RIYADH: Sunday’s meetings between the visiting Japanese ministers and Saudi officials in Riyadh have given a fresh boost to their bilateral relations.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received at Al-Yamamah Palace Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Hiroshige Seko and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kentaro Sonora and their accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, the relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan as well as the prospects for bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields were reviewed. The audience was attended by a number of Saudi ministers and the ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom, Norihiro Okuda.
Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, also reviewed with the visiting ministers the areas of partnership to realize Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
The two parties discussed the role of Japanese companies and government in activating the achievement of the Vision, including the development of joint programs between the two countries since the start of the Joint Saudi-Japanese Group for Vision 2030. The meeting was attended by Minister of Economy and Planning Adel Fakeih.
At the meetings between the ministers, Japan and Saudi Arabia agreed to advance bilateral cooperation in fields such as network-connected devices and renewable energy.
In the first meeting held in the Saudi capital to support the Kingdom’s structural reform drive and help Japanese companies to make inroads, Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko said the occasion marks the beginning of bilateral cooperation in a concrete form.
"If combined with the Abenomics economy policy mix being pursued by the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Saudi Arabia’s reform efforts would create a “synergy” that yields great benefits,” Seko said at the outset of the meeting.
The ministerial-level meeting was attended by Adel Fakeih, minister of economy and planning, among other officials.
At the meeting, the two sides also agreed on Japanese support in such areas as talent development in animation and video games, energy conservation and nuclear power, martial arts seminars and athletic training, Japanese officials said.
Executives of about 30 Japanese companies accompanying Seko also met with Saudi officials and pitched their business plans.
The meeting was the result of an agreement reached between Abe and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Tokyo last month.
During the meeting between businessmen of the two countries held at the headquarters of the Council of Saudi Chambers on Sunday, Japan and Saudi Arabia agreed to advance bilateral trade cooperation between the two private sectors.
Speaking on behalf of the Saudi team at the headquarters of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Tariq Al-Qahtani told the Japanese officials that there is the second largest trade partner to the Kingdom enjoying a bilateral trade of $57 billion in 2013. He said the recent visit of the deputy crown prince to Japan and an earlier visit of King Salman when he was crown prince, had boosted trade between the two countries.
Al-Qahtani recalled that during these visits, a number agreements were signed and they are now being successfully implemented to derive mutual benefits. The results of these agreements will affect technology transfer and boost small and medium enterprises in the Kingdom.
The executive president of JETRO said that Japan’s largest volume of oil comes from the Kingdom and Japan in turn exports a variety of products including automobiles and machinery to Saudi Arabia.
Describing trade between two countries as significant, he said Japan is interested in taking part actively in the implementation of the 2030 program.
Leading Japanese bank Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. and state-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (Saudi Aramco) recently signed a major agreement for business cooperation with the aim to support Japanese companies investing in the Kingdom. The move will go a long way in expanding ties between the two countries, especially in the energy sector.
With the memorandum of understanding, Mizuho, the sole Japanese bank to have an office in Saudi Arabia, is expected to work more closely with the Kingdom and provide enhanced support to Aramco, which works to transform its business portfolio, the Tokyo-based financial group said in a press statement, while referring to the visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Tokyo.
The statement said that “Mizuho will use Aramco’s knowhow and network to introduce Japanese companies, in particular SMEs and middle-marketers which have unique technological advantages, to Aramco and other Saudi companies as their business partners.”
Fresh boost to Saudi-Japanese ties
Fresh boost to Saudi-Japanese ties
Saudi official elected vice chair of organization that sets standards for global food trade
- Saudi Food and Drug Authority says selection of Khalid Al-Zahrani by Codex Alimentarius Commission is a ‘milestone’ and ‘testament to our commitment to global food safety
- Al-Zahrani has represented the Kingdom on several international committees, including at the World Trade Organization
RIYADH: Saudi official Khalid Al-Zahrani was chosen on Wednesday to be vice chair of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which sets the standards for the international food trade that are designed to ensure products are safe and protect consumer health.
Representatives of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority who were present for the vote at the commission’s 47th annual session in Geneva, Switzerland, congratulated Al-Zahrani on his election.
