European Chamber of Commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh (2026)

09/08/2026

🇪🇺🇸🇦 Growing Momentum of EU-Saudi Economic Relations Highlighted in an Interview with Asharq Al-Awsat

The European Chamber of Commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (ECCKSA) is pleased to share an exclusive interview with Kristijonas Gedvilas, CEO of ECCKSA, published in Asharq Al-Awsat.

As ECCKSA marks two years of activity in the Kingdom, the interview reflects on the Chamber’s journey to date, from strengthening its sectoral committees and welcoming a new Board of Directors to inaugurating its new Riyadh office earlier this year, while continuing to deepen ties across the EU-Saudi economic corridor.

📊 The interview also highlights the strong momentum of EU-Saudi economic relations and the growing presence of European businesses in the Kingdom. In 2025, EU-Saudi trade in goods and services reached €88.8 billion, with EU exports growing at an average annual rate of 11% since 2021. The EU also remains the Kingdom’s largest foreign investor, accounting for 29% of total FDI stock, underlining the strength and long-term nature of this partnership.

As the unified voice of European business in Saudi Arabia, ECCKSA remains committed to strengthening bilateral trade and investment, fostering constructive dialogue between European businesses and Saudi entities, and supporting an enabling environment for sustainable economic cooperation in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

We thank Asharq Al-Awsat for the opportunity to share ECCKSA’s vision and commitment to advancing EU-Saudi economic relations.

🔗 Read the full interview | اقرأ المقابلة كاملة:

🇬🇧 English: https://lnkd.in/eAW63pzT

🇸🇦 العربية: https://lnkd.in/epwBFD69

20/07/2026

🇪🇺🇸🇦 ECCKSA Welcomes European Parliament Delegation

On Sunday 19 July, ECCKSA had the pleasure of hosting a high-level meeting with the EU Delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing together Members of the European Parliament and a group of ECCKSA members, on the margins of the 18th EU-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Interparliamentary Meeting held in Riyadh and Jeddah.

The discussion provided a constructive platform to exchange views on the activity of European businesses in Saudi Arabia, and on the opportunities to further strengthen the EU-Saudi relationship.

We were pleased to welcome the following Members of the European Parliament:
- Reinhold Lopatka, EPP, Austria 🇦🇹
- Abir Al-Shahlani, Renew, Sweden 🇸🇪
- Daniel Freund, Greens/EFA, Germany 🇩🇪
- Hana Jalloul Muro, S&D, Spain 🇪🇸

Following the exchange, ECCKSA members and the visiting MEPs were welcomed by H.E. Christophe Farnaud, EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for a reception at his residence, a further opportunity to deepen ties between European businesses and the EU institutional presence in the Kingdom.

We wish the delegation a productive continuation of their visit, and thank them for this constructive exchange.

15/07/2026

🤝 GCC-EU Strategic Partnership Strengthens Through High-Level Dialogue in Brussels

The 3rd GCC-EU High Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation took place this week in Brussels, bringing together senior GCC and EU officials, including H.E. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, and H.E. Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Building on a partnership that dates back to 1988, discussions focused on deepening consultation and coordination between the two regions on shared strategic priorities.

📌 On the margins of the forum, the EU and the Kingdom of Bahrain announced the launch of negotiations towards a Bahrain-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement, following a meeting between H.E. Kaja Kallas, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean H.E. Dubravka Šuica, and H.E. Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, a further sign of deepening GCC-EU ties.

🇸🇦 Forums such as this are a reminder of the importance of stable, well-coordinated institutional relations between the GCC and the EU, which underpin the trade, investment and cooperation frameworks our members rely on across the Kingdom and the wider region.

ECCKSA remains committed to supporting European businesses in Saudi Arabia and fostering closer economic ties between the Kingdom and Europe.

06/07/2026

On Thursday, 2 July, Aramco welcomed members of the European Chamber of Commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (ECCKSA) to an exclusive visit of the Aramco VIP Visitor Centre Exhibition at Aramco Tower in KAFD.

The exhibition provided participants with a unique opportunity to discover Aramco’s remarkable journey and gain valuable insights into its contribution to the Kingdom’s economic transformation, industrial development, and global leadership in the energy sector.

