Saudi Arabia is looking to pursue partnerships with Chinese companies in the automotive and automation industries. This follows the Saudi Minister of Industry’s tour of East Asia this week. Bandar Alkhorayef, the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, is leading a visit to Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Singapore that began on September 1st and runs until September 8th. The visit aims to strengthen Saudi-China relations and explore potential joint ventures.
Alkhorayef’s office stated, “The visit of the delegation to China aligns with the country’s objective to become a key automotive hub in the region and a leader in innovative and eco-friendly vehicle solutions.”
Alkhorayef and his delegation’s visit is expected to lay the foundation for joint ventures and agreements between the two countries. The countries hope that the partnerships will bring more investments into Saudi Arabia, enhancing economic growth and contributing significantly to Saudi Arabia’s vision of economic diversification.
China represents a valuable partner for Saudi Arabia due to its global recognition and its drive to modernize the industrial base. The Saudi government plans to utilize Chinese expertise to develop its automotive industry and further enhance automation processes. Figures from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources reveal that China is the kingdom’s largest trading partner, with trade surpassing $100 billion in 2023. This data also highlights significant Chinese investments in Saudi Arabia last year, including $5.6 billion in automotive original equipment manufacturing, $5.26 billion in the minerals sector, and $4.26 billion in semiconductors.
According to official Chinese data, a total of $27.55 billion worth of goods was transported to Saudi Arabia from January to July. This represents an increase of nearly 12 percent compared to last year. However, the total value of goods imported by the Kingdom dropped by 7.3 percent, amounting to $34.97 billion.
This partnership aligns with the Kingdom’s goals of boosting innovation and local production capabilities, as well as creating more job opportunities within the field. Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s focus on automation aims to boost industrial efficiency through the incorporation of advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and smart manufacturing solutions from China. This collaboration with leading Chinese tech firms will ensure Saudi Arabia’s success in creating a strong industrial ecosystem that fosters innovation and sustains long-term development.
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