Bandar Al-Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, initiated an official journey to Santiago, Chile, with the intention of bolstering bilateral ties in the industrial and mining realms. Accompanying him are Eng. Khaled Al-Mudaifer, Deputy Minister of Industry for Mining Affairs, along with prominent figures from the Saudi industrial and mining sectors.
The delegation’s mission centers on advancing collaborative efforts, sharing pioneering technologies, and gleaning insights from Chile’s expertise in lithium extraction and aircraft manufacturing.
Throughout their stay, the Saudi officials are scheduled to engage with their Chilean counterparts, including Minister of Mining Aurora Williams, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Gloria Gonzalez, and Deputy Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism Nicolas Veloso. A key event is a roundtable discussion helmed by Al-Khorayef with the Chilean Industrial Federation’s leadership.
Additional engagements include dialogues with executives from top mining entities like Codelco and Antofagasta, as well as ENAER, a notable aircraft producer.
Chile’s status as the globe’s second-largest lithium provider, a crucial component in electric vehicle batteries, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning focus on electric vehicle manufacturing. This visit is poised to enhance mutual knowledge transfer and technical prowess in this domain.
In the context of trade, the past year saw Saudi non-oil exports to Chile reach SR700 million, predominantly metals, plastics, rubber, chemicals, and polymers. Conversely, Saudi imports from Chile totaled SR500 million, with a focus on agricultural, food products, and wood.
This diplomatic outreach to Chile follows closely after a significant visit to Brazil, where Al-Khorayef led a delegation aimed at fortifying joint investment ventures and promoting sustainable growth in industry and mining, pivotal sectors for economic diversification.
