Maher Abbas Saudi Gazette RIYADH – New Egyptian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Afeefi Abdul Wahab has said trade exchange between the two countries reached 30 billion Egyptian pounds ($5 billion) last year. Expecting Cairo to double this figure within a short period of time, he added: “This figure is not up to the aspirations of the people of both countries.” In an exclusive interview with the Saudi Gazette, the ambassador spoke at length about many topics of mutual concern while highlighting the strong bilateral relations between the two countries and the Kingdom's unwavering support to Egypt. He said that the visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, who headed a delegation of more than 50 prominent Saudi businessmen to Egypt last month, was instrumental in further boosting economic ties in all spheres between the two countries. He added: “One of the major goals of the visit was to re-explore the avenues of cooperation in all economic and investment fields, besides having a close look at the new economic and investment environment after the January 2011 Revolution. “During the visit, several meetings and discussions were held between the two sides aimed at bringing Arab and foreign investments back into Egypt, with a special focus on Saudi Arabia as it is at the forefront of countries that have made huge investments in our country's industrial, tourism, service and real estate sectors.” Abdul Wahab said the minister's visit also resulted in opening up vast opportunities for investment and bolstering commercial relations between the two states. He added: “I have plans to meet Saudi businessmen to find out their opinions and plans to pump more investments into Egypt in the future.” Referring to the impediments that stand in the way of the smooth inflow of Saudi investments into Egypt, the ambassador said that this was one of the topics discussed between the two sides during the visit of Al-Rabiah. Top Egyptian officials, including President Mohamed Morsi, emphasized the need to remove the hurdles and assured the Saudi side that Cairo gives top priority to this. Referring to widening circle of goods exempt from customs duty between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Abdul Wahab said: “Negotiations are under way between the concerned authorities in the two countries to add more goods to the list of goods exempt from customs duty in a way protecting the economic, commercial and industrial interests of both the countries. “There would be a big momentum in further enhancing exports between the two countries in the near future. For boosting exports, it is essential for us to market highly competitive and top quality products that are in demand in the Saudi open market.” He added the Kingdom is playing a great role in boosting foreign investment in Egypt by implementing huge joint ventures in the industrial, tourism, service and real estate sectors. He also noted a prominent Egyptian investor is implementing a multimillion riyal housing project in north Riyadh. According to Abdul Wahab, joint ventures are instrumental in deepening economic relations between the two countries. He said: “The volume of Egyptian investments in the Kingdom reached more than SR3 billion, and mutual investments are expected to reach the break-even point within the next few years.” Replying to queries about labor problems involving Egyptians in the Kingdom, the ambassador said the Egyptian community lives happily in their second home. He said: “It is noteworthy that Saudi officials emphasized the fact that Egyptians, despite their huge number, are among those expatriates who create the least number of problems and are fully adherent to Saudi regulations and traditions. There are about 1.8 million Egyptians living in the Kingdom.” The ambassador said their diplomatic missions strive to solve labor problems in an amicable and cordial atmosphere. There are instances of labor disputes being resolved between Saudi employers and Egyptian workers in this way. However, in cases such as detention of Egyptian human rights lawyer Ahmed Al-Jizawi on charges of drug smuggling, the law would take its course, he added. Commenting on the Al-Jizawi case and media reports on the affair in Egypt, Abdul Wahab said the guidance department at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is alerting all Egyptians going abroad either to take up jobs or just visit to strictly abide by the rules and regulations of the hosting country. The department warns all those traveling to Saudi Arabia to avoid carrying any such goods forbidden by the hosting country. Replying to queries about whether there is any increase in the demand for Egyptian workers in the Kingdom, the ambassador said it depends on the acquisition of high professional capabilities and job training in the wake of the stiff competition prevailing in the Saudi labor market. He added: “It is essential to conduct intensive training programs for Egyptian workers going to Saudi Arabia and other GCC states to enable them acquire job skills and proficiency and thus compete with Asian workers. “We have to give the best possible training in various technical and engineering specializations as well as in the fields of health supervision, nursing and technical trades so that they can acquire proficiency while competing with the Asians.” Referring to the problems facing Egyptian students in the Kingdom, he said: “Egyptian expatriates in the Kingdom make up the largest Egyptian community abroad. Our students are attending courses at various levels of school education in the Kingdom. “The Saudi authorities have granted permission to some private schools to follow the Egyptian curriculum and that is under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. We thank the Saudi authorities for their utmost keenness and extra care given to Egyptian students.” Abdul Wahab said the cultural office at the embassy conducts annual public examinations for Egyptian students from elementary first standard level up to secondary final in addition to conducting examinations. There are examination centers in 13 cities across the Kingdom. He also drew attention to the problems faced by secondary school graduates in getting admission to the engineering faculty at Suez University. He added: “We have sought the intervention of Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Kamel Amr as well as the prime minister and other concerned ministers to solve the problem. “I had the opportunity to understand properly the problems of secondary school graduates during a meeting with a number of parents and students at a function commemorating the October 6 Victory Day. “Cultural Adviser Dr. Salah Taher was also present at the function held at the cultural and educational office last Wednesday.” He added the embassy is striving to address this problem after the introduction of a new rule from Cairo stating that students must sit qualifying tests to get admission to Egyptian universities. The ambassador also noted Saudi Higher Education Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari positively responded to a request from him to consider granting scholarships to Egyptian secondary school graduates. Discussing the Saudi-Egyptian relations in the post-revolution era, Abdul Wahab said: “These historic relations have been rooted in the depths of time. “The first ever foreign visit made by President Morsi after taking office was to Saudi Arabia. This visit shows the high regard Egypt holds for Saudi Arabia. “When I arrived in Riyadh last month as the new ambassador to the Kingdom, I felt the sincere desire expressed by all Saudis who I met to further bolster bilateral relations and take them to new heights. “Saudi Arabia and Egypt form a major pivot that strives to serve the interests of the Arab nation.” Replying to a question with regard to this year's Haj pilgrims from Egypt whose number exceeded 100,000, the ambassador said: “Like pilgrims from other countries, Egyptian pilgrims also receive great care and concern from the Saudi officials. “Every year, an official Haj mission from our country visits the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to ensure proper accommodation, transportation and other facilities for our pilgrims. “The Saudi authorities are making available all the best possible services and facilities for the pilgrims. “We have appointed Dr. Hisham Shaiha, health consultant at the embassy, as the head of our health mission, and our Haj mission consists of a large number of officials and employees who have been mobilized to extend the best possible services to the pilgrims.”
