DAMMAM — An Austrian commercial delegation, headed by Vice President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Richard Schenz, visited the Asharqia Chamber on Wednesday.

Christoph Pfeiffer, economic counselor at the Austrian Embassy in Riyadh, and representatives of several Austrian authorities and companies specialized in various economic, industrial, agricultural, tourist and other sectors, were present.

First Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asharqia Chamber Hamad bin Al-Buali stressed the deep-rooted relations between the two countries and efforts exerted in the economic field by the stakeholders.

Specialists from King Salman Energy City (SPARK) participated in the meeting and delivered a presentation on the city, which is an integrated industrial environmental system spanning over 50 square kilometers and is witnessing fast development to become a leading gate for the regional energy sector in the future.

During the meeting, Al-Buali pointed out that the economic relations between Saudi Arabia and Austria are characterized by constant growth and strategic nature based on foundations that aim at serving the interests of the two countries at all levels. He said the volume of commercial exchange between the two countries grew from around SR1.8 billion in 2005 to almost SR3.3 billion in 2020.

Saudi Arabia is now a major export destination and the main trading partner of Austria in the Middle East, he added.

Al-Buali noted that there is a growing keenness in the two countries to further advance bilateral relations spanning over more than 60 years.

Members of the delegation are specialized in various sectors, mainly real estate, architecture, medical technology, energy efficiency, renewable energy, automobile industry, and entertainment. — SPA