The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Italy signed an agreement aimed at further boosting relations in the fields of agriculture and agro-industries. Minister of Agriculture Dr. Fahd A. Balghunaim signed the agreement with visiting Italian Minister of Agricultural and Forestry Policies Dr. Giovanni Alemanno here yesterday. Speaking after the signing ceremony, Dr. Giovanni told newsmen that the agreement would open new areas of cooperation between the two countries. The agreement was a follow-up of the bilateral agreement on cultural, scientific and technical cooperation signed in Riyadh in February 1973 and the agreement on economic, industrial, technical and financial cooperation signed in March 1975. Dr. Giovanni said his country was very keen to import fresh dates from the Kingdom besides petroleum products. He told businessmen that there are ample opportunities in Italy for Saudi products, but they need proper marketing strategies in that part of the world. He invited them to participate in the international exhibitions that will be held in March and May next year to showcase their products and services. The minister also sought the assistance of Saudi officials to provide expertise in processing "halal" food. The agreement also aims to promote business ventures between the agricultural companies of the two countries and attract investment. Dr. Giovanni said that the agreement, which will be valid for five years, could be renewed with the mutual consent of the two parties at the end of its duration. On his part, Italian Ambassador Dr. Armando Sanguini said the agreement is a significant turning point in the Saudi-Italian agricultural relations.
