Saudi Arabia Building Strong Relations With BRICS Member Countries, Industry Minister Says

RIYADH (Sputnik) - Saudi Arabia became a new member of BRICS on January 1. The country is yet to formalize its membership in the association, although it is participating in BRICS meetings.
Sputnik
Saudi Arabia has strong economic relations with the BRICS member countries, the kingdom's Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Alkhorayef, told Sputnik.

"Saudi Arabia has strong cooperation with the BRICS countries. The kingdom works with these countries to a large extent, and there are serious points of contact with some of them, especially with South Africa, which has a lot of experience in the mining industry," Alkhorayef said.

The minister added that the kingdom is working with South Africa to attract companies servicing the sector. He underscored that among the BRICS members, Brazil is also an important partner for the kingdom in the industrial sector, in food security, pharmaceuticals, and mining.
Sub-Saharan Africa
With BRICS Expanded, Global South Gains Strength, SA President Ramaphosa Says on BRICS Summit 2024
In addition, Alkhorayef said Saudi Arabia expects the mentioned countries to build long-term partnerships, "not just a relationship between a customer and a supplier or an exporter and an importer." He noted that the kingdom would like to engage in integration and exchange experience and technology with them.