U.S. Chamber Leads Delegation to Saudi Arabia

Meetings to Focus on Business Development in Solar and Nuclear Energy Sectors

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council (USSABC) organized a business delegation of senior executives from 20 leading U.S. clean energy companies to travel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) was a supporting partner.  From November 10 through 13, the delegation, led by Lionel Johnson, vice president of Turkey, Middle East, and North Africa Affairs for the U.S. Chamber, and Edward Burton, president and managing director of the USSABC, will meet with Saudi government and business officials to discuss shared goals in solar and nuclear energy development.

“With our first business delegation trip to the Saudi market, the U.S. Chamber is pleased to introduce U.S. companies to important emerging industries in the Kingdom, like clean energy, that offer strategic and economic opportunity,” said Johnson.  “This delegation trip will help position U.S. businesses to support the advancement and deployment of new technologies in Saudi Arabia and further expand bilateral commercial relations.”

Saudi Arabia is actively seeking to diversify its energy portfolio and partner with U.S. technology providers to meet the demands of its growing industrial base.  The country announced in May 2012 that it would invest $109 billion to build 41 gigawatts of solar energy by 2032 to meet one third of its power generation.  The Kingdom also announced that it would build 16 nuclear reactors by 2030.  Officials are currently formulating their nuclear development plan and application strategies.

SunPower Corporation and Exelon Generation Company, two companies participating in the trip, are serving as chairs for the solar and nuclear company segments of delegation.  Delegates will meet with Saudi Government agencies and institutions involved in power generation, conventional and clean energy, and water supply.  Meetings will provide a platform for companies to present their technologies and services to senior members of the Saudi government and network to explore opportunities with the private sector.

“The Business Council is pleased to collaborate with the Chamber to give U.S. companies an opportunity to showcase their advanced technologies and manufacturing capabilities in the renewable energy industry,” said Burton.  “There is a strong correlation between the products and services offered by U.S. companies and the needs of the Saudi market.”

The U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council is the premier organization that assists U.S. companies identify business partners in Saudi Arabia and helps Saudi companies identify trade and investment opportunities in the U.S. The USSABC has a membership base of 400 leading companies in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. For more information on the Business Council, please visit www.us-sabc.org.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.