The Annual Gulf-African Conference (The Gulf and Africa ... A New Strategic Partnership) was concluded here today. The conference was attended by Saudi Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah bin Ahmed Zainal. At the outset of the conference, the Saudi Minister Zainal delivered a speech in which he highlighted the possibility of building a genuine partnership between the GCC states and Africa as well as the possibility of facing the financial crisis. Minister Zainal reviewed the procedures carried out by the Kingdom Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to enhance cooperation between the gulf region and Africa through the establishment of a number of economic cities and the development of ports in Jazan Region and Jeddah Province to facilitate trade exchange between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Africa, South Africa particularly. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the President of Gulf Research Center Abdulaziz bin Othman bin Saqr said that the Conference produced a number of recommendations, most notably the activation of the role of commerce chambers and the creation of joint work committees between the GCC countries and Africa.
