Japan cancels business forum after Saudi cancels trip

TOKYO, Nov 18 (Reuters) – A business forum of Japanese and Saudi government and business leaders scheduled for next Monday in Tokyo has been canceled after a Saudi delegation canceled its trip, event organizer JETRO said. Cancel.

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih is among the delegations expected to attend the forum, JETRO officials said on Friday, without elaborating.

A separate Saudi-Japanese reception scheduled to be hosted by Arab News on Sunday was also cancelled, JETRO said.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters: “There is no decision on any visit to Japan by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.”

“Japan’s relationship with Saudi Arabia is crucial because they are important strategic partners. It is important that we hold a high-level visit between Japan and Saudi Arabia in the near future,” Matsuno said.

Hero held talks with South Korean President Yoon Hee-yeol on Thursday, pledging to strengthen ties in energy, defense and construction. During the visit, Saudi Arabia and South Korean companies signed investment agreements worth US$30 billion.

Prince Mohammed has arrived in Thailand for a state visit, state media reported.

The APEC summit kicks off Friday in Bangkok, Thailand.

Reporting by Yuka Obayashi and Sakura Murakami; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Tom Hogue

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Source link