Prime Minister Harris Receives Delegation Of The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 16, 20222 (ZIZ) — On Wednesday, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris welcomed officials from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The group was led by His Excellency Ahmed Alk-hateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Saudi Fund for Development.

The purpose of Minister Alk-hateeb’s visit was to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s relations with St. Kitts and Nevis, and to seek the Federation’s support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo.

Saudi Arabia is among five other countries: Ukraine (Odesa), Italy (Rome), the Republic of Korea (Busan) and the Russian Federation (Moscow), vying to host the major event in 2030.

In brief discussions held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room, Prime Minister Harris thanked His Excellency and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for taking steps towards strengthening its relationship with St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider Caribbean region.

As it relates to its bid to host the 2030 World Expo, Prime Minister Harris said the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will thoroughly examine Saudi Arabia’s proposal, and those of the other countries, and in time, make an informed recommendation.

The prime minister also used the meeting with His Excellency Ahmed Alk-hateeb to reaffirm St. Kitts and Nevis’ interest in entering into a visa waiver agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the ease of travel for citizens.

St. Kitts and Nevis and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations on May 29, 2016