Saudi National Program to Drive Growth of Mineral Sector

Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the Cabinet session in Jeddah (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the Cabinet session in Jeddah (SPA)
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Saudi National Program to Drive Growth of Mineral Sector

Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the Cabinet session in Jeddah (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the Cabinet session in Jeddah (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef said that the National Minerals Program will be a strong and supportive tool to enhance the quality of supply chains, ensure continuity of supply to local industries and major projects, develop the country’s infrastructure, and achieve the goals of Vision 2030.

He noted that the program will play an effective role in advancing the growth of the sector and exploiting the mineral resources in the Kingdom.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Council of Ministers, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, approved the establishment of the program within the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, with the aim to raise the efficiency and adequacy of supply chains for current and future minerals, and enhancing their continuity in the region and the world, within the country’s efforts to maximize the value achieved from the sector.

Alkhorayef explained that the adoption of the program highlights the Saudi leadership’s endeavor to promote the sector.

He added that Saudi Arabia seeks to develop mineral value chains so that mining becomes the third pillar of the national industry, and to benefit from the Kingdom’s geographical location, which represents one of the most important major commercial intersections, supported by a wide base of advanced, integrated and diverse infrastructure.

The minister indicated that the program will work to fundamentally unify the main roles between the various parties, and fill the existing gaps to ensure the continuity of supply chains for minerals, as well as build local capabilities, contribute to exploration operations, and ensure the stability of supply to local industries and major projects.



Riyadh, Washington Bolster Strategic Space Partnership

US and Saudi national flags fly over a main road in Riyadh in 2017. (AFP file photo)
US and Saudi national flags fly over a main road in Riyadh in 2017. (AFP file photo)
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Riyadh, Washington Bolster Strategic Space Partnership

US and Saudi national flags fly over a main road in Riyadh in 2017. (AFP file photo)
US and Saudi national flags fly over a main road in Riyadh in 2017. (AFP file photo)

The Saudi Space Agency said that Saudi Arabia and the United States signed on Tuesday a strategic cooperation agreement focused on the exploration and peaceful utilization of outer space.
The agreement aims to enhance US-Saudi cooperation in the field of space and scientific exploration, increase joint investment in various commercial activities.

“The space sector in the Kingdom receives significant interest, support, and empowerment from the wise leadership, recognizing it as the next trillion-dollar economy and a sector that stimulates innovation and inspires generations," the Agency said in a statement.

"Through its ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to strengthen its position in the world of space and the industry of its technologies,” it stated.
The agreement outlines areas of joint work between the two parties, which include space and earth sciences, aeronautics, space missions, education, and many other areas of mutual interest.
Commenting on this step, the Chairman of the Saudi Space Agency, Abdullah Alswaha, stated that “the agreement represents a turning point in the Kingdom’s journey towards building a strong and prosperous space sector."
The CEO of the Saudi Space Agency, Dr. Mohammed Altamimi, underscored the significance of this strategic partnership in identifying areas of mutual interest and fostering collaborative endeavors.