Saudi industry minister encourages French companies to invest in Kingdom’s mining sectors  

Bandar Alkhorayef met multiple officials from French firms at a meeting in Paris (SPA)
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Updated 13 June 2023
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Saudi industry minister encourages French companies to invest in Kingdom’s mining sectors  

RIYADH: In a bid to attract French companies to invest in Saudi Arabia’s mining sector, the Kingdom’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources held a meeting with leading business figures at the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce in Paris on Tuesday.

An array of promising funding opportunities were discussed as Bandar Alkhorayef met multiple officials from French firms and expressed the Kingdom’s keenness to facilitate investment, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Alkhorayef’s visit is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to bolster the role of the mining and industrial sectors in the national economy and increase their contribution by attracting foreign investment.  

The minister is in Paris to attend Vision Golfe, a landmark business event showcasing opportunities for commercial partnerships between France and the Gulf states that began on June 13.

It is a new platform promoting business cooperation in high-growth potential markets in both private and public sectors such as trade, sports and energy.   

Key economic players, government ministers, and small business managers will have the opportunity to meet and exchange views in the two-day event, as well as representatives from start-ups and senior executives.

Rich in natural resources, Saudi Arabia has undertaken several policy initiatives in recent years to make its mining sector attractive to private investors.    

The Kingdom’s strategic location and robust infrastructure also offer opportunities for firms to strengthen their global supply chain.     

In March, Saudi Arabia’s industry ministry issued 27 new mining licenses, totaling 2,314.   

The Kingdom has been striving to transform the mining sector into the third pillar of the national strategy. 

This effort involves substantially exploring its natural resources across 5,300 sites valued at SR5 trillion ($1.33 trillion).

It boasts over 20 distinct mineral types, including gravel, gold, iron, copper, granite and marble.  

The Kingdom also features 35 specific geological formations, known as mineral belts, with abundant deposits.     

In addition to attracting qualitative investment opportunities in the industrial and mining sectors, Alkhorayef’s visit to France falls within the framework of promoting cooperation between the two countries.

It also reflects the Kingdom’s attempts to increase the access of Saudi non-oil exports to the French and European markets.  


Bahri profit rises 12% to $647m in 2025 as oil shipping boosts earnings 

Updated 11 March 2026
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Bahri profit rises 12% to $647m in 2025 as oil shipping boosts earnings 

RIYADH: The National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia, also known as Bahri, posted a 12.07 percent increase in annual profit as stronger tanker earnings and higher global freight rates boosted results. 

Net profit attributable to shareholders reached SR2.43 billion ($647.46 million) in 2025, compared with SR2.17 billion a year earlier, according to a filing on Saudi Exchange. 

Revenue for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, rose 9.12 percent to SR10.35 billion, compared with SR9.48 billion in 2024, while gross profit increased 14.71 percent to SR3.10 billion. 

Highlighting the main reason for the increase in net profit during the current year, the company said: “The increase in gross profit of Bahri Oil BU by SR755 million mainly due to improved operational performance and global shipping rates during the current year compared to the last year.”  

It added: “The increase in the company’s share of results of equity-accounted investees by SR134 million during the current year compared to the last year. 

However, the gains were partly offset by declines in other areas. Gross profit from the chemicals business unit fell by SR324 million, while the integrated logistics unit recorded a SR37 million decrease.  

The company’s operating profit climbed 4.67 percent year on year to SR2.73 billion, reflecting improved operational performance across several business units.  

Bahri said the increase in revenue was driven primarily by higher activity in multiple divisions, particularly its oil business unit, where revenue rose by SR1.26 billion due to increased operational activity and higher global shipping rates. 

The growth in revenue was partially offset by lower performance in other segments. 

Revenue from the chemicals business unit declined by SR396 million, while the dry bulk unit recorded a decrease of SR87 million compared with the previous year. 

Bahri also reported a SR138 million decline in other income, mainly due to lower capital gains from vessel sales.  

The company recorded SR216 million in gains from vessel sales in the previous year compared with SR6 million in the current year. Higher general and administrative expenses and increased finance costs also weighed on profitability. 

Total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders reached SR2.38 billion, up 8.65 percent from SR2.19 billion in the previous year. 

 Total shareholders’ equity rose 12.07 percent to SR15.27 billion, compared with SR13.63 billion a year earlier, while earnings per share increased to SR2.63 from SR2.35. 

Separately, Bahri’s board of directors recommended the distribution of cash dividends totaling SR922.85 million for the 2025 fiscal year, equivalent to SR1 per share.  

The proposed dividend represents 10 percent of the share’s par value and will be distributed to shareholders owning 922.85 million eligible shares, subject to approval at the company’s upcoming general assembly meeting. The eligibility and distribution dates will be announced at a later stage.