Korea-Saudi Ties See Qualitative Leap Forward

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relations next year

The following is a congratulatory message from Ahmad Al Barrak, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ― Ed.
The celebration of the National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the year 2011 comes while the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea are witnessing a qualitative leap forward. Both friendly countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relations in 2012. Thanks to the wisdom and the foresight of the of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has succeeded in absorbing and meeting the demands and aspirations of its people. Such achievements have been carried out through a package of economic and social policies declared by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, May God bless him. These policies were based upon the Kingdom's strive towards the continued development of the country-the renaissance march. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the great leader of reforms and change, has decided to place the Kingdom to the rank of world's top countries.
The bilateral relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea have been characterized by stability, consistency and significant development as a result of the bilateral summit talks held between the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and the late former President Roh Moo-hyun in the Saudi capital Riyadh during March 24-26, 2007. The bilateral trade volume has increased remarkably by 300% during the past five years. The number of Korean companies working in the Kingdom has exceeded to around one hundred.
Both countries have keen interests to expand mutual cooperation in various fields which have lead to the enhanced cooperation in the areas of culture and education. The Kingdom will be the fifth Guest of Honor for the Seoul International Exhibition to be held next year. The Republic of Korea is also invited to Saudi's Janadriyah Festivals- the largest cultural Festival in the Arab world- scheduled in 2012 as Guest of Honor. Furthermore, since the launch of a scholarship program initiated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and mutual visits of senior officials from both countries-among them are the recent visit of Saudi Minister of Higher Education H.E. Dr. Khalid Al-Anqari in October 2010-the number of Saudi students under the scholarship program to study in Korea have doubled. Such trend, without doubts, enhances rapprochement of cultures and peoples of the two countries.
The Republic of Korea is also one of Saudi's most important partners in term of global economic relations. Korea is a well developed country which has an amazing development experience. Around 100 joint ventures including industrial projects are currently being carried out in both countries while a number of other projects are waiting ahead. On the international level, there is wide room for coordination and joint efforts on various issues of common interests between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea, both being members of the G20.
It should also be noted that the investment environment in the Kingdom has topped the list of Arabic countries, according to the recent World Bank resources, ranking the Kingdom the world's 23rd in attracting foreign investments. In this regard, I would like to invite Korean businessmen and companies to participate in the process of Kingdom's development by joining hands with their Saudi counterparts in joint venture projects, and sustain the solid trade and economic relations between the two countries.
Both Saudi Arabia and Korea have a rich cultural legacy with unique histories and deep rooted customs and traditions. Both sides have great interests in the cultural cooperation. Exchanges of cultural and folklore delegations are made during cultural weeks, joint festivals and exhibitions, on a regular basis.
There are also various tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia. There are many relics of the ancient civilizations on Saudi lands and some of them date back to the B.C. era. One of the most famous of such civilizations is Madain Saleh (Al-Hajar) located in Saudi's north western region, Al-Faw in the southeastern area, and Najran in the south western area. There are also eternal Islamic relics in Mecca and Medina, as well as coastal cities like Jeddah in the western Kingdom, facing Red Sea, and Dammam in the eastern Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom also has many superb natural landscape such as Al-Taief and Abha located on tops of Mountain Al-Hijaz and Mountain Asir. Those scenic mountain regions are also famous for moderate climate. Located in Riyadh, Musmak Fort represents one of important historical landmark in Saudi Arabia as it embodies the beginning of the blessed efforts to unify the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It should be noted with great significance that there are programs to exchange experiences between Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea to promote tourism industry and to get lessons from Korea's experience to run and promote exhibitions, festivals, and international conferences.
Lastly, I pray for Almighty God to grant success to the leader of the renaissance march, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, may God protect them, for their tireless efforts to promote the Kingdom to the highest position and to make the Kingdom's people more happier. I may also pray for God every success in carrying out my missions and enhancing the distinguished between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the friendly Republic of Korea nw

Discover Riyadh

Riyadh is the meeting place for the nation and the capital of the Kingdom. It is characterized by its geographical location since it is located in the central part of the Kingdom. It is home for the government and all governmental divisions and major companies as well as foreign embassies in the Kingdom.
Riyadh encompasses the biggest universities and scientific institutes, and is characterized by the hundreds of entertainment centers and historical sites scattered within the area.
Al Riyadh unites between modernity and the past by high modern buildings and architecturally unique constructions.
A high quality infrastructure is found in a large number of its quarters. A circular network of roads is available which links the whole city together along with highways that link it to the rest of the areas. A huge airport is located to the north east of Al Riyadh.
Al Riyadh hosts the most important of gulf, Arab and International conferences on a regular basis. Hundreds of exhibitions and conferences known internationally are also held there, such as:

-Medical Conferences: (ophthalmology, dental, and medical equipment)
-Jaytex Exhibition
-International Book fair
-International motor show

Al Riyadh includes a host of prominent shopping malls where the best international brands are available.

Korea Invited as Guest Honor to Janadriyah Festival

The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has invited the Republic of Korea as Guest of Honor to its Janadriyah Festival, or Al Janadriyah Heritage and Cultural Festival, scheduled to be held in Janadriyah in February, 2012. Every year since 2008, a different country has been invited as the Guest of Honor to the Festival.
Al Janadriyah Heritage and Cultural Festival is the name of the annual national Festival that celebrates the vibrant cultural treasures of Saudi Arabia. The locality called Janadriyah, situated 45 kilometers outside Riyadh, is the hotspot where all the action takes place. One of the oldest of its type Al Janadriyah Heritage and Cultural Festival brings out all the colors of Saudi Arabia in an aesthetic way.
Arranged by the Kingdom of Riyadh, the largest cultural Festival in the Arab world is a meeting point of all the aspects of art and literature in the Arab world with all its magnitude and expressions. Literatures, beautiful poetry, drama, intellectual discussions, music- all of them come in full bloom in this event. These activities serve two purposes at the same time- educating the mass about the richness of the folk arts and entertaining them with the performances.
Apart from this, the other main attraction is the camel race that invites thousands of spectators. Although it may seem to be a hardcore entertainment, the way the camels are handled and navigated speaks volumes about the art and the skill involved.
Surely the Festival is a perfect medium to get the essence of Saudi Arabia in a nutshell.

His Excellency Ahmad Al Barrak, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,

His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques off the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Photo on Courtesy of Saudi Arabia Embassy