Saudi Arabia and Syria are preparing to enhance collaboration in the industrial domain and create joint task forces to promote economic integration between the nations.
The declaration was made following a meeting in Riyadh between the Kingdom’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Alkhorayef and Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry, Mohammed Nidal Al-Shaar, to discuss potential collaboration opportunities.
The talks centred on enhancing collaborative investments, promoting knowledge sharing, and investigating new avenues for industrial integration between the two nations.
The gathering occurred alongside the Saudi-Syrian roundtable, where both nations signed a pact to safeguard and enhance mutual investments.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Alkhorayef referred to the meeting as a visit “that establishes the groundwork for facilitating cooperation and economic integration, aligned with the leadership’s instructions to enhance the Saudi-Syrian partnership, highlighting the profound fraternal bonds between the two sisterly countries.”
Alkhorayef highlighted their leadership’s mutual dedication to promoting collaborative efforts and enhancing economic relations, especially in industry and mining, while promoting reciprocal investments, as stated in a separate announcement from the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources on his X account.
In the meeting, the Saudi minister emphasised the results of the Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum that occurred in July in Damascus, sponsored by Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.
He mentioned that multiple agreements had been established in key areas, such as industry and mining, calling them important measures for rejuvenating Syria’s economy and guaranteeing sustainable development.
The Saudi minister further highlighted the goals of the Kingdom’s “National Industrial Strategy,” emphasising its significance in developing industrial integration frameworks with Arab countries.
Alkhorayef emphasised the need to engage the private sector to capitalise on opportunities presented by industrial collaboration with Syria.
Alkhorayef invited Al-Shaar to the 21st General Conference of the UN Industrial Development Organisation, which will be held in Riyadh in November 2025, presenting it as an opportunity to enhance regional industrial conversation.
The Syrian minister conveyed his country’s willingness to enhance industrial and investment collaborations with Saudi Arabia, emphasising Damascus’ eagerness to leverage the Kingdom’s advanced industrial knowledge.
He stated that Syria’s current reconstruction stage presents distinctive chances to draw Saudi private sector investments, particularly in the industrial area.
During the discussions, both parties consented to establish collaborative technical working groups to monitor industrial integration efforts and guarantee the effective execution of agreed-upon actions.
The gathering was joined by Saudi Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Affairs Khalil bin Salamah, Assistant Minister of Investment Abdullah Al-Dubikhi, along with top officials from the industrial sector.
On the Syrian side, attendees comprised the deputy minister of economy and industry for industry and foreign trade, the head of the Syrian Investment Authority, the director of industrial zones, and officials from the Syrian sovereign wealth fund.