US Consul General's Remarks at the American-Saudi Arabian Culture & Commerce Festival - Taif
A Message from US Consul General Martin Quinn on the Inauguration of the American-Saudi Arabian Culture & Commerce Festival in Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
This festival would not have been possible without their generous support.
On behalf of the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah, it is my great pleasure to inaugurate the American-Saudi Arabian Culture and Commerce Festival here in Taif. Indeed, today is a day for celebration. This event is the culmination of our combined American and Saudi efforts to organize a festival here in Taif region to showcase the diverse culture and commerce of the United States and its strong partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I’d like to recognize some of these efforts.
First, I would like to acknowledge His Royal Highness Prince Khaled ِِِِAl-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Mecca Region, for giving inspiration to the first Culture and Commerce festival in Abha two years ago when he was Governor of Assir.
I would like to thank his Excellency Fahad Bin Abdulaziz Al Moa’ammer, Governor of Taif, for joining me to inaugurate this festival and for his steady support.
The Taif Tourism Commission, headed by Dr. Mohammed Qary and his staff who have been instrumental in ensuring the success of this event.
I would like to offer my appreciation and compliments to the Taif Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by Chairman, His Excellency Mr. Naif Bin Abdullah Al Edwani, and Secretary General, Mr. Salah AL Haddad, for their wonderful cooperation in organizing, hosting and participating in the this festival.
I am also grateful to the sponsors, particularly the Intercontinental Hotel represented by Mr. Salem Al-Baragi
Hawker Beechcraft represented by Husam Andijani.
Balubaid Automotive represented by Sh. Ahmed O Balubaid.
Orient Provision Trading Company represented by Ali Abdullah Hilal Al-Ghamdi.
APSCO/Mobil1 represented by Mohamed Ali Ibrahim Alireza.
SIPCO represented by Ahmed Mansur.
This festival is special in many ways. It allows us to draw attention to the cultural and commercial ties between our two countries, and that is something we all can be proud of. Equally important, however, is that it gives us—Americans and Saudis—a wonderful opportunity to work closely together on a cooperative project for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of Taif. This festival exemplifies how constructive the relationship between our two countries can be when we come together to share ideas.
The longstanding ties between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have always been based on common interests and mutual respect and built on decades of cooperation and trust. The relationship between our two countries has a rich past. When I see the many ways in which the United States and Saudi Arabia are working together today in the Kingdom’s Western region—and this festival is a perfect example—I feel certain that the future of our friendship is brighter than ever.
Our two peoples share common concerns for security, economic prosperity and sustainable physical and social development. We stand with our friends in rejecting terrorism and countering intolerant extremism with a commitment to peace and mutual understanding.
In the spirit of this commitment and under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Kingdom is providing new and greater opportunities for young people to develop their skills in preparation to lead your great Arab nation into the future. The King Abdullah Scholarship Program—which enables young people to study in America and elsewhere—is expanding educational exchange between our two countries. When young Saudi men and women from Saudi Arabia study at colleges and universities in the U.S., they discover the American people and culture. At the same time, the very students provide Americans an opportunity to discover Saudi Arabia, its history and its people. In the end this sharing builds trust and understanding.
Business is another central part of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. For more than 40 years, America has been Saudi Arabia's largest trading partner, and the Kingdom is the largest market for American products in the Middle East. In 1970, bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. was $160 million. Today, U.S.-Saudi trade totals more than $67 billion. The Western region plays a vibrant role in this commercial relationship.
American companies are also the Kingdom's leading joint venture partners. Currently, U.S. and Saudi partners are engaged in approximately 360 projects valued at more than $20 billion. The U.S. is also the leading foreign direct investor in Saudi Arabia, accounting for more than 25 percent of the Kingdom’s total inward Foreign Direct Investment.
Here in the Western region of the Kingdom, the U.S. Consulate General is working in active partnership with local and regional government, businesses educational and cultural institutions, and community organizations to promote exchange of all kinds. From Najran and Jizan in the south to Tabuk in the north, and of course throughout Taif, our two countries are developing programs and projects that benefit Saudi Arabia’s Western region and reflect the shared interests upon which our friendship is founded.
In conclusion, our rich, local U.S.-Saudi Arabian partnership is what we are really celebrating tonight. After all, this American – Saudi Arabian Culture and Commerce Festival in Taif would not have been possible without a shared commitment on both sides. This partnership makes it a great honor to represent the United States of America in your region of the Kingdom. Therefore, I thank you for your wonderful hospitality in welcoming us to Taif, and I hope this festival strengthens the friendship between the U.S. Mission and the people of Taif.
