Saudi Arabia and Malaysia are looking to boost trade and investment between the two countries, their governments announced on Thursday. On the sidelines of the World Trade Organization meeting in Geneva being held this week, Malaysia's International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said after meeting with Saudi's Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry Mohamed al-Khatiri that he was hopeful the two countries were on the right path toward increasing their relationship. “At the bilateral meeting, Mustapa suggested that the Malaysia-Saudi Business Council organize more familiarization programs for officials and businessmen from the two countries,” the Malaysian ministry said in a statement on Thursday. “Khatiri said that there are many opportunities for Malaysian companies to do business in Saudi Arabia, especially in the construction sector, as a result of the implementation of the government's extensive development program,” it added. According to the ministry, Malaysia's 2010 total trade with the ultra-conservative Gulf kingdom increased 38 percent from the previous year to $2.9 billion. Through October this year, that trade has already seen an increase, to a total of $3.5 billion. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/Q9RlB No related posts. Tags: Economy, Malaysia, Trade, WTO Section: Business, East Asia, Saudi Arabia