Saharan African states. Such increase encouraged food companies in GCC countries to increasingly convert their interests towards the Red Sea basin in an attempt to expand their operations, secure supply lines and take advantage of African large markets that are rapidly growing. From this platform, therefore, I call on GCC businessmen to enter into genuine partnerships with their African counterparts, and I also call for such partnerships to be of interest to the concerned countries in order to facilitate the procedures in a way that achieves the common interests of both parties. Dear Audience, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has excellent relations with most African countries, which were clearly evident by the level of financial activity of the Saudi Fund for Development which largely covers the African countries in various areas, where 43 African countries benefited from the fund and 262 projects were funded by the Saudi Fund for Development. Other programs that strengthen the Kingdom's relations with African countries are the recent initiative which we made for agricultural investment outside the Kingdom, considering the African countries as a priority in this field. The private sector of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has actually invested in Ethiopia, and there are many other African countries where investment opportunities are currently studied. These were made in order to achieve human welfare and to remove the specter of famines, wars, diseases and epidemics from our countries and peoples. In conclusion, I wish the conference all success in achieving the desired expectations. May Allah's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you." --More
