JEDDAH — The first European business networking reception, assembling the business groups and commercial sections of Jeddah-based European consulates, was held Monday at the residence of French Consul General Louis Blin under the patronage of European Union Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adam Kulach. Six stands were set up where representatives from the consulates of France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and the United Kingdom, along with their respective business groups, displayed informative booklets of their companies operating in the Kingdom. The approach represented an innovative way for European businessmen to share contacts between them, build a fruitful and powerful network and meet 250 prominent business guests from Saudi organizations and companies. Blin welcomed the guests and explained the aim of the initiative on behalf of the European consulates represented in Jeddah. “I am delighted to be hosting this very special event at the French Residence in Jeddah. It is the first of a series of engagements aimed at reinforcing the ties between Saudi companies and the European business communities represented in Jeddah. While it is true that European companies often find themselves in competition with each other in international markets, they also have a great track record in cooperating and collaborating to deliver best-in-class solutions to meet business needs across multiple sectors. In its own way, this event demonstrates the capability and capacity of European countries to work together to these ends,” he said. EU Ambassador Kulach also stressed the positive political implications for the European Union to establish a European business platform that can encourage relations between member states and at the same time increase the EU visibility in a country like Saudi Arabia located in the heart of the Gulf Region. “European Union diplomatic representatives, including a non-member state like Switzerland that is in the heart of Europe and part of Europe, worked hard with the business community to conceive and concretize an initiative promoting business but also bilateral relations among EU member states and especially between the EU and the Kingdom,” said Kulach. “This project represents a wonderful opportunity to focus our attention on the broader EU relationship with the Gulf region and Saudi Arabia where the EU is already perceived as a positive integration model and should further increase its visibility. Apart from the six countries that are represented here today and brought part of their business network with them, we should remember that the EU comprises 28 member states having a lot to offer to Saudi Arabia and this region. We will work hard to transform the European business networking into a yearly event in which more and more EU countries will be gradually able to participate,” he added. Kulach concluded with a brief reference to the recent Nobel Peace Prize assigned to the European Union for its historical role in promoting reconciliation and peace. “As Europeans we have shown in many occasions that we can take lessons and learn from crisis. All Europe has been built on solving coexistence problems and removing barriers to a peaceful development. The recent noble peace price to the EU represents a form of appreciation not only toward the organization's past, but also toward its successful way of building understanding,” he added.
