Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Al-Khorayef, is set to visit Indonesia to explore opportunities for strengthening cooperation in the mining and industrial sectors. During the official trip, Al-Khorayef will meet with several top Indonesian government officials, including the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Minister of Industry, as well as key figures from the private sector. The visit is aimed at deepening bilateral collaboration, particularly in the mining sector, which holds significant long-term growth potential. In the last fiscal year, Indonesia’s mineral fuel exports reached over USD 67 billion, while imports stood at around USD 38 billion. Saudi Arabia views its investment in Vale Indonesia as a gateway to exploring more mining opportunities and supporting clean energy needs amid a global shift to renewables.
The ministry also highlighted Indonesia’s increasing investment in Saudi Arabia, notably through Indofood’s growing presence in the consumer goods sector. Additionally, the two nations signed a mutual halal certification agreement in December 2023, opening new avenues for Indonesian halal producers in the Saudi and Gulf markets. The development of Jeddah’s Food Cluster near a major export port is expected to further strengthen Indonesia’s role as the world’s largest halal market. Al-Khorayef’s visit marks a new chapter in Indonesia–Saudi relations, with a shared focus on innovation, sustainable development, renewable energy, infrastructure, and industrial knowledge exchange.
