JEDDAH, 10 January — A conference on investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia will be held in the United States next month to appraise American businessmen on the new investment atmosphere, the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI) which is sponsoring the gathering said.

Planned for Feb. 6-7 in Huston, Texas, the conference will be attended by Minister of Industry and Electricity Dr. Hashim Abdullah Yamani and Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar ibn Sultan, in addition to senior government officials. The governor of the General Investment Authority (GIA), Prince Abdullah ibn Faisal ibn Turki, will address the gathering through satellite from GIA headquarters in Riyadh.

CSCCI Secretary-General Osama Kurdi said the gathering would one of a series of forums planned by the council to highlight the investment atmosphere in the Kingdom and explain to foreign investors the opportunities available in the light of new regulations.

The United States is the largest trade partner of Saudi Arabia with Saudi exports to the US in 1999 amounting to SR37.2 billion. American imports to the Kingdom amounted to SR19.8 billion during the same period.

Kurdi expressed hope that the conference would help boost cooperation between Saudi and American businessmen on the long run. He said American businessmen are increasingly interested in investing in the Kingdom and transferring American technology to Saudi Arabia.

He cited industry, electricity, desalination and tourism as being among the main areas of investment opened to foreign businessmen in addition to sectors undergoing privatization.