Saudi businessman seeks Indian Knowhow

By agencies   |   Thursday, 17 March 2005, 20:30 IST
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MUMBAI: A prominent Saudi Arabian businessman, who plans to set up a pharmaceutical plant in Jeddah, is seeking investment and technology from India for the project. Citing huge market for medicines, Abdul Khaleq Saeed, the businessman, said he plans to establish a pharmaceutical factory in the Kingdom at a cost of Rs 660 crore. He said he was holding negotiations with Indian officials and investors to establish the plant. "We will discuss all aspects with the Indian side to establish the factory either by the participation of Indian investors or by transferring Indian technology," he told Arab News. Describing the new factory as one of the largest investment projects in the Kingdom, Saeed said he would cater to the growing demand for medicine as a result of population growth and the presence of a large number of expatriates. "The foreign investment law allows Saudi businessmen to enter into deals with international companies having vast experience to establish vital projects," he said. The pharmaceutical market in the Arab countries is estimated at $ 6 billion, of which the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region accounts for $ 1.6 billion. In the Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia market size is worth $ 1 billion, followed by the United Arab Emirates $ 350 million, Kuwait $160 million, Qatar $ 80 million, Oman $ 60 million and Bahrain $30 million.