Riyadh, Mar. 14, 2022, SPA -- The first European-Saudi trade forum for investors in the camel sector kicked off today in Riyadh, with six companies from Belgium and Luxembourg specializing in health, events and horses, sharing their investment capabilities and opportunities with the International Camel Organization and the Camel Club. The forum witnessed the attendance of businessmen and owners from the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and employees of the Chambers of Commerce. Addressing the audience, the Head of the Investment Sector in the Camels Club Mohammed Al-Yami, confirmed that the camel sector has seen during the past period qualitative leaps, great development and distinguished achievements showcased in various activities, including the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival 6. The event witnessed a great competition among more than 40,000 camels, and participation of 2,000 owners who competed for prizes amounting to SR250 million, creating agreat movement in the markets as well as opportunities for investment in this sector, valuing to SR50 billion inside the Kingdom. Al-Yami expressed the Camel Club’s aspiration for larger cooperation and exchanging experiences and ideas with the European side, and using the latest technologies to advance this vital sector, adding that the forum aims to develop partnerships between the Belgian and Saudi private sectors in various camel- related activities. The director of the Middle East region at the Arab-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce Quentin Ladriere noted that the investment team is aware of the size of opportunities in Saudi Arabia, including working in new and promising sectors such as camels, adding that Belgium and Luxembourg have the creativity and age experience which can offer to size cooperation with Saudi Arabia. He highlighted that interested companies in Belgium and Luxembourg are looking to join the Saudi market, as they are specialized in health care for large animals, veterinary cell therapy, and camel food, as well as companies specializing in organizing events. The attendants watched an introductory video presentation about the International Camel Organization and the Camel Club, after which representatives of the six companies gave presentations on their activities in areas related to animal husbandry, care, food and health operations, as well as entities with activities in building and organizing entertainment sector events. Several camel owners and representatives of European companies were engaged in a discussion on the sidelines of the event on issues related to the camel-derived industries and the food and veterinary sector. --SPA 23:49 LOCAL TIME 20:49 GMT 0035 www.spa.gov.sa/w1706230