Minister Alkhorayef visits North Carolina to advance industrial collaboration and innovation.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Alkhorayef, has concluded an official visit to the United States. As part of the four-day trip, the minister focused on exploring advanced manufacturing technologies in North Carolina. His visit aimed to strengthen international partnerships and accelerate the Kingdom’s industrial transformation.
The minister toured North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park (RTP) and met with Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley. Key visits included North Carolina State University’s Energy X Lab and Center for Additive Manufacturing and Logistics (CAMAL). He also visited the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Institute, where discussions focused on digital twins and machine learning to optimise factory operations.
These engagements provided a practical demonstration of U.S. expertise in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies. The minister’s discussions highlighted how technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced robotics can complement Saudi Arabia’s national programmes. These efforts directly support the ambitious National Industrial Strategy (NIS) and Vision 2030.
The visit underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building a competitive, sustainable industrial economy. By engaging with American institutions, the Kingdom aims to benchmark global best practices and attract high-quality industrial investments. These initiatives will help diversify the national economy and create high-value job opportunities.
Source: Saudi Press Agency (SPA)
