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Saudi Arabia, Italy to Boost Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The Saudi-Italian Investment Forum saw the participation of a range of private sector representatives from both nations to explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities. (Saad al-Enezi)
The Saudi-Italian Investment Forum saw the participation of a range of private sector representatives from both nations to explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities. (Saad al-Enezi)
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Saudi Arabia, Italy to Boost Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The Saudi-Italian Investment Forum saw the participation of a range of private sector representatives from both nations to explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities. (Saad al-Enezi)
The Saudi-Italian Investment Forum saw the participation of a range of private sector representatives from both nations to explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities. (Saad al-Enezi)

Saudi Arabia and Italy underscored on Monday their strategic relations and determination to further expand their economic partnership.

Addressing the Saudi-Italian Investment Forum being in Riyadh, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammad al-Jadaan discussed the national economy and the "enormous" investment opportunities available.

He said his country is going through an economic transformation that creates investment opportunities in many areas in various sectors.

Saudi Arabia is going through an economic transformation with different companies capable of attracting Italian expertise, capabilities, and innovation.

Bilateral trade between the two nations topped $8.6 billion, a 32.9 percent increase in 2020.

Italy is Saudi Arabia's seventh-largest supplier of goods, and the Kingdom ranks 21 in goods supplied to Italy. Saudi Arabia provides approximately 9 percent of Italy's oil imports.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 12th session of the Saudi-Italian Joint Commission, Jadaan explained that Saudi Arabia is undergoing an economic transformation with the diversification of its economy by concentrating more on non-oil sectors.

He explained that the national economic transformation opens horizons for investors and innovative creativity, calling on Italian investors to be part of this.

"Italian investors with expertise, experience, and innovation are invited to be a part of our transformation," the minister added.

Moreover, Jadaan indicated that Saudi Arabia is increasing its renewable energy resources and creating a series of services, creating great investment opportunities in the Kingdom.

Italy is a leading country in energy investment, said the minister, noting that Italian investors have the opportunity to participate in the Saudi economic transformation.

He addressed culture and tourism, noting that Saudi Arabia is making significant efforts to develop the two sectors by encouraging investors and creating long-term opportunities.

Speaking at the event, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio stressed that his country is fully prepared to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

Riyadh and Rome share common interests and strategic priorities that have provided the foundations of a long-term relationship spanning more than nine decades, he remarked.

Italian high-tech companies will contribute to the Kingdom's goals of achieving a more diversified economy, especially in sustainability and energy transition, he continued.

Di Maio acknowledged the Saudi achievements in transforming society and business, asserting that Italy is fully prepared to provide the support the Kingdom needs to implement its reforms.

At the forum, representatives of the private sector emphasized a large number of investment opportunities, leveraging the human and natural resources boasted by their countries and developing programs for partnerships in the economic, commercial, and industrial fields.

Several agreements between Saudi and Italian companies to launch joint businesses were signed at the forum.

Chairman of the Saudi-Italian Business Council, Kamel al-Munajjed, said the efforts made in economic transformation have gone a long way in converting the Saudi economy from an oil-based economy to a prosperous knowledge-based economy.

The economy provided opportunities for millions of Saudi youths, mobilizing untapped potentials in revitalizing the entire society with the dynamism and stimulus the Kingdom's economy enjoys.

Munajjed explained that Vision 2030 contributed to creating innovative job opportunities, placing the Kingdom at the forefront of the green economy countries through the initiatives and renewable energy projects.

He called on Italian investors and companies to double the trade exchange, which ranges from $7 to $8 billion annually, urging the authorities in the two countries to support the partnerships through agreements that prevent double taxation and protect the investment.

He pointed out that Italy is the Kingdom's top partner in the small and medium-sized companies.

Furthermore, he noted that Italy could explore vast potential and opportunities in archaeology and cultural and tourism projects in AlUla.

Italian banks and investment companies are welcome to launch their business in the Saudi market, said Munajjed.

The Saudi-Italian Investment Forum saw the participation of a range of private sector representatives from both nations to explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities.

With a focus on finance, infrastructure and mobility, tourism and culture, and renewable energy, the forum featured interactive presentations spotlighting how a world of opportunity awaits Italian investors as Saudi Arabia's globally recognized reform agenda continues to progress.

The forum concluded with bilateral business meetings and the opportunity for Italian investors to explore the world-leading support services available from Invest Saudi, the Kingdom's investment promotion platform.

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China Exempts Some Goods from US Tariffs to Limit trade War Pain

TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
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China Exempts Some Goods from US Tariffs to Limit trade War Pain

TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT

China has exempted some US imports from its 125% tariffs and is asking firms to identify critical goods they need levy-free, according to businesses notified, in the clearest sign yet of Beijing's concerns about the trade war's economic fallout.

The dispensation, which follows de-escalatory statements from Washington, signals that the world's two largest economies were prepared to rein in their conflict, which had frozen much of the trade between them, raising fears of a global recession.

Beijing's exemptions - which business groups hope would extend to dozens of industries - pushed the US dollar up slightly and lifted equity markets in Hong Kong and Japan.

“As a quid-pro-quo move, it could provide a potential way to de-escalate tensions," said Alfredo Montufar-Helu, a senior adviser to the Conference Board's China Center, a think tank.

But, he cautioned: "It’s clear that neither the US nor China want to be the first in reaching out for a deal."

China has not yet communicated publicly on any exemptions. A Friday statement by the Politburo, the Communist Party's elite decision-making body, focused on efforts to maintain stability at home by supporting firms and workers most affected by tariffs.

The readout, which followed the Politburo's regular monthly meeting, showed that Beijing was also ready to hunker down and fight a trade war of attrition if needed to outlast Washington in enduring the pain from the breakdown of their relationship.

A Ministry of Commerce taskforce is collecting lists of items that could be exempted from tariffs and is asking companies to submit their own requests, according to a person with knowledge of that outreach.

The ministry said on Thursday it had held a meeting with more than 80 foreign companies and business chambers in China to discuss the impact of US tariffs on investment and the operation of foreign firms in the country.

"The Chinese government, for example, has been asking our companies what sort of things are you importing to China from the US that you cannot find anywhere else and so would shut down your supply chain," American Chamber of Commerce in China President Michael Hart said.

Hart added some member pharmaceutical companies had reported being able to import drugs to China without tariffs. He believed the exemptions were drug-specific, not industry-wide.

The chief executive of French aircraft engine maker Safran said on Friday it had been informed last night that China had granted tariff exemptions on "a certain number of aerospace equipment parts" including engines and landing gear.

The tariff exemptions under consideration by Beijing could provide cost relief for companies in China and take pressure off US exports at a time when the Trump administration has shown signs of wanting to make a deal with Beijing.

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China also said it had raised the issue of tariff exemptions with the commerce ministry and was awaiting a response.

"Many of our member companies are significantly impacted by the tariffs on critical components imported from the US," President Jens Eskelund said.

A list of 131 categories of products said to be under consideration for tariff exemptions was circulating on Chinese social media platforms and among some businesses and trade groups on Friday. Reuters could not verify the list, which included items ranging from vaccines and chemicals to jet engines.

Huatai Securities said the list corresponded to $45 billion worth of imports to China last year.

China's customs agency and Ministry of Commerce did not reply to requests for comment. China's foreign ministry said it was not familiar with tariff exemption plans, redirecting queries to "relevant authorities".