Qld: Beattie meets Saudi Prince

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2000
Qld: Beattie meets Saudi Prince

BRISBANE, April 10 AAP - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today met with Saudi royalty
in a renewed push to boost state exports.

Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Governor of Riyadh and brother of King Fahd of
Saudi Arabia, arrived in Australia on April 5 as a guest of the federal government and
visited Sydney and Canberra before coming to Queensland.

Since Friday, the Prince has been staying at the Gold Coast with his two sons and a
delegation of 60 representatives from Saudi Arabia.

Mr Beattie said it was the first time Queensland received such a high-level representation
from the Middle Eastern country.

Imports in 1998/99 from Saudi Arabia were worth $117 million, Mr Beattie said.

"So trade between Queensland and Saudi Arabia is very important and I will explore
what further trade opportunities are available to Queensland exporters," he said.

"HRH Prince Salman is a keen horse breeder and I'll be pointing out that Queensland
has a thriving racing industry."

AAP dn/sc/rs/br

KEYWORD: SAUDI BEATTIE

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.