Assaf drew the attention to the fact that the trade and joint investment exchanges between the two countries were growing and already reached $71.3 billion, noting that most Saudi exports to China were in oil and petroleum products in addition to minor exports and calling for further boosting Saudi non-oil exports to China including the petrochemical industries. He disclosed that the joint Saudi Chinese projects amounted to 88 at a capital of $537 million, lauding China's initiative to establish the Asian bank for investment in infrastructure projects to which the Kingdom agreed to become a member. For his part, the Chinese minister said Saudi Arabia is China's main partner in the Middle East and the Gulf region. He added that since 13 years ago, Saudi Arabia was the orientation for Chinese companies seeking business in the Middle East. He said China has contributed to a number of developmental projects in Saudi Arabia, calling for doing more and wishing the committee a success.
