Premier Ewart Brown has been in Saudi Arabia conducting Government business this week, however it is not costing the taxpayer anything, his press secretary stated last night.

A press release sent out by the Premier's Office on Wednesday evening said Dr. Brown was in the Middle Eastern country with wife Wanda.

It said that on Tuesday evening the couple were the official honoured guests at the third annual Khalediah horse show, hosted by the Saudi Crown Prince outside Riyadh.

Yesterday, Dr. Brown was due to meet with Crown Prince Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, owner of the Elbow Beach Hotel. The Premier and his wife were leaving for the US today.

Dr. Brown was quoted in the release as saying: "Wanda and I were honoured to have been invited by His Royal Highness to this important event. Prince Khaled reminded us of his long association with Bermuda and seemed excited about the future of Elbow Beach."

The Premier's press secretary, Arnold Minors, answering questions about the visit last night, said: "He's not on holiday. It is a private, personal trip on which the Premier is conducting Government business.

The trip to Saudi Arabia did not cost the taxpayer one single dollar."