Saudi Arabia, Japan sign agreements in energy, agriculture, technology

By Mohammad Farid Mahmoud Abdullah and Hamdi Yildiz

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AA) – Saudi Arabia and Japan on Sunday signed 26 agreements and protocols in various areas, including renewable energy, technology, and agriculture.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with Saudi Arabia's Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih during his first stop on his Middle East tour in Saudi Arabia.

He will later visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Japan will establish collaboration with the three nations, aiming to uphold a free and open global order rooted in the rule of law, Kishida said on Twitter.

Kishida mentioned that his visit to Saudi Arabia aimed to strengthen the strategic partnership, emphasizing that Riyadh is an important strategic partner for Tokyo.

He stressed that there are 110 Japanese companies in Saudi Arabia and highlighted their commitment to working with Saudi Arabia in line with Vision 2030.

Saudi Vision 2030 is a strategic framework aimed at reducing Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism.

Al-Falih said that the 26 agreements and protocols focused on clean energy sectors, including renewable energy, hydrogen energy, space, technology, agriculture, entertainment, and artificial intelligence.

He said the agreements between the two countries will take the economic partnership to new levels in the future.

Prior to Kishida's visit, Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said in an interview with the official Saudi news agency that his country meets 40% of Japan's oil needs.

He mentioned that the energy relationship between the two countries has been ongoing for over half a century, with Saudi Arabia making energy purchases worth $3.2 billion from Japan, primarily in the areas of gas and petrochemicals.