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Spain's King Felipe to visit Saudi Saturday

By Hanadi Watfa

MADRID, Jan 13 (KUNA) -- King of Spain Felipe VI is set to visit Saudi Arabia on Saturday to boost bilateral ties and sign agreements with the Kingdom.
The visit is due to an invitation by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, which was already postponed twice due to the unstable conditions in Spain as the country was forming a new government.
The death of former Saudi Minister of Defense and Aviation Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud also led to further postponement.
The Spanish King is set to hold meetings with King Salman, Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Interior Mohammad bin Nayif bin Abdulaziz, and other senior officials.
Leading Spanish companies are anxiously awaiting the economic result of the three-day visit, hoping to boost their activity in the Arab World, and take part in Saudi's development plan 2030.
King Felipe will also learn of Saudi's investment opportunities, mainly in renewable energy, infrastructure, and communication engineering.
Spain is also eager to sign an agreement to sell five warships worth up to two billion euros to Saudi, built by Navantia Company. The deal will be the largest in the company's history and will provide jobs for over 2,000 people.
Meanwhile, King Felipe will chair a meeting for Spanish investors and another meeting for Spanish community in Saudi, estimated at 5,000 people.
Former Spanish King Juan Carlos has visited Saudi five times from 2006 to 2014, while the deceased Saudi King Abdullah bin Adbulaziz has visited Spain twice.
The two sides have 13 signed agreements and memorandums of understanding in defense, economy, health, avoiding double taxation, and other fields. (end) hnd.ag