Serbia, Saudi Arabia to expand economic cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Internal Trade and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic called on investors from Saudi Arabia to invest in Serbia’s economy.

Ljajic, who is on a visit to this country, spoke yesterday with Minister of Economy of Saudi Arabia Muhammad Al Jasser and announced that the Serbian government will shortly choose projects with which it will apply at the Saudi Fund for Development, in which there is interest in making joint investment activities in Serbia.

Al Jasser underlined that the establishment of diplomatic relations served for making a basis for the expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries.

He noted that construction industry, military-economic sector, pharmacy and tourism are the industries with special potential for further bilateral growth.

Al Jasser called on companies from Serbia to take part in construction projects in Saudi Arabia, since this country’s five-year economic plan envisages setting aside $350 billion for construction of various infrastructure facilities.

He also confirmed interest in admission of doctors of all specializations and nurses and technicians from Serbia in the medical system of Saudi Arabia, taking into account this country’s deficit in medical staff.

The meeting of Ljajic and Al Jasser was the first meeting of state officials of Serbia and Saudi Arabia since the two countries established diplomatic relations.

Ljajic will also meet with Prince Saud al-Faisal, who is the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.