Saudi Arabia lays $2.5t investment options to French, European partners keeping in mind mineral resources as well as downstream industrial sectors at the Gulf Vision 2026 Forum in Paris.
Khalid Al-Mudaifer, Saudi Arabia’s vice minister of industry and mineral resources for mining affairs, spoke about the economic transformation of the kingdom via Vision 2030 and pointed out significant accomplishments within the industrial and mining sectors during the event, as per an official press statement shared on X.
The vice minister also highlighted the accomplishments of the Kingdom in the industry and mining sectors and referred to avenues for enhancing bilateral ties in major industries.
It is worth noting that Vision 2030 targets the discovery of over $2.5 trillion in mineral resources comprising gold, phosphates, copper, zinc, and aluminium as well as rare earth elements. It is part of the efforts made by Saudi Arabia to diversify its sources of revenue and cement its standing within global supply chains.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom said in May that the country awarded 80 new mining licences in March 2026 in contrast to 38 in February 2026 as the kingdom continues to bolster its attempts to establish the sector as the third cornerstone of the country’s economy.
As per the post, the minister said the kingdom is committed to providing a conducive environment when it comes to investments, supported by advanced legislation and incentives, which have rendered the Saudi mining sector a magnet for foreign investors.
During the forum, Al-Mudaifer held a number of regular meetings with French officials as well as representatives of major French companies operating in mining and associated industries.
Discussions centred on greater collaboration in mining investment, transfer of technology, and joint ventures, especially in terms of mineral discovery and sustainable mining practices as well as broadening the mineral value chain.
The vice minister also emphasized the possibilities for investment in the Saudi mining sector, which is seeing rapid expansion, thanks to the ambitious plans of the Kingdom to boost the sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product.
The ministry statement emphasized interest by Saudi Arabia in promoting collaborations with France in terms of critical minerals, mining, advanced manufacturing and various other related sectors as part of greater efforts to encourage sustainable development as well as investment.
Al-Mudaifer additionally looked at the efforts made by the ministry to localize mining technologies and establish national competencies when it comes to the vital sector.
The vice minister stressed the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program’s role in boosting the industrial aspirations of the Kingdom by way of integrating the industry, mining, and energy as well as logistics sectors under one national strategy. He said the program has assisted to boost the industrial capacity of Saudi Arabia, reinforced the local value chains, optimized logistics networks and enhanced the global competitiveness as far as Saudi products are concerned, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He added that Saudi Arabia’s ambitions go beyond developing its mineral resources, with a focus on establishing integrated industrial value chains that underpin long-term financial stability and industrial development.
The participation in the Gulf Vision 2026 forum by the ministry is part of its wider efforts to draw in foreign investment and build strategic alliances that contribute to the growth of the mining sector of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030.