(MENAFN- Arab News) The newly posted Belgian Ambassador Geert Criel told Arab News recently that despite Belgians professing a different faith and having a different culture Belgium shares the same values with Saudi Arabia.

'We both want the best for our families and our countries which brings us together' he said.

The envoy was speaking on the sidelines of the Belgium Business Club that he hosted at his residence last week. Representatives of various Belgian companies operating here and their Saudi counterparts were among those present.

The envoy said he was impressed by the dynamism of Saudi Arabia and the region. 'During my travels I meet business people academics and people involved in society who really have a vision and want to make a difference. I find this aspect impressive.'

He continued: 'I have noted all the initiatives by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in transforming this country into an advanced country creating stability in the region.'

Speaking further he said: 'In Belgium we have a Muslim community. So we understand what Islam is but in the end it is the shared values which bring us together.'

The envoy observed: 'Extremism exists everywhere but we reject any form of extremism. We have to look at what binds us rather than what separates us' he said adding his country along with Saudi Arabia and other partners of the coalition are fighting deviant ideology wherever it may be.

According to him Saudi Arabia is growing and it is important for Belgium. It is not only a market or a business partner but has evolved into something bigger. Because of the economic relations with the Kingdom there are more Belgian companies coming here to sell their products and also set up joint ventures. On the other hand there are more and more Saudi companies investing in Belgium he observed.

'We are developing a close rapport with Saudis' he said adding: 'I want to deepen our relations both in political and economic fields as well as in academics culture and education. We wish to see a student exchange program with our students coming to the Kingdom and Saudi students going to Belgium. We have to cooperate at all possible levels.'

He said that through a knowledge exchange and know-how Belgians could learn from Saudi society and he hoped that the latter would profit from Belgian companies.

He said that in this context a visit of a Belgian trade delegation was being organized which would visit King Abdullah Economic City next year.

According to him Belgium is involved in a number of construction projects in Jeddah and petrochemical ventures in Jubail. 'We look forward to participating in the construction of stadiums and other projects coming up in the Kingdom.'

Asked about the areas of cooperation he mentioned construction transportation health care food technology broadcasting and even cinema and theaters. 'Saudi Arabia is using the best technologies and we are offering the best in the world. Our trade volume is around between 3 and 4 billion euros' he noted.

Referring to the Belgium Business Club he said this club was launched recently with the aim to bring Belgian companies into the Kingdom and giving them an opportunity to present themselves through this sort of networking.