New Achievements in China-Saudi Arabia Economic And Trade Cooperation: From Exhibition Platforms To Deep Integration

Amidst the evolving global economic landscape, economic cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia is becoming increasingly close and diversified. The series of exhibitions hosted by MIC International in Saudi Arabia serves as a bridge, connecting businesses between the two countries and the wider region, creating countless opportunities for businesses on both sides.

Leveraging its extensive experience in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East over the years, MIC International, through meticulously planned and organized business negotiation services, has successfully helped numerous Chinese foreign trade companies deeply integrate into the overseas domestic market, earning widespread acclaim from Chinese suppliers. MIC International achieved significant breakthroughs at the Saudi Dammam Building Materials Exhibition (CIDEX) and the BIG5 Global Middle East Industry Exhibition, held in September 2025. These exhibitions attracted over a thousand suppliers, significantly increasing their scale and influence, successfully breaking through the competition. Particularly notable was the participation of numerous well-known Middle Eastern companies, including the Saudi Royal Commission, SABIC, and Saudi JSG. As the Saudi royal family's asset management representative, the Saudi Royal Commission not only controls Saudi Arabia's most vital land resources but also holds the controlling stake in Aramco, a Fortune 500 company. The participation of these industry giants has created a broader platform for cooperation for Chinese suppliers seeking to expand overseas, providing an opportunity to collaborate with strong and promising partners.

Saudi JSG, a highly capable local company with 20 years of experience in the Saudi market, holds numerous restrictive licenses in Saudi Arabia, including power generation, desalination, and real estate, and holds a significant position in the local business landscape. Its business spans a wide range of sectors, including power generation, infrastructure construction, petrochemicals, new energy, and real estate, encompassing project design consulting, engineering general contracting, operations and maintenance, and development and investment. In recent years, while consolidating its presence in Saudi Arabia, Saudi JSG has actively expanded into other Middle Eastern and African regions, focusing on mineral resources and gradually developing a strategic position for transcontinental development. In 2024, Saudi JSG successfully won the bid for a 25-year operating license for the Saudi National Desalination Company's Ras Al Khair project to process 380,000 tons of brine per day. This project is of great significance. In the Ras Al Khair region, its scale is second only to China Baowu Group's 5 million-ton steel plant investment project, and it is a major Chinese-led project. However, progress has not been smooth sailing. In the year since winning the bid, Saudi JSG has faced numerous challenges, including adjustments to Saudi national policies. However, the company proactively addressed these challenges and engaged in arduous coordination with various Saudi parties. Ultimately, the company recently secured approval for project reserve land in the core area of Ras Al Khair, reserved by the Saudi Royal Commission. This progress has laid a solid foundation for the project's continued progress. At the MIC Building Materials Exhibition, a high-level delegation from the Saudi Royal Commission participated and signed a land development and construction agreement with Saudi JSG. The signing of this agreement marks the official entry of the 380,000-ton brine project in Ras Al Khair into the substantive development phase. Under the guidance of the Saudi Royal Commission, all aspects of the project in Saudi Arabia will be actively promoted and effectively implemented. The successful launch of this project is not only a significant milestone in the development of Saudi JSG, but also a clear banner for Saudi Arabia's investment promotion efforts. It demonstrates Saudi Arabia's commitment and ability to attract foreign investment and implement projects globally, creating a favorable environment for attracting more Chinese investment and opening up a broader market for current and future suppliers participating in the MIC.

Saudi Arabia has been committed to economic transformation in recent years. Its "Vision 2030" aims to promote industrial diversification and reduce over-reliance on the oil industry. Guided by this ambitious strategy, the Saudi government has actively introduced a series of preferential policies to attract global investment. For example, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) established in Jazan and Ras Al Khair offer companies extremely attractive investment conditions, including a 20-year corporate income tax of only 5%, duty-free imports of raw materials and equipment, and comprehensive government-supported infrastructure and facilitation policies. These policies have significantly increased Saudi Arabia's attractiveness for global investment in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, petrochemicals, and metalworking.

From the Chinese perspective, many companies have actively responded to the Belt and Road Initiative and are continuously expanding into overseas markets. Chinese companies hold significant advantages in the construction and building materials sector, with products covering a wide range of categories, including cement, steel, and construction machinery. At relevant exhibitions in 2024, Chinese companies such as Gree and XCMG successfully secured over 700 deals through their participation, fully demonstrating the competitiveness of Chinese products in the Saudi market. Furthermore, innovative product systems and green building material solutions showcased by companies like 3Trees at Saudi Arabia's five major industry exhibitions have garnered significant attention in the local market, further demonstrating the ability of Chinese companies to meet the diverse needs of the Saudi and Middle Eastern markets.

The economic cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia is built on seemingly small yet significant elements. From suppliers' small booths at exhibitions to small orders secured to successfully implemented investment projects, these small contributions form a solid foundation for long-term cooperation between the two countries. With the continued deepening of exchanges and collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, and project cooperation, we have reason to believe that China and Saudi Arabia will work together on the path of economic development to create a more prosperous future, bring greater benefits to the people of both countries, and contribute positively to the prosperity and development of the global economy.