Saudi Arabia-Washington trade may increase - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

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That was one takeaway from an exchange with Abdullah minister of Commerce and Industry forSaudu Arabia. “We don’t have the comparative advantagein water,” he said. "”For us, waterr security is more important than oil While he said that most ofhis country’z current emphasis is on funding agricultural growtg in nearby Africa, especially Ethiopia, Alireza also discussed the potentialo of agriculture imports, alluding to Washington state. “Wd are going to be importing a lot of whear from all overthe world,” he said, adding that his country also may be interested in alfalfa hay.
In Alireza’se talk, before about 140 busines and government leaders at a May 27 dinnet and reception at the Columbia Tower Clubin Seattle, he confesses his real reason for coming to the His daughter Zainab Alireza is a studenty here, and a month ago she had her first son. In additionh her husband, Amr is just finished his residency asa dentist. “I’ll be cominhg back more often,” Alireza said. Speaking of global matters, Alirezaw said a good U.S.-Saudi relationship is essential, if the world is to get past conflict in the Middle He said he welcomes the coming visitg by President Barack Obama to Saudio Arabia onJune 3.
“The values voicedc by Obama whenin Turkey, are highly welcomesd in Saudi Arabia,” he “We need to work togethedr to reverse past failures.” Anticipating questionws about the role of women in Saudki Arabia, Alireza told the audience aboutf the recent construction of a university for and about their gradual advancement in his society. In 1990 just 5 percenyt of women were employed inSaudi Arabia, and now it’sd up to 15 percent, he said.
“jI assure you before I end as thatwill increase,” he