Investment opportunities between the two nations are far from being properly explored. There are many areas for investment between Germany and Saudi Arabia that can be established. Germany has many companies who are specialists in the fields of logistics, engineering and vocational training. This speciality lies particularly with the SMEs, who are the backbone of the German economy. In the current economic situation, Saudi Arabia needs support in modernising its existing infrastructure and economy. In addition, the Saudi population is growing rapidly (60% are below 14 years old). This is a huge opportunity for human capital and requires investment in education. The Saudi government is devoting around 20% of its budget to education. In September 2009 the first university King Abduallah University for Science and Technology for postgraduate students will be open its doors in Rabigh. It will be a pioneer project in Saudi Arabia with top lectors and students from all over the world. This is beside the many private universities existing in KSA (about 13 private and 27 public universities).
German companies investing in Saudi Arabia:
SAP, Deutsche Bahn, Fraport, Linde, Herrenknecht
Joint Ventures between Saudi and German companies:
Daimler & Juffali, Siemens & Juffali, BASF & Kanoo, Bayer & Batterjee, BMW& Naghi, Fuchs & Alhamrani
Trade balance between KSA & Germany:
- Exports from Germany to Saudi Arabia:
Cars (17%), Machinery and equipment (15%), Chemical products (14%), Energy generation devices (5%)
- Imports from Saudi Arabia to Germany:
Chemical products (11%), Crude oil - natural gas (19%), metal and metal products (8%), machinery (7%)
- The trade balance between Germany and Saudi Arabia 4:1.
Treaties/agreements/others signed between KSA and Germany:
- Investment Protection
- Treaty Double taxation treaty for Civil Aviation
SIDF (Saudi Industrial Fund): This fund provides provisions of financial assistance in form of short-term loans to industrial investment beside technical administrative, financial and marketing advice. www.sidf.gov.sa
Visits by officials from both sides:
- Economic Minister Karl-Thedor von Gutttenbrg (CSU) visited KSA on a one-day visit
- Germany’s Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaueble (CDU) visited KSA on two days visit.
2011 Trade Fair in Germany Represented by (GESALO):
( To see past events (2011) , please download the file below )
Delegation of Saudi Companies to the most important exhibition for logistics, mobility, IT and supply-chain management transport logistic/Munich Trade Fair Centre
German Arab Business Forum in Berlin - special event.
"Middle East and Near East Forum" in Bavaria/Munich
Workshop-Sequel Export markets compact: States in the Gulf, Dresden
"Arabia Symposium" at the Chamber of Industry & Commerce in the city of Bielefeld
"Export Day of the State Bavaria 2011" in the city of Munich
Cultural Info:
Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany
Riad Diplomatic Quarter, Riad
Telephone: +0966-1-4880700
Fax: +0966-14880700
Ambassador: Dr. Volkmar Wenzel
Political Affairs: Dr. Detlev Wolter
Economic Affairs: Stefan Schneck
German Consulate in Jeddah
Al Basateen Village Jeddah Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966 2 699 64 36
Fax: +966 2 699 63 89
German cooperation Office
GTZ: P.O. Box 2730 Riyadh 11461 Saudi Arabia
Mr Roland Huehn
Phone: +966 1 4777936
Fax: +966 1 4790229
wernder.piefer@gtz.de www.gtz.de/en
German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs
Meezan Tower; Intersection of Olaya Main Street and Makkah Road 6th Floor
Riyadh 11575 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mr. Andreas Herrengroether
Phone: +966 1 462 3800
Fax: +966 1 462 8730
info(at)ahk-arabia.com
www.saudiarabien.ahk.de