Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The 12th session of the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee, held in Riyadh on Sunday, focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in several strategic fields, including industry, mining, transportation and logistics, the judiciary and justice system, and media.
The session, organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, brought together representatives from government entities of both countries to discuss opportunities for expanding cooperation and developing strategic partnerships across various economic and development sectors.
The session was co-chaired by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef and Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning Dr. Samir Abdelhafidh.Official delegations and government sector representatives from both countries attended the session.
In his opening remarks, Alkhorayef emphasized the strength of Saudi-Tunisian relations and the economic ties between the two countries, which span more than 70 years. He noted that these ties are reflected today in shared visions and ambitious work programs that align with the aspirations of both countries’ leaderships and peoples, as well as their mutual interests.
He pointed out that the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee, launched in 1998, represents an institutional framework aimed at translating cooperation into executable programs and initiatives. He expressed hope that this session would serve as a new starting point for joint strategic projects and more impactful agreements that contribute to the economic development of both countries.
Alkhorayef stressed that the convening of the 12th session comes at an important time that requires intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors. The minister called on companies in both countries to build practical partnerships in promising industries and value chains. He also highlighted the outcomes of the third meeting, held in Tunisia in July 2025, namely the agreements on mutual recognition of product conformity certificates, which positively contributed to a 38% growth in trade exchange through September 2025 compared with the same period last year.
The committee’s current session focused on boosting cooperation mechanisms, discussing investment opportunities, and exchanging expertise in key sectors, including industry, mining, tourism, transport and logistics, and the judiciary and justice sectors. These efforts aimed to enhance trade efficiency, support the access of Saudi products to international markets, and strengthen economic and investment cooperation.
Minister Alkhorayef held official talks with Tunisian Minister Dr. Samir Abdelhafid on the sidelines of the 12th session of the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee. They discussed the ways to enhance economic and industrial integration between the two countries.
The discussions focused on expanding cooperation between the Kingdom and Tunisia across several strategic economic sectors, addressing challenges facing exporters and investors, and identifying appropriate solutions. The aim is to boost bilateral trade and support the sustainable development goals of both countries.
The meeting also highlighted the role of the joint committee in strengthening economic and industrial integration. The efforts of the working groups and government representatives on both sides were commended, and these resulted in the inclusion of nearly 100 items in the committee’s minutes. These covered 15 areas of cooperation across key sectors, most notably energy, industry, mining, logistics, trade, and human resource development.
