Saudi Arabia-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission Joint Communiqué

The ninth meeting of the Saudi Arabia-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) was held in Canberra on the 22nd of  March 2013 [10 Jumada Al-Ula 1434H]. The Commission was co-chaired by the Saudi Minister for Agriculture, His Excellency Dr Fahd Abdurahman Balghunaim and the Australian Minister for Trade and Competitiveness, Dr Craig Emerson. Dr Balghunaim also held discussions with his Australian counterpart, Senator Joe Ludwig, on agriculture issues on the 21st of March.

The Saudi delegation headed by Minister of Agriculture Dr. Fahd Balghunaim arrived Perth Airport in Western Australia was received by Saudi Charge D’affaires to Australia and New Zealand Reda bin Abdulmohsen Al-Nuzha.
The Kingdom’s delegation includes Director General of Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organization Eng. Walid Al-Khuraiji, Undersecretary of Ministry of Culture and Information for Foreign Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Saleh bin Salama, The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture for Fisheries Affairs Eng. Jaber Bin Mohammed Al-Shihri, Undersecretary Assistants of the Ministry of Agriculture for livestock affairs Dr Khaled Bin Mohammed Alfheed and a number of representatives of the ministries, governmental institutions, and businessmen.

Dr Emerson and Dr Balghunaim welcomed the friendly relations between Australia and Saudi Arabia, underpinned by substantial and long-standing economic relations. The JMC meeting, the first held since 2006, presented an important opportunity for discussions on re-invigorating and expanding trade, investment and commercial ties, including in agriculture, manufactures, education, energy and resources.

Ministers highlighted the importance of the private sector to expansion of the economic relationship. They welcomed the signing at the JMC meeting of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Australia-Saudi Business Council and the Council of Saudi Chambers establishing the Saudi-Australia Joint Business Council. Ministers noted also the opportunity presented by the JMC for business-to-business engagement.

The JMC meeting was supported by four officials-level working group meetings held on 21 March and covering: trade and investment; agriculture and food security; education and training; and energy and resources.

Picture (left): A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Chairman, Tom Harley and Mr Samir Gabbani, on behalf of Mr Abdullah Al-Mobty, Chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers and witnessed by the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness Dr Craig Emerson and the Saudi Minister for Agriculture the Hon Dr Fahd bin Abdurahman Balghunaim, in Canberra 

For more pictures from the official visit Click Here

Saudi Arabian Embassy Celebrates 82nd National Day

September 18th Canberra, Australia

The Charge D’Affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Australia, H. E. Reda Al-Nuzha held a reception at the Hayat Hotel in Canberra on the occasion of the 82 National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .

The ceremony was attended by a crowd of public and political figures, members of the House of Representatives and the Federal Senate of Australia, Ambassadors from Arab, Islamic and foreign Countries, accredited in Canberra, as well as Arab and Muslim communities representatives in Australia.

The guests of the celebration where received by the Saudi Arabia’s chargé d’affaires Reda Al-Nuzha, The Saudi Consul  in Canberra Dr Hassan Alansari, Mr. Faisal Ghazi Hifzi First Secretary,Saudi  Culture  attaché Abdul-Aziz  Bin Taleb .

The ceremony began with the Australian and Saudi National Anthem then the chargé D’Affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia H.E. Reda Al-Nuzha and the Chief of Protocol Sally Mansfield, exchanged the warmest congratulations and best wishes for both countries.

Messages of the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Bob Carr were read on the occasion, underlined the strength and depth of Australia -Saudi Arabia relations.

Prime Minister Gillard Values  Australia Saudi cooperative relationship, “Australia greatly values its friendly and cooperative relationship with Saudi Arabia, underpinned by our shared commitment to peace, stability and development in the Middle East. Australia also values its close cooperation with Saudi Arabia in key international bodies, including the United Nations and the G20.” MP Said in her Message.

The Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr, praised in his message the Kingdom leaderships standing in the world and the positive development of bilateral relations shared between the two countries on regional and international level, noting in particular the cooperation in the Group of Twenty and other international forums to serve the issues of stability, peace and development in the world.

In his part the Charge D’Affaires convey his best wishes and congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, the Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi Government and Saudi people .

Mr Nuzha expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Australian officials and Australian people towards the Kingdom, leadership and Saudi people on the occasion of National Day , which reflects the growing and positive development in Saudi- Australian relations.

Minister Bob Carr has praises relations between Australia and Saudi Arabia

May 27, 2012, Canberra

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr has praised the existing strong relations between Australia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He also praised Saudi Arabia’s vital role in promoting stability and peace around the world.
He made the remarks in a statement to Saudi Press Agency.
Bob Carr stressed Australia’s commitment to strengthen further its relations with the Kingdom and continue working with it to promote global peace and stability. He also drew attention to the common bilateral interests between the two countries on combating terrorism.
He said the Kingdom is the second largest trading partner for Australia in the Middle East with a balance of trade of more than US$ 1.9 billion.
The Australian Foreign Minister expressed pride of his country in hosting a large number of Saudi students who receive their education at universities and institutes of Australia and play a key role in strengthening relations between the two countries.