German companies are interested in playing a strategic role in Saudi Arabia's proposed rail project, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said.
German officials look forward to the day when they will come to Saudi Arabia to witness the signing of contracts won by German companies in connection with the railway project, said Schroeder.
"The railway project merits such a visit. When you reach an agreement with German companies, please inform me, so that I will quickly come to attend the signing ceremony," Schroeder said.
The Saudi Arabian Government wants to build a railway network linking the east coast and the west coast.
Schroeder spoke at a ceremony in Riyadh yesterday marking the signing of three contracts by Saudi and German companies.
The contracts signed yesterday are worth 6 billion riyals (Dh5.87 billion) and they cover telecommunications and technology, health, petrochemicals and transport.
Schroeder also attended the inauguration of the exhibition "75 Years of Saudi-German Friendship" at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Khalid Al Gosaib, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Planning and National Economy and Abdul Rahman Al Jeraisy, chairman of the chamber, also spoke at the forum.
Riyadh and Berlin are working to reach an agreement eliminating double taxation, officials said.
They have also signed agreements establishing legal protection for joint investments.
Germany is prepared to help train Saudi youngsters and contribute to a solution to Saudi Arabia's unemployment problem, Schroeder said.
