the G20, and share a commitment to global peace and security. I am confident that the friendship between Australia and Saudi Arabia will continue to strengthen and flourish in the years to come. I send my best wishes to you all and I wish you an enjoyable Saudi National Day.”

Saudi Ambassador meets with Australian Trade Minister

October 01, 2014, Canberra SPA

Saudi Ambassador to Australia Nabil bin Mohammed Al Saleh met in Canberra with Australian Minister of Trade and Investment Andrew Robb.
During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the fields of trade and investment.
It is noteworthy that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries during the year 2013 amounted to 2.459 billion Australian dollars, including 2.190 billion dollars worth of Australian exports to the Kingdom and 269 million dollars worth of Saudi exports to Australia.