Dammam, March 17, 2022, SPA -- An Austrian commercial delegation, headed by Vice President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Richard Schenz, Wednesday visited the Asharqia Chamber in the presence of the Economic Counselor at the Austrian Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Christoph Pfeiffer, and representatives of several Austrian authorities and companies specialized in various economic, industrial, agricultural, tourist and other sectors, which have promising aspects for partnership with Saudi investors. First Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asharqia Chamber Hamad bin Al-Buali stressed the deep-rooted relations between the two countries and efforts exerted in the economic field between the two countries by stakeholders, which are envisioned to contribute to enhancing commercial exchange and further boosting economic ties between the two countries. Specialists from King Salman Energy City (SPARK) participated in the meeting and delivered a presentation on the city, which is considered an integrated industrial environmental system over 50 square kilometers and is witnessing development to become a leading gate for the regional energy sector in the future. During the meeting, Al-Buali pointed out that the economic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Austria are characterized by constant growth and strategic nature based on the cooperation foundations that aim at serving the interests of the two countries at all levels, especially that the volume of commercial exchange between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Austria has developed from around SAR 1.8 billion in 2005 to almost SAR 3.3 billion in 2020, compared to SAR 3.4 billion in 2019 and some SAR 3.9 billion in 2016, while Saudi Arabia is now the export destination and the main trading partner of Austria in the Middle East. Al-Buali noted that there is a growing keenness by the two countries to further advance bilateral relations spanning over more than 60 years. Members of the delegation are specialized in various sectors, mainly: real estate, architecture, medical technology, energy efficiency, renewable energy, the automobile industry, and entertainment. --SPA 12:56 LOCAL TIME 09:56 GMT 0009 www.spa.gov.sa/w1708448