Saudi Industry Minister Concludes Tunisia Visit

Saudi Industry Minister Concludes Tunisia Visit. (SPA)
Saudi Industry Minister Concludes Tunisia Visit. (SPA)
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Saudi Industry Minister Concludes Tunisia Visit

Saudi Industry Minister Concludes Tunisia Visit. (SPA)
Saudi Industry Minister Concludes Tunisia Visit. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef concluded his visit to Tunisia, where he led the Kingdom’s delegation to the 11th session of the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee, SPA said on Thursday.
During his visit to Tunis, Minister Alkhorayef co-chaired the Saudi-Tunisian Investment and Partnership Forum and held meetings with top officials in Tunisia, including President Kais Saied.
At Carthage Palace, Alkhorayef met with President Saied to discuss expanding cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. The aim is to fulfill the interests of both countries, strengthen their bonds, and leverage the promising opportunities in various sectors.
The minister also met with Tunisian Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani at the Government Palace in Tunis to explore ways of enhancing cooperation between the Kingdom and Tunisia. They reviewed opportunities for mutual development, especially in vital sectors such as industry, tourism, and investment, and the advantages that stimulate investors in both countries.
During the 11th session of the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee, Alkhorayef delivered a speech highlighting the Kingdom’s aspiration to become an effective partner in Tunisia’s economic mobility. He emphasized the exploration of investment opportunities and collaboration with the private sector to achieve the objectives of both countries, contributing to the growth of trade exchange.
On the sidelines of the committee session, Alkhorayef and Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia, Minister of Finance and Interim Minister of Economy and Planning, signed seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in various fields to enhance cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
Alkhorayef and Nemsia, who chaired the Tunisian delegation at the committee session, discussed enhancing cooperation and leveraging investment opportunities in both countries.
Alkhorayef chaired a meeting for the Tunisian-Saudi Business Council, attended by many Saudi and Tunisian businesspeople.
Meanwhile, Alkhorayef highlighted the availability of great opportunities for enhancing a comprehensive partnership with Tunisia while participating in the Saudi-Tunisian Investment and Partnership Forum. He underscored the advantages and unique capabilities enjoyed by both countries, including their excellent geographical location and the sustainable development vision of their leadership.
During the forum, the minister further highlighted the vision of both leaderships about achieving economic diversity, especially in industry, renewable energy, and agriculture, and increasing trade exchange and exports. Alkhorayef shed light on the natural resources that both countries should use to enhance their cooperation.
Alkhorayef also explored avenues of collaboration in a meeting with Abdel Monem Belati, Tunisian Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fishing. They discussed signing an MoU to develop cooperation in the water field.
Alkhorayef’s visit also included a meeting with Kalthoum Ben Rejeb, Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development, to discuss opportunities to increase bilateral trade exchange and boost Saudi non-oil exports to Tunisia, including industrial products and minerals.
Additionally, Alkhorayef met with Ahlam Al-Baji Al-Sayeb, responsible for the Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy, to discuss expanding cooperation in the industry and mining sectors and encouraging private sector investments.
The Industry Minister’s visit to Tunisia deepened the strategic partnership, activated cooperation mechanisms, and enhanced investment opportunities between the two countries.



GCC Renews Mandate of Jasem Albudaiwi as Secretary-General

Secretary General of GCC’s Council, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of GCC’s Council, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
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GCC Renews Mandate of Jasem Albudaiwi as Secretary-General

Secretary General of GCC’s Council, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of GCC’s Council, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Sunday renewed the appointment of Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi as its Secretary-General for another three years, starting February 1, 2026.
“The decision is in appreciation of Albudaiwi’s great efforts and effective contribution to strengthening the Council's progress, wishing him success in his duties during the coming period,” said the final statement issued during the Council’s 45th session, held in Kuwait.
Albudaiwi officially assumed the role of Secretary General on February 1, 2023, succeeding Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al Hajraf.
Before his appointment in 2023, Albudaiwi was ambassador of Kuwait to the United States.
He was born on February 22, 1968, and earned a Diploma in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Oxford in 1993. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, which he completed in 1991.
Throughout his career, he held several prominent positions, including Kuwait's Ambassador to the US from 2022 to 2023. He also served as non-resident Ambassador to Luxembourg (2017-2022), Head of Mission to the European Union (2017-2022), Head of Mission to NATO (2016-2022), Ambassador to Belgium (2016-2022), and Ambassador to South Korea (2013-2016).
Albudaiwi is the seventh Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which was established on May 25, 1981.
Kuwaiti Abdullah Bishara served as the Council’s Secretary-General from 1981 to 1993, followed by the UAE’s Fahim Al-Qasimi (1993-1996), Saudi Arabia’s Jamil Al-Hejailan (1996-2002), Qatar’s Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah (2002-2011), Bahrain’s Abdullatif Al-Zayani (2011-2020), and Kuwaiti Nayef Al-Hajraf (2020-2023).