Industry Ministry explores opportunities in India to localize high-value industries

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Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Affairs Khalil bin Ibrahim bin Salamah held a series of high-level government meetings and private sector engagements during his visit to India, aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries.

The four-day visit, which included New Delhi and Tamil Nadu, also aimed to expand strategic partnerships in high-value industries, primarily automotive, chemicals, textiles, and advanced manufacturing technologies, while supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, state-run news agency SPA reported.

Khalil met with the minister for industries, investment promotion and commerce in Tamil Nadu, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and the Ministry of Textiles.

These meetings explored ways to deepen bilateral relations in the industrial sector and discussed mutual opportunities in automotive manufacturing, textiles, and chemical industries. Additionally, they focused on enhancing collaboration in research, innovation, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

The vice minister also held bilateral meetings with leaders of major Indian companies, including Jindal Saw, Chemdist, Minerva, ACE Group, SSEPL, Keuro Life, and Cipla Pharma. These discussions centered on expanding investment partnerships and attracting high-value investments in advanced industries such as automotive components, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and industrial technologies.

In addition, he chaired several roundtable discussions with executives from over 20 leading Indian industrial companies. These included a roundtable on auto parts companies held in collaboration with the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India, a roundtable with prominent textile industry companies, and discussions with automotive manufacturing firms.

During his visit, the vice minister toured several Indian research and innovation centers, including the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ashok Leyland’s R&D Center specializing in innovative automotive solutions, and the globally renowned Indian Institute of Technology, recognized for advanced industrial innovation and technologies. He reviewed the latest industrial research and innovations and discussed opportunities for exchanging expertise as well as transferring knowledge and technology between the two nations.