Minister Of Industry And Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef Initiates Official Visit To France For Economic Cooperation

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef is leading a high-level delegation on a three-day visit to France. The trip includes stops in Paris, Marseille, and Toulouse and aims to enhance economic ties between Saudi Arabia and France. The focus is on cooperation in the industrial and mining sectors, as well as exploring joint investment opportunities in aviation and food industries.

During his visit, Alkhorayef will engage in bilateral meetings with French officials and leaders from major companies. Discussions will include Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Eric Lombard, alongside CEOs from Airbus, Safran, Orano, Sidel, Lesaffre, and the Bel Group. These talks aim to expand cooperation in industry and mining while attracting quality investments to Saudi Arabia.

The agenda also includes showcasing Saudi Arabia's incentives for investors. The Kingdom offers promising opportunities through its specialized industrial clusters. Alkhorayef's visit aligns with Vision 2030 objectives to boost international partnerships for enhancing competitiveness in the Saudi industrial sector.

Alkhorayef plans to tour Airbus's manufacturing plants in Marseille and Toulouse. These tours will provide insights into their facilities and production processes. Additionally, memoranda of understanding are expected to be signed with French companies. These agreements aim to encourage joint investments and promote knowledge transfer in key industrial sectors.

Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports to France exceeded SAR1.91 billion in 2024. These exports mainly consist of machinery, electrical appliances, organic chemical products, and aluminum derivatives. Meanwhile, French non-oil imports reached SAR18.2 billion that year, with essential oils, electrical appliances, and pharmaceuticals being significant import sectors.

Vision 2030 Objectives

The visit supports Vision 2030 goals by focusing on localizing strategic industries like aviation and food within Saudi Arabia. This initiative seeks to attract high-quality investments while facilitating technology transfer and innovation in these areas.

The collaboration between Saudi Arabia and France is set to strengthen further through this visit. By building effective partnerships, both countries aim to leverage opportunities offered by Saudi Arabia’s industrial clusters.

This official visit underscores the commitment of both nations to foster economic growth through strategic partnerships. By enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as industry and mining, they aim to create a robust foundation for future collaborations.

With inputs from SPA