Saudi, Egyptian Private Sectors Linked to Revitalize Business

 The Saudi-Egyptian Joint Committee had recently held its 17th session in Cairo, SPA
The Saudi-Egyptian Joint Committee had recently held its 17th session in Cairo, SPA
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Saudi, Egyptian Private Sectors Linked to Revitalize Business

 The Saudi-Egyptian Joint Committee had recently held its 17th session in Cairo, SPA
The Saudi-Egyptian Joint Committee had recently held its 17th session in Cairo, SPA

Official information revealed a new directive issued by the Federation of Saudi Chambers called on the private sector to view an e-guide for members of the Egyptian Businessmen Association in a step to facilitate communication between the two parties.

Saudi Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi had confirmed that Saudi Arabia aims to be the first trading partner for Egypt during the next five years.

He noted that there are 6,200 Saudi companies in Egypt with investments exceeding $30 billion, in addition to the presence of 274 Egyptian brands and more than 574 companies in Saudi markets.

According to the information, the latest step comes within the framework of the continuous cooperation between the two countries to enhance trade relations and revitalize business between Egyptian companies and their Saudi counterparts.

Therefore, the Egyptian Businessmen Association, a “non-governmental and non-profit entity,” launched an e-directory that includes detailed data for its members.

The Saudi-Egyptian Joint Committee in Cairo had recently held its 17th session, co-chaired by Al-Qasabi and Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Neveen Gamea in the presence of government officials representing various sectors in the two countries.

During his speech at the inauguration ceremony, Al-Qasabi conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HPrince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, commending deep-rooted relations between the two countries that are based on the bonds of religions, fraternity, dialogue, history and joint interests of both countries.

Minister Al-Qasabi said that the committee is an extension of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on the importance of joint action to further enhance brotherly ties, boost cooperation, and move to a higher level, noting that the Saudi-Egyptian Joint Committee is one of the active committees between the two countries that has been held annually, except in 2020 due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

He also expressed aspiration for these meetings to enhance trade between the two countries, where the total trade volume in 2020 amounted to $8 billion, down by 15% when compared to 2019 due to the repercussions of the pandemic on global economies, reiterating that what matters now is to enhance the post-pandemic bilateral cooperation to boost economic cooperation and benefit from opportunities generated from the pandemic, as well as protecting investments in the two countries.

Al-Qasabi also expressed appreciation to Gamea and members of the technical teams for their efforts and their keenness to discuss all that can enhance cooperation between the two countries in all fields in a bid to push forward this cooperation until reaching fruitful outcomes to serve joint interests.



Deputy Minister of Industry: Saudi Arabia to Establish International Frameworks for Sustainability in Mining Sector

Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
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Deputy Minister of Industry: Saudi Arabia to Establish International Frameworks for Sustainability in Mining Sector

Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)

Saudi Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer revealed that spending on exploration in Saudi Arabia’s mining sector has seen a significant rise, increasing from approximately SAR 100 million ($26.6 million) in 2018 to over SAR 500 million ($133.3 million) annually.

Al-Mudaifer stated that these funds are being invested in local service companies, including drilling and laboratory services, as well as employing Saudi and international professionals.

The deputy minister made these remarks during a press conference held to unveil details of the fourth edition of the International Mining Conference, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from January 14-16.

Al-Mudaifer described the conference as a key platform for addressing challenges in the mining sector and finding practical solutions. The event will host representatives from 85 countries, including mineral producers and consumers, alongside over 50 international organizations, trade unions, and community organizations.

The conference will feature more than 75 sessions with over 250 speakers, including ministers and senior local and international officials, covering pressing topics such as project financing, promoting future mining zones, the role of minerals in community development, and the impact of technology on the sector.

Al-Mudaifer emphasized Saudi Arabia’s ambition to establish international cooperation frameworks in mining, driven by its historical significance and geographic location as a trusted energy supplier. He highlighted the need for a unified global effort to address the sector’s growing challenges, including insufficient exploration spending, which currently falls short of the level required to achieve sustainable growth.

The deputy minister noted that increased exploration investment, technological innovation, and attracting further investment are essential for overcoming these challenges. Despite these obstacles, he remains optimistic, citing the rising global demand for minerals as a significant economic growth driver.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing significant opportunities in mining, particularly in exploration. Al-Mudaifer pointed out that new mineralized zones, covering areas between 2,000 and 4,000 square kilometers, have been announced for 2024—a tenfold increase compared to 2023.

Previously, only 1,000 square kilometers were allocated annually for exploration, but this year, approximately 10,000 square kilometers were offered, he remarked. Several major international companies have entered the latest investment competitions, committing to exploration spending, employing young Saudi geologists, and supporting local communities near exploration sites.

Investments and Regulatory Advancements

According to Al-Mudaifer, Saudi Arabia has seen substantial investments in the mining and minerals sectors, particularly in iron, aluminum, electric vehicle batteries, copper, and chemicals. Current investments exceed SAR 120 billion ($32 billion) and are projected to reach SAR 300 billion ($80 billion) by 2035.

He also noted that the Kingdom, is one of the fastest-advancing countries in developing mining regulations and infrastructure. This progress is attributed to the comprehensive strategies under Saudi Vision 2030, which seek to position the Kingdom as a global leader in all sectors, with a strong focus on sustainability.

Aramco Fields

Al-Mudaifer disclosed that Saudi Arabia successfully extracted lithium from brine samples in Aramco’s fields and is planning to launch a commercial pilot program for direct lithium extraction soon. The project will be led by Lithium Infinity (LihyTech), a startup from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with Aramco and the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden).

Sustainable Development

Ali Al-Mutairi, General Supervisor of the International Mining Conference, stated that inclusivity will be a cornerstone of the event, which aims to bring together all stakeholders in the global mining industry, including governments, international policy-making organizations, NGOs, and investors with the financial capacity to support major projects.

One of the primary goals of the sector, he added, is to foster community development, aligning with the focus of rights of organizations on environmental sustainability and talent development to create job opportunities and promote sustainable growth.

Global Networks

The upcoming conference will spotlight G20 nations and other resource-rich countries, drawing participation from 85 nations and various organizations, including UN-affiliated ones.

A notable new event on the conference’s sidelines will be a meeting of global centers of excellence and technology to establish a regional and international network aimed at building human capacity, accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies, and transferring expertise from developed to less-developed countries.

The conference will also introduce the Investment Pathway, a two-day program designed to address one of the mining industry’s critical challenges: financing, particularly for early-stage exploration projects.

Knowledge Exchange

The accompanying three-day exhibition will focus on modern mining technologies, Al-Mutairi said, adding that it will feature national pavilions from leading mineral-producing countries, including Australia, Canada, Brazil, and India, fostering technological and knowledge exchange.

For the first time, the conference will host a Knowledge Exchange Day, providing a dedicated platform to share the latest developments in mineral information, geology, technology, sustainability, and talent development, with the aim to enhance collaboration and expertise-sharing among global specialists.