Manama: The Deputy Chairman of the Saudi-Canadian Business Council Marwan Al Mutlaq said that a scheduled visit by a delegation from the Council to Canada to develop economic relations between the two countries has been cancelled.
In a statement to the local daily Okaz, he said that Canadian interference in Saudi domestic affairs would have a negative impact on the trade exchange between the two countries that has exceeded SR8.96 billion annually, explaining that Canada had been keen on investing in the Kingdom through increasing the number of its companies and expanding the commercial sector.
“Several large and well-known as well as medium Canadian companies operating in the kingdom will be affected by the decision. We had been working on opening up horizons and attracting small and medium companies to work in Saudi Arabia, and we have had 100 Canadian businessmen in the country in the last two years,” Al Mutlaq was quoted as saying by Okaz.
Canadians have a sizeable presence in the medical, information technology, military, food products and nuclear energy negotiations in the kingdom, he added.
Late on Monday, Saudi Arabian Airlines said it was suspending all bookings and flights to Toronto, Canada, starting next week.
“Saudi Arabian Airlines announces an immediate suspension of bookings on its flights to Toronto, Canada,” the company said in a statement. “The company will suspend all its flights to and from Toronto starting Monday, August 13.”
Issued tickets will not come under restrictions or extra fees if they are cancelled, re-issued or refunded.
“The company will work on finding alternative options for its clients who had booked seats on Toronto flights,” it added.
