[중동 세일즈 외교]
Drive a car yourself and make a suggestion to Mr.
President’s Office “Show trust in future partners”
“Next time you come, I hope you can ride in a Hyundai electric car produced in Saudi Arabia.”
The Presidential Office announced that Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (pictured), the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, said this after picking up President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, in his Mercedes-Benz car on the 24th (local time).
Crown Prince Mohammed’s remarks are interpreted as expressing expectations about the electric vehicle production plant that Hyundai Motor Company plans to build in Saudi Arabia. With President Yoon’s state visit as an opportunity, Hyundai Motor Company and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund (PIF) signed a contract to build an automobile assembly plant in the King Abdullah Economic Complex through a joint investment worth about 400 million dollars (about 540 billion won). This is the first electric vehicle production base for a Korean company in the Middle East. Hyundai Motor Company aims to mass produce 50,000 units of electric vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles annually here starting in 2026.
An official from the Presidential Office met with reporters on site and said of Crown Prince Muhammad’s remarks, “It seems to be a sincere wish, not a joke.” He also said, “It contains the hope that the day will come when electric vehicles can be produced in Saudi Arabia through cooperation with Korean companies sooner than planned.”
Kim Eun-hye, Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations, emphasized, “The reason why Crown Prince Muhammad personally came to the President’s residence, personally drove the vehicle, and stayed by the President’s side throughout the event was ‘trust.’” “The leader himself showed that South Korea is the optimal partner in transforming the country (Saudi Arabia) into innovation and high-tech industries,” she continued.
On the 24th, Crown Prince Muhammad drove a Mercedes-Benz car for 15 minutes and went with President Yoon to the next event, the ‘Future Investment Initiative Forum’ (FII). Crown Prince Muhammad’s personal driving was unplanned. Prior to this, Crown Prince Muhammad made a surprise visit to President Yoon’s guesthouse and had a private chat for about 23 minutes.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.