King Salman Receives Princes, Grand Mufti, Ministers, Military Commanders

King Salman receives princes, the grand mufti, ministers and military commanders on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. (SPA)
King Salman receives princes, the grand mufti, ministers and military commanders on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. (SPA)
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King Salman Receives Princes, Grand Mufti, Ministers, Military Commanders

King Salman receives princes, the grand mufti, ministers and military commanders on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. (SPA)
King Salman receives princes, the grand mufti, ministers and military commanders on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz received at the Royal Court at Mina Palace on Tuesday a number of princes, the Grand Mufti, scholars, sheikhs, Gulf Cooperation Council senior invited officials, ministers and commanders of military sectors participating in this year's Hajj season.

The audience also included leaders of scouts in the Kingdom who are participating in the Hajj.

The guests came to greet King Salman and congratulate him on the Eid Al-Adha holiday.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, was also in attendance.

Addressing the gatherers, King Salman congratulated them on the advent of Eid al-Adha.

He added: “Allah Almighty honored this blessed country with the service of pilgrims and visitors of the Two Holy Mosques that allows them to perform Hajj rituals with ease. All efforts made to serve pilgrims are a source of pride for our country since its establishment by late King Abdulaziz.”

“The pilgrims and the whole world are watching your efforts in serving the pilgrims. This is your duty and an honor,” he continued.

“We are proud of the great sacrifices made by the military in defending our country and protecting its holy places. On this blessed day, we remember our martyrs and heroes who sacrificed their lives for their religion and homeland,” he added.

King Salman then threw a luncheon banquet in honor of his guests.



Saudi Industry, Mineral Resources Minister Begins Official Visit to France

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)
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Saudi Industry, Mineral Resources Minister Begins Official Visit to France

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, leading a high-level delegation from the industry and mining sector, began an official three-day visit to France on Monday, with scheduled stops in Paris, Marseille, and Toulouse.

The visit aims to strengthen bilateral economic ties and foster cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France in the industrial and mining sectors, as well as explore joint investment opportunities in key strategic areas that the Kingdom is prioritizing for localization, particularly the aviation and food industries.

Alkhorayef will hold a series of bilateral meetings with French government officials and leaders of prominent global French companies in the mining, aircraft manufacturing, and food sectors. The meetings will include discussions with Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Eric Lombard, as well as the CEOs of Airbus, Safran, Orano, Sidel, Lesaffre, and the Bel Group.

The agenda includes expanding joint cooperation in the industrial and mining sectors, attracting high-quality investments to the Kingdom, and building effective partnerships to leverage the promising opportunities offered by Saudi Arabia’s specialized industrial clusters. The Kingdom's incentives and capabilities available to investors will also be highlighted.

Alkhorayef's visit will feature tours of Airbus's aircraft manufacturing plants in Marseille and Toulouse, providing insights into their industrial facilities and production lines.

The visit is also expected to include the signing of memoranda of understanding with French companies to encourage joint investments, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and promote knowledge transfer in promising industrial sectors.

Saudi Arabia and France maintain strong economic relations, with Saudi non-oil exports to France exceeding SAR1.91 billion in 2024, primarily consisting of machinery and electrical appliances, organic chemical products, and aluminum and its derivatives. French non-oil imports reached SAR18.2 billion in the same year, with essential oils, electrical appliances, and pharmaceutical products among the most significant import sectors.

Alkhorayef's visit to France aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which emphasizes developing international partnerships to boost the competitiveness of the Saudi industrial sector and transform the Kingdom into a leading global industrial power. This includes localizing advanced strategic industries such as aviation and food, attracting high-quality investments, and facilitating the transfer of knowledge, technology, and innovation in these areas.