Trade relations between Saudi Arabia, Japan

The Saudi minister of planning Khaled al-Quseibi on Thursday in al-Riyadh discussed with the Japanese minister of the economy, commerce and the industry Takido Heranoma and members of the accompanying delegation means of increasing the volume of commercial exchange and joint cooperation in the area of laboratories, quality control, technical specifications and founding joint projects.

Worthy mentioning that Saudi Arabia is considered Japan's second trade partner after the US. Volume of trade exchange between the two countries in 1999 was almost 38 billion Saudi riyals and number of joint projects between the two countries was 37 at a capital of 18320 million riyals.

In a meeting with high ranking Saudi official in al-Riyadh on Thursday, the Japanese minister called for the possibility of reopening talks with the Arab oil company which has Tokyo as a headquarters concerning an oil exploration contract in the Saudi part of the neutral area the company had lost in the year 2000.

News reports quoted an official as saying in the ministry that the matter is now decided by Saudi Arabia to answer the request of the Japanese minister who currently visits Saudi Arabia in a framework of a tour on the Middle East which lasts one week.