Saudi Arabia and Tunisia Ink Five Cooperation Agreements in Riyadh

Historic 12th Joint Committee Session Concludes in Riyadh

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The 12th session of the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee concluded on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Riyadh, with the signing of five new agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at significantly enhancing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. The two-day session, which commenced on December 28 and ran through December 29, 2025, brought together high-level delegations from both nations to foster stronger economic and strategic partnerships.

Key Agreements Span Diverse Sectors

The newly signed documents cover a range of critical areas, reflecting a concerted effort to deepen collaboration. These include:

• An agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters.
• A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the postal sector.
• An MoU on mining cooperation between Tunisia's Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines and Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.
• A memorandum on radio and television cooperation between Tunisian national broadcasters and the Saudi Broadcasting Authority.
• An executive program for news exchange and partnership between the Tunis Afrique Presse agency and the Saudi Press Agency.

Officials Emphasize Strategic Partnership and Economic Growth

The meetings were co-chaired by Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef and Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh. Minister Abdelhafidh stated that the session marked 'a new step in strengthening the legal framework governing relations between the two countries.' Minister Al-Khorayef highlighted the significant opportunities for expanded cooperation, particularly within the framework of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, and stressed the importance of increasing joint investments.

Boosting Trade and Future Collaborations

Discussions during the committee session also focused on boosting trade volumes and activating the Joint Business Council. Non-oil trade between Saudi Arabia and Tunisia reached approximately $298 million (SAR1.12 billion) in 2024, demonstrating an average annual growth rate of 1.78% from 2019 to 2024. Officials noted that the third meeting of the Joint Working Group for Trade Cooperation in July 2025 contributed to a 38% increase in trade volume by September 2025 compared to the previous year. A private-sector forum was also scheduled for December 29, 2025, to further explore investment opportunities and strengthen bilateral partnerships. The Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee, established in 1998, serves as a foundational framework for strategic cooperation between the two nations.