Welcome to the Australia Saudi Business Council– the only bilateral Australian Saudi body that works for business, trade and investment across Australia and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is one of Australia’s largest markets in the Middle East with two-way goods and services trade totalling $2.14 billion. Saudi Arabia is also an important source of investment into Australia with in-excess of $4 billion worth of assets. As National Chairman I am proud to lead ASBC in this important time in the history of the Australia-Saudi relationship.

Australia and Saudi Arabia have long enjoyed a friendly relationship. This is underpinned by commercial ties and supported by shared membership in the G20 as well as Australia’s engagement with the GCC and OIC, which are both headquartered in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Jeddah respectively). Our people-to-people contacts are key to the ongoing success of this relationship and we are proud to host over 9,000 Saudi students at Australian education institutions.

With the G20 being held in the Kingdom in 2020, we believe that now is the perfect opportunity to deepen our relationship with Saudi Arabia. The progress that has been made in transforming the Saudi economy and society under Vision 2030 make Saudi Arabia an attractive business destination, and increasingly, an attractive tourism destination and will foster a deeper understanding of our people and cultures.

I strongly believe that Australia and Saudi Arabia have a lot to learn about and from each other. Our collaboration can make both of our societies more prosperous. And the opportunities for collaboration seem infinite.