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300 Saudi Factories Work in Full Capacity Despite Virus Crisis

Workers at a Saudi factory | Asharq Al-Awsat
Workers at a Saudi factory | Asharq Al-Awsat
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300 Saudi Factories Work in Full Capacity Despite Virus Crisis

Workers at a Saudi factory | Asharq Al-Awsat
Workers at a Saudi factory | Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) revealed that over 300 factories specialized in food and health products are working in full capacity, adding that despite the coronavirus crisis, these factories received industrial investment requests from China and Korea to produce vital supplies.

Engineer Khaled Al-Salem, Director General of MODON, said that 310 Saudi factories are working at maximum production capacity. The 310 facilities include 290 food factories and 20 medical factories located in 35 different industrial cities supervised by MODON.

Salem stressed that production is taking place alongside the implementation of all health precautions in cooperation with the Ministry the health.

During a virtual conference, attended by Asharq Al-Awsat, Salem explained that factories do not face any production challenges.

Despite the virus crisis, the industrial investment environment in Saudi Arabia remains attractive to foreign investors.

Salem revealed that two investment requests were put in by China and Korea, and they involve the production of commodities relevant to the current virus crisis.

He demanded that Saudi industrial investors benefit from the current period by heading towards foreign markets. He pointed out that the health and food sectors were among the most prominent industrial opportunities that were popular with investors even before the coronavirus fallout.

More so, Salem confirmed that MODON is making sure that preventative measures are being adhered to in industrial cities, noting that the number of laborers was cut back by 40% and offices were closed.

Factories now maintain operations remotely and under intensive field health preventative measures.

“The coronavirus crisis, whose severe negative repercussions became apparent in many countries around the world, revealed to us that we have a significant industrial base that can be relied upon in times of crisis,” Salem said.

He pointed out that MODON went on to implement approved incentives to encourage factories to continue their activities.

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Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
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Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)

The second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee to follow up on the Beijing Agreement was held in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi.

The Saudi and Iranian sides reiterated their commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement in all its provisions and their continued effort to consolidate neighborly relations between their countries by respecting the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international law. This includes respecting the sovereignty, independence, and security of states.

Saudi Arabia and Iran welcomed the continued positive role played by China and the importance of its support and follow-up on the implementation of the Beijing Agreement that was signed in March 2023.

China underscored its readiness to continue to support and encourage the steps taken by Saudi Arabia and Iran to develop their relationship in various fields.

The three countries welcomed the continued progress in Saudi-Iranian relations and the opportunities it provides for direct communication between the two countries at all levels and sectors.

They noted the great importance of these contacts, meetings and mutual visits between high officials from the two countries, especially in light of the current regional tensions and escalation that threaten the security of the region and world.

The officials welcomed the progress of consular services between the two countries, which allowed more than 87,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform the Hajj and more than 52,000 Iranians to perform the Umrah with ease and security during the first ten months of 2024.

They welcomed the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian joint Media Committee and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and the Institute of Political and International Studies of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Saudi Arabia and Iran additionally expressed readiness to sign a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). Along with China, they look forward to expanding cooperation among them in various fields including economic and political.

The three countries called for an immediate end to the Israeli assault against Palestine and Lebanon, condemning its attacks and violations of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They further called for the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid and relief to Palestine and Lebanon, warning that the continuing cycle of violence and escalation is a serious threat to the security of the region and world.

The three countries reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution in Yemen in line with internationally recognized principles under the auspices of the United Nations.