“This is a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia and a testament to our commitment to global food safety and standards,” said Hisham Aljadhey, the authority’s CEO.
“By assuming the role of vice chair of Codex, (Saudi Arabia) aims to further strengthen international collaboration, promote sustainable food practices and ensure the well-being of consumers worldwide.”
Al-Zahrani has served as the Codex chairperson for the Near East region since 2020 and was reelected to the position in 2023.
He also represented Saudi Arabia on several international committees, including the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade, the Gulf Cooperation Council Standardization Organization, and the International Organization for Standardization’s Food Products Committee.
He works closely with the Kingdom’s Food and Drug Authority, which aims to prioritize sustainability and enhance efficiency, inclusiveness and transparency within food systems. The authority was recognized in January by the World Health Organization as one of the first five countries in the world to eliminate the use of industrially produced trans fats in food, alongside Denmark, Lithuania, Poland and Thailand.
“Al-Zahrani’s election highlights the exceptional quality of Saudi staff at the SFDA and the authority's efforts in food-safety legislation and oversight,” the authority said.
The Codex Alimentarius (Latin for “Food Code”) is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations related to food production, labeling and safety, published by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the WHO.
Saudi development fund chief meets Congo’s finance minister
CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development Sultan Al-Marshad met Congo’s Minister of Finance Doudou Fumba Likunde, the Saudi Fund said on X on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they reviewed development cooperation between the two sides that began 40 years ago, as well as discussing ways to enhance economic cooperation to develop vital sectors in Congo.
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Congo Abdulaziz Al-Badi was present during the meeting.
Saudi Arabia halves desalination costs, boosts efficiency by 80%, official says
- Technological advancements have played a critical role in the Kingdom’s water conservation efforts
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has improved its desalination efficiency by 80 percent and halved costs by 50 percent in recent years, a top official from the Kingdom has said.
“Our achievements in desalinated water production in the last eight years are equivalent to what was achieved in the previous four decades,” Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti said.
He outlined the accomplishments at the 2025 Budget Forum hosted by the Ministry of Finance in Riyadh, calling the progress a “historic milestone” for the Kingdom, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Daily desalinated water production has surged to 6 million cubic meters, contributing to a total capacity of 11.3 million cubic meters daily, he added.
The improvement is testament to the Kingdom’s commitment to water security, environmental sustainability and Vision 2030, the deputy minister said.
He highlighted the monumental scale of the Kingdom’s water infrastructure, noting that water production facilities are primarily located along the coasts, requiring water to be transported across thousands of kilometers.
“The water transmission network we have built spans more than 14,000 km — double the length of the Nile River,” he said. “It crosses mountain peaks, valleys and deserts to deliver water to communities across the Kingdom.”
Strategic water storage capacity has also seen a significant boost, rising from 13 million cubic meters in 2016 to more than 25 million cubic meters today.
“This expansion ensures the Kingdom’s resilience in times of crisis, guaranteeing reliable access to water for all regions,” said Al-Mushaiti.
He attributed the achievements to strong government support and private-sector collaboration.
“We have implemented 29 water projects worth SR28 billion ($7.46 billion), of which 30 percent — SR8 billion — is foreign investment,” he said.
Looking forward, Al-Mushaiti announced plans for private sector projects worth SR58 billion.
“We are building a system where public and private sectors work hand-in-hand to achieve national goals,” he said.
Technological advancements have played a critical role in the Kingdom’s water conservation efforts.
Al-Mushaiti said that by using innovation and sustainable practices, the Kingdom is saving more than 9 billion cubic meters of groundwater annually.
“That’s equivalent to the water consumption of the entire Kingdom’s population for three years,” he added.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the water sector installed 2 million electronic meters, enabling more efficient billing and consumption monitoring.
“These meters send notifications to users when their consumption exceeds normal levels, promoting the principle of ‘responsible consumption’,” Al-Mushaiti said.
Furthermore, water rationalization initiatives in government agencies saved more than 31 million cubic meters of water in 2023 alone.
The ministry’s efforts have also spurred growth in the agricultural sector, which has seen its contribution to gross domestic product rise from SR64 billion in 2016 to SR109 billion in 2023.
