Saudi Arabia Crown Prince, Italy Prime Minister ink agreement to establish Saudi-Italian Strategic Partnership Council

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, recently received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at his winter camp in AlUla. The Crown Prince welcomed the Italian Prime Minister, and Prime Minister Meloni expressed her delight at visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and meeting with the Crown Prince.

During their meeting at Bayt Al Shar, Prime Minister Meloni gained a deeper understanding of Saudi Arabia's rich heritage and culture. They discussed the relations between Saudi Arabia and Italy, opportunities to enhance cooperation across various sectors, and regional and international developments of mutual interest. Following the talks, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Meloni signed an agreement to establish the Saudi-Italian Strategic Partnership Council.

The Italian delegation included the Italian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Carlo Baldocci, the Italian Prime Minister's Diplomatic Advisor, Fabrizio Saggio, the Italian Prime Minister's Military Advisor, General Franco Federici, and other senior officials.

During the delegation's visit to Saudi Arabia, a high-level Saudi-Italian roundtable was held, attended by Prime Minister Meloni, Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, CEOs, private sector leaders, and representatives from major companies from both countries. The meeting underscored the growing partnership between the two nations and facilitated the signing of 26 Memorandums of Understanding across key sectors, including construction, renewable energy, cultural exchange, and advanced technology.

The two sides also explored prospects for cooperation in green energy, automotive manufacturing, infrastructure development, tourism, agri-food, solar and wind energy projects, sustainable tourism initiatives, and advanced construction technologies. Italian businesses emphasized their aim to capitalize on Saudi Arabia’s approximately 11.8 trillion Saudi riyal of domestic investment over the next six years. Heritage tourism was also a focus, with attendees highlighting Italy's expertise and Saudi Arabia's ambition to become a leading global tourism destination.

With Saudi Arabia planning to create 1.6 million tourism jobs by 2030, the Saudi-Italian partnership is poised to foster skills development, promote sustainable tourism, and expand private sector opportunities. In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s exports to Italy reached 18.5 billion Saudi riyals, driven mainly by mineral fuels and petrochemical products, while imports from Italy totaled 22 billion Saudi riyals, reflecting strong demand for Italian machinery, pharmaceuticals, and advanced engineering solutions.

In 2024, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued 63 investment licenses to Italian companies, a 110% increase over the previous year, highlighting Italy's growing interest in advanced manufacturing, construction, and renewable energy. During the visit, Prime Minister Meloni toured the Hegra archaeological site in AlUla, accompanied by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Madinah Region, Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi, Acting CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla Abeer Alakel, and several Saudi and Italian officials.

The visit to Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage site, highlighted significant archaeological and historical landmarks, including Qasr al-Farid and other sites dating back thousands of years. Following the visit, Prime Minister Meloni departed from AlUla, marking the conclusion of her visit to Saudi Arabia. She was seen off at AlUla International Airport by Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Madinah Region, Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi, and several other officials.