Suhas N. Mhatre, the head of the Indian delegation, was optimistic that Indian firms could play a major role in the growing Saudi Arabian beauty market, the largest in the Middle East, while showing double digit growth. "The Saudi market is structured somewhat differently than other similar sized cosmetic markets worldwide. The beauty product market in Saudi Arabia is expanding strongly. In addition, experts estimate the professional or services market is showing double digit rate increase, " Mhatre, section officer of CHEMEXIL, said during a B2B meeting with Saudi businessmen. "Beauty and wellness products are worth more than $2b in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi women spent almost SR9b ($2.4b) on cosmetics, among the highest per capita spending in the world (about $300 per capita per annum), with analysts forecasting that the market will grow by 11 percent year on year," he said, while adding, the value of India-Saudi Arabia bilateral trade during 2014-15 reached $39.4 billion. Abdulelah Al Derwish, chairman of Manuel Luxurious Shopping Market, thanked Indian Consul General B.S. Mubarak, for organizing this incredibly important and impressive event for Saudi businessmen to meet the right people and interact with each other. "It was a great pleasure to attend the B2B meeting organized by SIBN," he said. The Saudi Indian Business Network (SIBN), working under the aegis of the Consulate General of India, organized the B2B meeting for 13 participating company delegates, under the lead of CHEMEXCIL (Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetic Export Promotion Council) with Saudi businessmen from Health, Cosmetic and Chemical Industry at consulate premises. Consul (Commerce) S.R.H. Fahmi has showcased the potential of B2B meetings, its purpose and benefits provided by SIBN for Saudi businessmen. He also stressed the important role played by CHEMEXCIL in the visit of Indian companies to the Saudi Health and Beauty Exhibition. "It shows in a way, bonding between two friendly countries. The trade relations between India and the Kingdom goes back several centuries, and interaction between businessmen from both countries is gaining traction with both exploring the possibilities of establishing joint ventures and partnerships." Saudi businessmen too lauded the effort, with Jaweed O. Alhindi stating this B2B meeting would generate the desired interaction between the Saudi businessmen and Indian suppliers this bridging the information gap, strengthening the existing contacts and developing new ones. Abdullah Ali Sobig, another Saudi businessmen, said, "India is the world's largest producer and exporter of castor oil. The world market depends on India to meet the global needs and the Indian cosmetic industry has shown its ability to produce a wide range of products of good quality and price." Indian delegates, on their part, too valued the interaction with Mrs. Suruchi Aggarwal, of K.K. Exports, calling the meeting' important and impressive' for both the Saudis and Indians in the field of dyes and dye intermediates industry as India has today emerged as a major producer and exporter of quality synthetic organic dyes and pigments. Dr. Kharote Uday of Insto Cosmetic said the hospitality from the Saudi Indian Business Network (SIBN) at the B2B meeting will be cherished and remembered for many years to come. Arjun J. Bheda of Arjun Beewax Industries praised the hospitality and added it was a pleasure to attend and take part in the B2B meeting organized by SIBN, which helped us meet Saudi businessmen and identify potential buyers. Majeedul Hassan, SIBN general secretary, said "This meeting has provided an excellent opportunity to major buyers from Kingdom to interact with Indian manufacturers for sourcing their product requirements from India. It was the right platform to showcase Indian products." Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, SIBN executive secretary, said, "The group is striving to promote trade and commerce, business alliances, joint ventures and investments, by being a catalyst in promoting business." Vijay Soni, SIBN treasurer, was of the view that Saudis are interested in investing and trading with India and Indians, and this is is one of SIBN's priorities and B2B meetings are a real driver." Zakaria Biladi, event management of SIBN, said the purpose of the B2B meeting was to promote India ́s exports of its premier products, and to create a positive brand image of Indian products. Asim Zeeshan giving a live touch to business needs and opportunities for Saudi's businessmen in India compered the program. He also introduced Indian delegates to Saudi businessmen and arranged meetings between them. Amjad Sharif managed the B2B meetings and event and Zaki gave a vote of thanks. Meanwhile, Rao from Akzo Nobel-Dulux Paint, Asim from Premier Paints, KC Abdul Rahman from Uni-Liver and Hadi Walajahi from Juffali Chemicals attended,
