RIYADH: Industrial partnerships in pharmaceuticals, trade and critical minerals are set to strengthen as Saudi Arabia expands cooperation with European partners during high-level talks in France and Belgium. 

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef used meetings in the two countries to push pharmaceutical manufacturing partnerships and critical minerals cooperation with Europe as part of his official visits, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The move aligns with Vision 2030 efforts to localize strategic industries and secure supply chains, while advancing the National Industrial Strategy and strengthening domestic pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing to enhance health security. 

In Lyon, AlKhorayef met Thomas Triomphe, executive vice president and head of vaccines at Sanofi, to explore opportunities to localize vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing in the Kingdom. 

“During the meeting, His Excellency viewed a presentation on the company’s journey as a global pharmaceutical group, its strategic directions in vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, key performance indicators, and its investments in research and development,” the SPA report stated. 

It added: “AlKhorayef also visited the industrial facilities, production lines, and quality control laboratories, observing the vaccine manufacturing process from the development of active ingredients through packaging according to the highest safety and quality standards, culminating in the rigorous testing and control systems that ensure product efficacy and safety before market release. 

He also visited Benta Group in the French city, where he was received by Chairman and Chief Executive Bernard Tannoury. 

During the visit, he was presented with an overview of the group’s history and origins in the French market, as well as its development in pharmaceutical manufacturing. 

The meetings and field visits in France form part of the minister’s official visit to the country, aimed at strengthening industrial partnerships, attracting high-quality investments in the biopharmaceutical sector, and transferring advanced knowledge and technologies.” 

In Brussels, AlKhorayef held bilateral meetings at the headquarters of the EU with Dubravka Suica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, and Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, during his official visit to Belgium. 

The meetings discussed areas of joint cooperation to reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a key partner in supporting economic security and integrating global supply chains, ensuring the smooth flow of international trade and securing supplies of critical minerals worldwide. 

During his meeting with Suica, the minister explored ways to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and expand partnership prospects between the Kingdom and the EU, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s support for regional and global economic security and its commitment to strengthening coordination on issues of mutual interest to promote economic stability and resilience amid global shifts and transformations. 

In his meeting with Sefcovic, AlKhorayef discussed prospects for cooperation in trade and strengthening the security of global supply chains, securing critical mineral supplies, exploring opportunities for industrial value chain integration between the Kingdom and EU member states, and expanding joint investments in priority sectors. 

The meetings in Belgium are part of AlKhorayef’s visit aimed at exchanging expertise, strengthening cooperation with European countries in advanced industries, and attracting high-quality investments to the Kingdom.