Lebanese President meets businessmen 2 Jeddah

SPA - On his part, the Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah bin Ahmed Zainal called on Saudi businessmen to contribute along with Lebanese counterparts to the advancement of trade exchange and investment between the Kingdom and Lebanon to the level stressed by the leaders of the two countries.

The minister emphasized the importance of working together to boost
the volume of trade exchange between the two countries, pointing to
the increase in the balance from SR 981 million in 2000 to SR 1,896
million last year. He noted that the current level of bilateral trade
is not commensurate with great potentials and opportunities for both
countries.
The minister affirmed the need for raising the level of joint
ventures operating in the Kingdom comprising 543 projects, including
228 industrial projects and 314 non-industrial projects with a total
capital of SR 7,177 million, pointing out that Saudi partner's share
is 61.7 percent, Lebanese partner's share 29.11 percent and the
remainder to other partners.
--SPA