SANTIAGO — Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef arrived in Santiago on Tuesday at the start of an official visit to Chile. He is accompanied by Deputy Minister of Industry for Mining Affairs Eng. Khaled Al-Mudaifer and leaders in Saudi Arabia's industry and mining sectors. The visit aims to enhance cooperation in the fields and transfer the latest innovative technologies in the two sectors, in addition to learning about the Chilean experience in producing lithium and manufacturing aircraft. The visit includes meetings in the Chilean capital, Santiago, with Minister of Mining Aurora Williams, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Gloria Gonzalez, and Deputy Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism Nicolas Veloso, in addition to a roundtable meeting between Al-Khorayef and leaders of the Chilean Industrial Federation (SOFOFA). He will also meet with the heads of leading mining companies, including Codelco and Antofagasta, as well as ENAER, an aircraft manufacturer. Chile is the world's second-largest producer of lithium, the primary mineral used in electric car batteries. Saudi Arabia has witnessed significant expansion in the manufacture of electric vehicles, and this visit represents an opportunity for the two countries to exchange knowledge and technical expertise in this field. The volume of Saudi non-oil exports to Chile amounted to SR700 million during 2023, the most important of which are metals and their products, plastics, rubber, chemicals and polymers, while the total imports of Saudi Arabia from Chile amounted to SR500 million, the most important of which are agricultural and food products and wood. The visit to Chile comes on the heels of an important visit to Brazil that the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources concluded on Monday. Al-Khorayef began his visit to Brazil on July 22, during which he led a delegation with the aim of increasing joint investments, sustainable development and economic diversification, especially in the industry and mining sectors.
