GESALO ensures project continuity in Saudi Arabia

One of the challenges in the current COVID-19 crisis are the travel restrictions put in place by various countries. This has had a major impact on business operations in Saudi Arabia.

Critical infrastructure projects between German companies and Saudi entities have been affected by the travel ban. In order to ensure business continuity, the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO) has obtained special permission to bring a number of German experts back to the Kingdom.

More than 10 German companies responded to the call of GESALO and the German Embassy by registering their specialists, who are needed back in the Kingdom to ensure ongoing projects.

On July 13, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave GESALO and the German Embassy the green light to bring back the experts on the Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt on July 18.

The delegate of the German Industry Dr. Dalia Samra-Rohte said she is extremely thankful to the Saudi government for the generous opportunity, granting special permission and the tremendous support the various government entities have given.

“Working together with the respective Saudi government entities, Lufthansa and the German Embassy, was a great experience and we are very grateful for the fast and non-bureaucratic solution that was offered to us. It is another positive milestone in the bilateral business relationship and great support for the German companies in Saudi Arabia and their local counterparts,” said Dr. Samra-Rohte.

“It is a big honor for us to bring the first specialists back to Riyadh on our flight. Our special thanks go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the GACA, which made this flight possible,” said Peter Mosch, Lufthansa station manager.

Thyssenkrupp, a German multinational conglomerate with focus on industrial engineering and steel production, in a statement said it appreciates the efforts undertaken by the local authorities and GESALO to enable some of its specialists to re-enter the Kingdom in these critical times. “We see this as an important step on the path to having a more regular and frequent exchange of personnel between Germany and Saudi Arabia,” the statement said.

GESALO advises, supports, and represents German companies that wish to develop or expand their business activities in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Yemen. “We are very proud to make this important contribution to secure ongoing business processes and that we were not only able to support our German companies but also many Saudi Arabian project partners,” a press release said.

“Our whole team is very proud to have been a part of this massive mission.”