Argentine Ambassador to Riyadh Jaime Sergio Cerda has described Saudi-Argentinean relations as very good, adding both countries share similar positions in the United Nations and the G20.

In a statement to Arab News on the occasion of his country’s independence day on July 9, he said Saudi and Argentine officials plan to hold their fifth joint meeting in Riyadh this year to explore areas of common concern such as agriculture, trade, culture, energy, tourism, and business.

The Argentine envoy expressed belief the private sector should play a pivotal role in improving and advancing bilateral trade between the two countries.
Apart from official meetings, Argentine businessmen could have consultations with their Saudi counterparts, he noted.

He said though the Saudi-Argentina Trade Council has not been set up, the link among businessmen of both countries can be increased by benefiting from the experiences of chambers of commerce in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah as well as the work of the Arab-Argentine Chamber of Commerce.

On the volume of trade exchange between the two countries, he said Argentine exports to the Kingdom amounted to $ 355 million during the current year and covered items such as barley, chicken, steel tubes, and medicines whereas Saudi exports to Argentine, worth $ 29 million, included ethylene glycol, methyltert, polypropylene, and sulfur.

In this context, the envoy stressed the creation of a mechanism to implement agreements signed between both countries on economic cooperation, peaceful use of nuclear energy, among others. The envoy also highlighted his country’s tourism potentials and called on businessmen and tourists to visit Argentine and enjoy the country’s culture, traditions and historical sites.