Past Events

Fltr: Engr. Abdullah S. Al-Mobty (CSC), Mr. Johan Beerlandt (ABLCC), Mr. Thierry Willemarck (Beci)

The Belgian Economic Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman, which took place from 14 to 21 March 2014, was a real success. This multi-sectoral economic mission, presided over by HRH Princess Astrid, representative of His Majesty the King, gathered just about 350 participants representing government entities as well as executives of about 170 companies, 50 of whom were business women.

Signing ceremony

On Sunday 16 March, in presence of HRH Princess Astrid, Saudi Arabia and Belgium signed 15 agreements in the fields of infrastructure, Sciences, health, transportation, energy, engineering, and information and communication technology.

One of the agreements signed, which gives emphasis to the importance of economic exchange, involved the Council of Saudi Chambers, the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, and the Brussels Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Honorary distinction

On Sunday 16 March in the afternoon, HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company and Chairman of Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation welcomed HRH Princess Astrid and the Belgian delegation at the Council of Saudi Chambers and was honored “Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold” by Princess Astrid on behalf of King Philippe.

From Riyadh to Jubail

On Monday 17 March in the morning, the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce & Industry welcomed the Belgian delegation. On that occasion, the Chamber organized bilateral meetings, two workshops, as well as B2B contacts with members of the delegations and their Saudi counterparts.

In the afternoon, the Belgian delegation headed to Jubail, first industrial city in Saudi Arabia, to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Katoen Natie Khonaini Logistics Terminal.

To end the day, they visited SOLVAY group which is building one of the world's largest hydrogen peroxide (HP) plants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Jeddah

On Wednesday 18 March, HRH Princess Astrid, the Ministers and the Business delegation traveled to Jeddah in order to attend the Opening of the Saudi - Belgian Business Forum organized in cooperation with Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In the Afternoon, BESIX presented its activities in Saudi Arabia. One of these being one of the most beautiful project in the region: the construction of King Abdullah Sports City.

Afterwards, the Delegation attended a Seminar organized by HEALTHCARE BELGIUM, followed by the signing of the extension on Optima Collaboration Agreement between King Abdulaziz University Hospital and HEALTHCARE BELGIUM.

Finally, to end this eventful day, a cooperation agreement between the Belgian company MITHRA PHARMACEUTICALS and Saudi JAMJOOM Medical Industries was signed in the presence of HRH Princess Astrid and the Ministers.

Sultanate of Oman

On the last two days, the Belgian delegation headed to the Sultanate of Oman in order to attend the Omani-Belgian Business Forum, organized in collaboration with the Oman Chamber of Commerce, followed by roundtables on healthcare, water, and energy & environment.

On Tuesday 20 March, HRH Princess Astrid, HE Ahmed Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Minister Reynders visited Duqm. On that occasion, the first stone of Port of Duqm, a 50/50 joint venture between the Port of Antwerp and the Government of Oman, were laid. A 28 year contract now binds the two Ports together.

In a nutshell, the Belgian Economic Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman paved the way for the negotiation and the signing of agreements as well as for establishing business connections. This Economic Mission has thus been an opportune event for Belgian and Saudi businessmen and businesswomen.