Saudi Arabia (Trade)

HC Deb 24 July 2000 vol 354 cc448-9W

Mr. Sarwar

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the recent Scottish trade mission to Saudi Arabia. [129932]

Mr. Wilson

Trade missions organised by Scottish Trade International are the responsibility of the Scottish Executive. However, the recent trade mission from 16–26 June was STI's third trade mission to Saudi Arabia.

Nine companies participated in the mission from a range of sectors. The mission covered three centres in Saudi Arabia: the Eastern Province, Riyadh and Jeddah. It is too early to estimate the likely success of the mission, but both the British Embassy in Saudi Arabia and STI report extremely positive responses from the business community.