Riyadh: The twelfth session of the Tunisian-Saudi Joint Committee commenced on Sunday in Riyadh, hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. The meeting is set to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation and establishing strategic partnerships between the two nations. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, the committee is co-chaired by Tunisia's Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Abdelhafidh, and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, with both national delegations in attendance. Abdelhafidh highlighted the session as an opportunity to deepen strategic collaboration amidst evolving regional and global dynamics. He pointed out that the Tunisian-Saudi Business Forum, scheduled for December 29, will be a key platform for fostering effective partnerships between the private sectors of both countries. Abdelhafidh also noted Saudi Arabia's ongoing support for Tunisia's development, particularly through financing proj ects in water management, irrigation, rural development, and environmental protection. He emphasized the increasing Saudi investment in Tunisia in sectors such as tourism, industry, agriculture, health, and education. Al-Khorayef highlighted the strong bilateral relations and described the Joint Committee, established in 1998, as an institutional framework to translate political goodwill into concrete programmes and joint initiatives. He expressed hope that the current session would lead to strategic projects and bilateral agreements driving mutual economic development. The committee is committed to overseeing implementation through dedicated working groups, defined timelines, and performance indicators. The minister emphasized the need for intensified coordination in growth-driving sectors, with a focus on mobilizing private-sector actors. He urged Tunisian and Saudi enterprises to build robust partnerships in high-potential industries and value chains. Al-Khorayef welcomed the outcomes of the third meetin g of the Joint Working Group on Trade Cooperation, held in Tunis in July 2025, including the mutual recognition agreement on product conformity certificates. He noted their tangible impact, particularly the 38% rise in bilateral trade volumes by the end of September 2025 compared with the same period in 2024.