The Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, discussed during bilateral meetings with Canadian ministers the enhancement of industrial and mining cooperation between the two countries, opportunities for developing industrial innovation, and building a partnership to create smart industrial cities in the Kingdom by leveraging Canadian expertise.

Al-Khorayef confirmed during his meeting with Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, the Kingdom's aspiration to benefit from the applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, particularly artificial intelligence and robotics, to develop the industrial sector, create added value within it, and improve production and operational efficiency in industrial facilities, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The meeting discussed enhancing cooperation in the field of industrial digitization, using artificial intelligence to improve industrial processes, and the available opportunities for collaboration in building smart industrial cities in the Kingdom, drawing on Canadian expertise and advancements in the field of digital infrastructure. The two parties also explored the role of partnership with academic institutions in developing industrial innovation.

The Saudi Minister of Industry discussed during a meeting with Canada's Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, enhancing economic relations and non-oil trade between the two countries. Currently, Saudi Arabia is the largest trading partner for Canada in the Middle East and North Africa. The meeting also addressed the role of industrial development globally in advancing communities, increasing their welfare, and improving the living standards of individuals.

On another note, the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources met with the Executive Director of the National Council for Human Resources in Canada, Ryan Montpellier, and discussed opportunities to benefit from workforce development strategies and enhancing human capabilities in the mining sector, especially with the Kingdom's commitment to developing its human talents in line with its ambitions and targets from the mining sector. Vision 2030 emphasizes this sector as a key area for diversifying income in the national economy. The meeting also addressed the goals of the comprehensive mining strategy.