RIYADH — One of the challenges in the current COVID-19 crisis are travel restrictions. This has also a major impact on business operations in Saudi Arabia. Critical infrastructure projects between German companies and Saudi entities are affected by the travel restrictions.

In order to ensure business continuity, the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO) has been able to evoke special permission to bring these experts back to the Kingdom.

Over 10 German companies followed the call of GESALO in cooperation with the German Embassy, to register their specialists, who are needed back in the Kingdom to ensure ongoing projects.

On Monday, July 13, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave GESALO and the German Embassy the green light to bring back the experts on the Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt on July 18.

The Delegate of the German Industry, Dr. Dalia Samra-Rohte together with the German industry is extremely thankful to the Saudi government for that generous opportunity, evoking special permission and the tremendous support the respected government entities have given.

“Working together with the respected Saudi government entities, Lufthansa and the German Embassy was a great experience and we are very grateful for the fast and non-bureaucratic solution that was offered to us.

“It is another positive milestone in the bilateral business relationship and great support for the German companies in Saudi Arabia and their local counterparts,” said Dr. Dalia Samra-Rohte.

“It is a big honor for us to bring the first specialists back to Riyadh on our flight. Our special thanks go to MOFA but also to GACA which made this flight possible,” said Peter Mosch, Lufthansa Station Manager.

Thyssenkrupp appreciates the efforts undertaken by the local authorities and GESALO to enable some of our specialists to re-enter the Kingdom in these critical times.

“We see this as an important step on the path to having a more regular and frequent exchange of personnel between Germany and Saudi Arabia.”

GESALO advises, supports, and represents German companies that wish to develop or expand their business activities in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Yemen.

“We are very proud to make this important contribution to secure ongoing business processes and that we were not only able to support our German companies but also many Saudi Arabian project partners. Our whole team is very proud to have been a part of this massive mission,” Dr. Dalia Samra-Rohte said.