Carney concludes his official visit to Saudi Arabia and leaves Jeddah after talks with the Crown Prince

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney left the city of Jeddah today, Friday, concluding his official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after a series of official meetings led by his discussions with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The visit witnessed discussions on ways to enhance bilateral relations between Canada and the Kingdom, with a special focus on expanding cooperation in the fields of investment, energy, minerals, defense, and artificial intelligence, alongside discussing a number of regional and international issues of common interest.

An official farewell ceremony was held for the Canadian Prime Minister at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, where at the forefront of those bidding him farewell were the Deputy Emir of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, and Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan.

The farewell ceremony was also attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Canada Amal bint Yahya Al-Muallem, the Canadian Ambassador to the Kingdom Jean-Philippe Linteau, along with the Director of Makkah Region Police Major General Saleh Al-Jabri, the General Director of the Royal Protocol Office in Makkah Region Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Dhafer, and a number of officials.

Carney’s visit is the first by a Canadian Prime Minister to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in more than a quarter of a century, reflecting the desire of the two countries to open a new chapter of relations based on expanding economic and investment partnerships, and enhancing cooperation in strategic sectors that are a priority for both sides.

The visit comes within the framework of the Canadian government's efforts to diversify its trade and investment partnerships, and strengthen its presence in Middle Eastern markets, in parallel with Saudi interest in attracting international investments and expertise to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.