ECCKSA extends its sincere appreciation to Bandar Alkhamies, Vice President for Strategy Affairs, and his team for their warm hospitality, outstanding organisation, and close collaboration in making this exclusive visit possible.

Our members greatly appreciated this unique opportunity to engage with one of the Kingdom’s leading organisations and to deepen their understanding of Saudi Arabia’s energy sector and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions.

ECCKSA looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Aramco and to developing further initiatives that strengthen engagement between European businesses and key Saudi stakeholders.

29/06/2026

🇪🇺🇸🇦 EU-Saudi relations through the eyes of Europe’s top diplomat in the Kingdom

ECCKSA is delighted to share this exclusive interview with H.E. Christophe Farnaud, EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain and Sultanate of Oman.

🎙️ Hosted by Linda Al Faisal, founder of the podcast Linda and Vision 2030 and youngest presenter at the Joy Awards, this conversation offers an in-depth look at the EU-Saudi strategic partnership through the eyes of a European diplomat with deep regional experience.

Ambassador Farnaud reflects on what it means concretely to represent the European Union abroad, and how the diplomatic profession itself has evolved, its specificities, its demands, and what continues to make it one of the most compelling careers in international affairs.

He shares his confidence in Vision 2030 as a transformative model, highlighting the dynamism it generates and the real opportunities it opens for European businesses and institutions, including through ECCKSA, which he highlights as a very efficient institution to promote business between European and Saudi stakeholders.

He also outlines the sectors where both sides have the most to gain from deeper collaboration: AI, digital economy, tourism, transport, energy, emphasising the importance of building stronger frameworks to support these exchanges and drive business forward.

▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uQexIQoZBBE?si=DEAB9gIFOqbnB9Kj

25/06/2026

🇪🇺 EU Ambassador Hosts a Privileged Dinner with ECCKSA Members and Visiting EU Officials in Riyadh

On Wednesday 24th June, H.E. Christophe Farnaud, EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, graciously invited ECCKSA members to join an exclusive dinner at his residence, on the occasion of a high-level visit from Brussels.

The evening brought together senior EU officials: Ms. Hélène Le Gal, Managing Director for MENA at the European External Action Service, and Mr. Mathieu Briens, Managing Director for the Gulf at DG MENA, joined by Dr. Irina Gusačenko, Deputy Head of Mission at the EU Delegation to Saudi Arabia and Mr. Timo Hammarén, Minister-Counsellor and Head of the Trade Section at the EU Delegation in KSA.

ECCKSA CEO Kristijonas Gedvilas and representatives from some of the leading European companies in the Kingdom had the opportunity to share their ground-level perspectives in this privileged setting. The conversation was enriched by representatives from various key industries, such as Banking and Finance (BNP Paribas), Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing (Fives Group), Healthcare and Pharma (Novo Nordisk), Lighting and Electronics (Signify) ICT and Digital (Nokia), Logistics (DHL Global Forwarding), Geotechnical Engineering and Critical Raw Materials (Fugro Suhaimi Company Ltd.), and Rail and Transportation (Siemens Mobility).

Moments like this underscore the value of a structured European business platform in Saudi Arabia. ECCKSA’s role is to ensure that the voice of European companies - their experiences, challenges, and opportunities - contribute meaningfully to the policy and strategic dialogue between Europe and Saudi Arabia.

We are grateful to H.E. Ambassador Farnaud and the EU Delegation for making this possible.

24/06/2026

🤝 A Great Exchange with World Bank on Doing Business in Saudi Arabia
This week, our Board Members and Secretariat team were invited by the EU Delegation to Saudi Arabia to join a conversation with the World Bank team at their Riyadh offices, with Timo Hammaren and Mohammed Zakzouk representing the Delegation.
The discussion was a great opportunity to share insights and experiences on what it means to operate as a European business in the Kingdom today, from the opportunities emerging across key sectors to the evolving regulatory and investment landscape.
These kinds of exchanges are at the heart of what ECCKSA does: connecting the European business community with the right partners and fostering dialogue that supports a stronger, more dynamic EU-Saudi economic relationship. 🇪🇺🇸🇦

23/06/2026

🇪🇺🇸🇦 On Monday, 22 June, ECCKSA officially inaugurated its new offices in Riyadh - a milestone two years in the making, built on strong foundations, strategic focus, and the trust of a growing European business community in the Kingdom.

