Ahead of the second annual US-Saudi Business Opportunities Forum to be held on Dec. 5-7 in Atlanta, Georgia, Saudi Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah Alireza underscored the importance of the gathering and the benefit the two countries would have from the "great interaction." The three-day event will highlight the US-Saudi commercial and trade relationship and how US companies can participate in Saudi Arabia's expansion. It will explore opportunities for greater economic collaboration between the two countries as well as provide an unparalleled business networking environment for American and Saudi executives. "The US-Saudi partnership is strategic, solid, and will continue to evolve over the years and this forum will work to ensure that this great potential is realized. Saudi Arabia is the top market in the region, and potential US exports are forecast to more than double by 2015. Simply put, Saudi Arabia is moving away from being the gas station of the world towards a sophisticated laboratory of excellence, innovation, and knowledge. .. We are building the future today," Alireza said in a statement posted on the Forum website. Alireza and the head of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency Muhammad Al-Jasser have confirmed that they will speak at the conference. Other Saudi officials invited to speak include Education Minister Faisal Bin Abdullah Al-Saud and Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf. US Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner and Trade Representative Ron Kirk are also invited along with other national and local officials. The event will feature sessions on education, renewable energy, information technology, infrastructure and other industries. "We are fortunate that Saudi Arabia and the US have a strong foundation of trust and partnership to build on. Today Saudi Arabia is taking unprecedented steps to expand and diversify its economy into knowledge-based industries. American companies have the expertise and resources to help the Kingdom reach its ambitious development goals and the opportunities for commercial engagement and partnership are immense. When you look at the sum of these projects, you see a country that is demonstrating vision and a commitment to generational growth. So, what we have is a crystal clear example of win-win opportunities. Saudi Arabia is embarking on historic development projects and its government welcomes US companies to help it succeed," Gary Locke, US Ambassador to China and former US Department of Commerce Secretary, said in a statement on the website. __
