- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Chinese companies exhibit in Riyadh
- Date: 19th December 2012
- Summary: VARIOUS OF SAUDI AND EGYPTIAN VISITORS BUYING ACCESSORIES
- Embargoed: 3rd January 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Industry
- Reuters ID: LVAAKUCY42T99ZG5B6DNZ2INSI14
- Story Text: A trade exhibition presenting Chinese goods opened in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday (December 18).
At the opening ceremony, China's ambassador to Saudi Arabia accepted that Chinese products are often perceived to be of low quality.
"There are many strong views on some of the poor quality Chinese products from our Saudi brothers. We in China, as a government, and embassy, and administrations really care about this issue. And a short while ago I spoke to the companies here, and told them simply that if you want to achieve large profits you need to follow the correct path, and if you want to occupy this valuable market, you need to export good quality products," said Li Chengwen.
Abdulrahman al Zamel from the Saudi chamber of commerce stressed that fake goods can be dangerous to consumers, especially where medical drugs or electrical products are concerned.
''Counterfeit products do exist and it is a big problem, and we need to start fighting it because it is very dangerous, especially when it concerns drugs, or electrical goods, or anything else really, what you buy is related to health. We're now working towards all this, with experts and global institutions in order to detect these things,'' he said.
Representatives of Chinese companies emphasized that their products could be valuable to Saudis.
"We are trying to establish Chinese good quality products here, we are trying to establish our brand image, and we are trying to give some good idea about our new products," said Joy Zhong from Chinese ceramic producers Oceano.
Others showcasing their products highlighted that the Saudi market could ultimately be a market they could tap into, especially with regards to solar energy.
Despite the concerns with the quality of products from China visitors seemed impressed with what was on display.
''Saudi people always look to Chinese products as poor quality products. This is due to some bad traders importing poor quality goods from China, while China has excellent and wonderful goods. I think this exhibition coming directly from China will build greater confidence," said Fahad al Ghanim.
"This is the first time I see such high quality Chinese products different from what we have become accustomed to in the market. There are a large number of beautiful exhibits and I hope that the citizens will come to get ideas about the products," said Ibrahim al Salameh.
The head of the Saudi-China business council said China was now Saudi Arabia's largest trade partner.
"The trade between the Kingdom and China has reached up to 64 billion U.S. dollars, China has become Saudi Arabia's largest trade partner in the world," Abdulrahman al Jairisi said.
As well as Saudi Arabia importing manufactured goods from China, China imports crude oil from Saudi Arabia. It is expected to buy about 1.17 million barrels per day (bpd) of Saudi oil next year, 120,000 bpd more than this year's contracted amount. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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