The inauguration was marked by addresses from H.E. Christophe Farnaud, EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Dr. Khalid Al-Sheddi, General Manager of Investor Relations at the Ministry of Investment, whose remarks underscored the strategic importance of ECCKSA as a bridge between European business and the Saudi market. They were joined by Timo Hammaren, Minister-Counsellor and Head of Trade at the EU Delegation, Economic and Commercial Counsellors from EU Member State Embassies, and ECCKSA’s Board members, members, and partners.

Having a dedicated space is more than a symbolic step. It signals ECCKSA’s long-term commitment to the Kingdom and its readiness to grow - as a structured platform for EU-Saudi private sector dialogue, policy advocacy, and business development across sectors.

ECCKSA was not built for its members; it was built by them. That is what makes all the difference. As we look ahead, we will continue strengthening our platform for European businesses, expanding our sectoral committees, and deepening cooperation with Saudi and European institutions. EU-Saudi economic relations have never been more strategically important, and ECCKSA is here to ensure European business is at the centre of that partnership.

A sincere thank you to the EU Delegation, which hosted and supported ECCKSA since its earliest days, and to the Ministry of Investment, whose engagement has been instrumental in helping European businesses navigate and invest in the Kingdom. And to everyone who has been part of this journey from the start - members, partners, and friends - this is as much your milestone as it is ours. 👏

If you are not yet part of our community, today is a good day to change that. Write to us at [email protected]

21/06/2026

🇪🇺🇸🇦 Interested in what we do? Here’s how to get more out of ECCKSA

Part of a global network of over fifty EU Chambers of Commerce, ECCKSA was officially launched in May 2024 as the first European Chamber in the Gulf region. Initiated by the European Commission and established by leading European companies, it provides a unified platform to represent European businesses in the Kingdom and foster EU-Saudi economic cooperation.

Not sure where to start? Here are two easy ways to stay in the loop:

📩 Our monthly newsletter covers the Chamber’s latest activities, sector highlights, upcoming events, and a curated monthly publication.
👉 https://eccksa.glueup.com/org/eccksa/subscriptions/

💬 Our WhatsApp community receives a weekly digest of EU-Saudi news and updates on what’s happening.
👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/IyuAOSuRZ6DIi9SXgpYXt7?mode=gi_t

But the heart of what we do is shaped by our members.

Through our sectoral committees and working groups, spanning Energy, Transport & Logistics, Healthcare, Legal & Taxation, and more, plus a range of cross-cutting activities, ECCKSA provides a structured space for European companies to engage with Saudi and EU stakeholders, contribute to policy dialogue, and build meaningful partnerships.

If you would like to explore membership and make sure you never miss what’s reserved for our members, reach out to our Secretariat at [email protected]. We’re always happy to walk you through our activities and explore where we can add value for your business.

09/06/2026

✅ That’s a wrap on an intense and rewarding week in Brussels for ECCKSA!
How can EBOs help drive European competitiveness? That was the central question at the heart of the EBO Worldwide Network 2026 Annual Conference, which concluded at the European Commission after five days of substantive engagement with EU institutions.
Over the course of the week, ECCKSA joined EBO representatives from around the world for meetings with European Commission departments, including DG TRADE, DG GROW, DG MENA, DG ENER, and others, as well as Commissioners’ cabinets, Members of the European Parliament, the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), and BusinessEurope. A rare and valuable opportunity to bring the voice of European companies operating in Saudi Arabia directly to EU policymakers, and to exchange best practices across the global network of EU Chambers of Commerce.
ECCKSA also had the opportunity to contribute to the programme, sharing insights on the Gulf region and the European business landscape in Saudi Arabia.
The week closed on a particularly positive note for EU-Saudi relations, with the election of our CEO Kristijonas Gedvilas to the EBOWN Board of Directors, a milestone that reflects the growing importance of the Gulf in the European business landscape.
A sincere thank you to the European institutions representatives for their warm welcome and their time, and to the EBOWN Board for an exceptionally well-organised week. 🇪🇺🇸🇦

European Chamber of Commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

09/08/2026

20/07/2026

15/07/2026

06/07/2026

29/06/2026

25/06/2026

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09/06/2026

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