“We achieved self-sufficiency rates for many crops that now exceed 100 percent,” Al-Mushaiti said, adding that these gains reflect the success of policies aimed at conserving water resources while boosting productivity.
On the environmental front, Saudi Arabia is making strides with its Saudi Green Initiative.
Al-Mushaiti said that in just three years, the country has planted more than 95 million trees using renewable water and supplementary irrigation.
“This number will surpass 100 million by the end of the year, marking the start of a green era for the Kingdom,” he said.
The deputy minister also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leadership in addressing global water challenges.
“Water is the backbone of life and development, and achieving sustainability is one of the greatest global challenges,” he said.
In this regard, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2023 announced the establishment of the Global Water Organization, headquartered in Riyadh.
The decision underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing water sustainability worldwide, Al-Mushaiti said.
He added that the World Bank has recognized Saudi Arabia’s water system as unique and a model that others should study.
As Saudi Arabia pushes forward with its ambitious plans for water security, agriculture and environmental sustainability, Al-Mushaiti concluded with optimism: “The journey so far has been remarkable, but the best is yet to come.”
Saudi Geological Survey celebrates excellence in research, innovation
- Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishaal and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef attended the event
- CEO Abdullah Al-Shamrani reviewed 25 years of accomplishments, emphasizing the survey’s role in advancing geological sciences
JEDDAH: The Saudi Geological Survey recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special event in Jeddah, marking a quarter-century of excellence in geological research and exploration.
Makkah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishaal and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef attended the event.
The event highlighted the survey’s achievements, future initiatives, and contributions to geological research and innovation. Guests shared insights from their experiences with the organization.
CEO Abdullah Al-Shamrani reviewed 25 years of accomplishments, emphasizing the survey’s role in advancing geological sciences, supporting national development, and managing resources sustainably.
He also outlined plans to raise awareness of geological risks via the “Rawasi” platform, preserve Zamzam water sustainability, and complete digital transformation of technical services.
Al-Shamrani affirmed a commitment to advancing technical achievements, implementing projects, and supporting development for a promising future through skilled Saudi cadres.
Al-Khorayef said that since the start of the millennium, the Kingdom had made intensive efforts in mineral resource research and exploration. Led by SGS employees, this had yielded significant discoveries over the past 25 years, impacting the mining sector by boosting investment and developing mineral wealth.
He added that the aim was to position the Kingdom as a global leader in earth sciences and geology through ambitious plans, aligning with its international standing.
These efforts included fully uncovering its mineral wealth, meeting geological needs, building a global earth sciences database, and creating a platform for stakeholders worldwide, the minister said.
Saudi Ministry of Culture to cooperate with King Charles’ school on craft training
- Kingdom’s initiative will help Saudi artisans to develop skills in design, craftmanship and traditional arts
- Ministry of Culture’s goal is to ‘regenerate and renew Saudi craft traditions across different regions of the Kingdom’
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has signed an agreement with King Charles’ School of Traditional Arts to cooperate in the programs of the Year of Handicrafts 2025 initiative.
The signing ceremony on Wednesday was attended by Prince Bader bin Farhan, minister of culture, at the Saudi International Handicrafts Week Exhibition (Benan), currently held at the Roshn Front in Riyadh.
Khaled Omar Azzam, director of the traditional arts school at The King’s Foundation, and Hamed Fayez, deputy minister of culture, also attended the signing of the agreement, which aims to revive and promote handicrafts in Saudi Arabia throughout 2025.
A series of sessions and trainings will be launched to revive craft production in several Saudi regions through the “Regeneration of the Crafts of Saudi Arabia” comprehensive program, which will start in January 2025.
The King's Foundation School of Traditional Arts will curate programs, training and initiatives that focus on design and crafts, the Saudi News Agency reported.
“The primary goal is to regenerate and renew Saudi craft traditions across different regions of the Kingdom,” a Ministry of Culture statement said.
The King’s Foundation, a British charity established in 1986 by King Charles III when he was Prince of Wales, has been at the forefront of educating traditional arts alongside urban design and traditional architecture.
The agreement between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and The King’s Foundation school is part of the national culture strategy under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia aim to help Saudi artisans, through training, to develop their skills in design, craftmanship and traditional arts.
