Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Alkhorayef, met with senior officials of Chinese mining companies to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in the mining sector. The focus was on joint investment opportunities in processing and producing lithium for electric car batteries, as well as processing and refining copper. Key officials present at the meeting included Assistant Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Planning and Development Abdullah Ali Alahmari, CEO of the National Industrial Development Center Saleh Al-Solami, and CEO of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones Majed Al-Argoubi.
During the meeting, Alkhorayef discussed Saudi Arabia’s objectives in the electric car manufacturing sector, highlighting the Kingdom’s plans to become a global hub for producing and exporting electric vehicles. The National Industrial Strategy has identified the automotive industry as a top sector for development, with a focus on manufacturing environmentally friendly vehicles, including electric cars. Last year, Saudi Arabia issued a license for the first Saudi brand for manufacturing electric cars, Ceer, and inaugurated the first factory for manufacturing electric vehicles, Lucid.
In addition to exploring opportunities in the electric car industry, Alkhorayef also discussed investment prospects in copper processing and refining with the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jiangxi Copper Company. This company operates in the field of copper extraction, smelting, and refining, playing a crucial role in the global copper industry. The focus was on innovations and sustainability initiatives to meet the growing demand for copper globally. The minister also met with leaders in smart manufacturing solutions, infrastructure development, and packaging, discussing mutual investment opportunities in these sectors.
Alkhorayef’s visit to China follows a recent visit to Chile, the second-largest producer of lithium in the world, aimed at enhancing cooperation in lithium production for electric car batteries. The minister also explored opportunities for cooperation in the packaging sector with the Chief Strategy Officer at Biwin Storage Technology Company. Additionally, he met with the Co-founder and CEO of Guangzhou HeyGears, a company specializing in applying 3D printing technology and creating smart manufacturing solutions in various sectors.
The minister also discussed initiatives to enhance digital skills and implement advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things, AI, and robotics to improve manufacturing efficiency and productivity with the CEO of Huawei Enterprise for Oil and Gas and Chairman of Huawei KSA. The meetings with leaders of institutions and private sector companies in China were part of an official visit as part of an economic tour in East Asia, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties, attract quality investments to the Kingdom, and discover investment opportunities in the industrial sector.
In conclusion, the discussions between Saudi Minister Alkhorayef and Chinese mining companies focused on enhancing cooperation in the mining sector, exploring joint investment opportunities in lithium production for electric car batteries and copper processing and refining. The minister highlighted Saudi Arabia’s plans to become a global hub for producing electric vehicles, with a focus on manufacturing environmentally friendly vehicles. The visit also included discussions on smart manufacturing solutions, infrastructure development, and implementing advanced technologies to improve manufacturing efficiency.Saudi Arabia looks forward to strengthening bilateral ties with China and attracting quality investments to the Kingdom’s industrial sector.
