Saudi Arabia and Italy are poised to enhance their mining collaboration, focusing on sustainable solutions and clean energy, as well as boosting investment in the Kingdom’s growing exploration industry. This follows high-level meetings in Rome involving Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Alkhorayef, and Italy’s Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin.
The discussions, attended by key figures such as Prince Faisal bin Sattam bin Abdulaziz and Saleh Al-Sulami, emphasized a strategic partnership across diverse sectors. The aim is to strengthen industrial and mining cooperation, in line with Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Strategy.
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports to Italy have reached SR2.8 billion, with imports from Italy at SR21.8 billion this year. Alkhorayef highlighted the mutual interest in deepening bilateral cooperation and outlined the Kingdom’s mining potential, backed by $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources and extensive geological data.
The minister also explored renewable energy collaborations, inviting Italian companies to expand in Saudi Arabia and participate in significant projects. He extended an invitation to Fratin for the upcoming International Mining Conference in Riyadh.
Alkhorayef’s engagements included meetings with major Italian and global firms, targeting electric vehicle manufacturing, aviation, shipbuilding, and smart manufacturing. He discussed transferring advanced automotive technologies to Saudi Arabia and highlighted projects like Lucid and Ceer, aiming to boost local vehicle production.
Further discussions involved localizing aviation technologies through Arabian Tiger Holding Co. and exploring maritime industry partnerships with Fincantieri. Automation solutions and robotics integration were also key topics with AlmavivA’s representatives.
Alkhorayef praised the Saudi-Italian Business Council’s efforts in bolstering economic ties and encouraged Italian firms to invest in Saudi Arabia’s promising industrial and mining sectors.
