Toulouse: Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef held a high-level meeting in Toulouse, France, with CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft Christian Scherer and Airbus leaders in the commercial aviation and satellite sectors. The meeting was attended by Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad Laurent Saint-Martin, CEO of Local Content and Government Procurement Authority Abdulrahman Al Samari, and CEO of the National Industrial Development Center Eng. Saleh Al-Solami.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the aviation and space industries, including opportunities to localize aircraft manufacturing and maintenance technology in Saudi Arabia. Alkhorayef emphasized the long-standing strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and Airbus, which has been pivotal in developing cooperation in aviation and satellite industries. He highlighted the mutual investment opportunities, noting the significance of localizing aviation manufacturing as a priority under Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for Industry. This initiative aims to enhance national industrial capabilities, boost global competitiveness, and achieve economic diversification and sustainable development in the Kingdom.
Alkhorayef also pointed out that Saudi Arabia is working towards developing an advanced industrial and investment environment for the aviation industry. This includes fostering innovation, supporting supply chain integration, and attracting quality investments. He outlined enablers and incentives to attract global aviation companies, including Airbus, such as simplified government procedures for foreign investment, streamlined regulations, easy licensing, and competitive access to key minerals like aluminum and titanium for aviation manufacturing. The Kingdom’s strategic global location as a trade hub connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa, along with a supportive investment climate with government-backed financial solutions and advanced infrastructure for business sustainability, were also highlighted as significant advantages.
Moreover, Alkhorayef affirmed Saudi Arabia’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Airbus in addressing supply chain challenges in the aviation industry. He pointed to the Kingdom’s vast mineral resources, advanced logistics networks, and skilled workforce as assets for mutual benefits and increased joint investments to support the localization of aviation manufacturing.
Scherer stated that the Kingdom is a strategic partner for Airbus in the Middle East, praising Saudi Vision 2030 for supporting economic transformation and diversification, and achieving sustainable development. He emphasized Airbus’s commitment to deepening its relations with the Kingdom through knowledge and expertise exchange and enhanced cooperation in advanced technologies that contribute to the development of the aviation and satellite sectors.
Saint-Martin underscored the importance of strengthening industrial cooperation between the Kingdom and France, particularly in aviation and satellite technology, to advance shared development goals.
Alkhorayef and his delegation visited Airbus’s main manufacturing plant and its commercial aviation and satellite facilities. Airbus leaders provided comprehensive presentations on the company’s global operations, expansion, and cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions for aircraft manufacturing. Alkhorayef also toured Airbus’s assembly lines, observing the company’s advanced manufacturing processes and operational excellence.
The visit also included a tour of Airbus’s satellite manufacturing facilities to explore its capabilities in space industries and innovative technologies that support communication development and enhance global security.
Alkhorayef’s meeting with Airbus leaders is part of his official visit to France, aiming to strengthen industrial and mining cooperation and explore joint opportunities in strategic industrial sectors that Saudi Arabia seeks to localize and develop, primarily aviation and food industries.
