Argentine VP arrives today

Argentinian Vice President Gabriela Michetti arrives in the Kingdom today at the invitation of the Saudi government, according to Ambassador Jaime Sergio Cerda. Michetti will stay in the Kingdom from Oct. 29 to November 1 for high-level discussions with the Kingdom's leadership.
“Vice President Gabriela Michetti will meet with Custodian of the Two Mosques King Salman and other top officials to explain Argentina’s economic policies,” the Argentine envoy told Arab News.
He added that his country’s economy is investor-friendly and that Argentina is in full support of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan. 
Cerda added that the vice president will also meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naïf as well as Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Argentinian Embassy is also arranging a meeting between Michetti and her country’s senate president, along with Shoura Council members headed by Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh.
“A meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir is also being arranged to discuss issues of common interest to the two countries,” Cerda said. He added that Michetti will also meet with top executives of local firms, decision makers and industry captains at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) to increase trade between the private sectors of the two countries. “On Monday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. Ms. Michetti is also expected to attend a forum on investment at the RCCI,” Cerda added.
He said that the visit is important and timely since the last time a top Argentinian leader visited the Kingdom was in the 90s, when then President Carlos Menem came for a visit in 1994, adding that the bilateral ties between the two countries were established in 1946.
“That means that this year we’re celebrating the 70th anniversary of Argentinian-Saudi bilateral ties,” he said.
Michetti, who will serve as Argentina’s vice president until 2019, will be heading a delegation comprising top officials from the Latin American country’s various ministries. The Argentinian envoy also said that, during the visit, customs issues between the two countries will also be discussed.
“We have confirmed agreements on certain areas but not on customs duties to ensure that negotiations on trade between the two countries are appropriately conducted,” he said. “Both countries know that we have to have some kind of a safety net as far as bilateral trade is concerned,” he said.

Source: Arab News