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Visit of Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Government of India, to Saudi Arabia

Posted on: September 06, 2022 | Back | Print

Press Release

Visit of Minister of Health and  Family Welfare and Minister of Chemicals and
Fertilisers, Government of India, to Saudi Arabia

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers visited  Riyadh on Thursday, August 25, 2022. His visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation with India in the fields of Chemicals and Fertilizers. He led a high powered delegation which included Ms. Arti Ahuja, Secretary – Fertilisers, and heads of premier petrochemical and fertilizer companies in India. The ministerial delegation comprised of  Mr. Mukesh Puri,  Managing Director, Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd, Mr. Nirlep Singh Rai, Managing Director, National Fertilizers Limited, Mr. Rajan Chowdhry, Managing Director, KRIBHCO, Mr. Gaurav Mathur, Managing Director, CFCL, Mr. S. Sankarasubramanian, President, Nutrient Business, Coromandel International Limited and Dr. P.S. Gahlaut, Managing Director, IPL. The companies signed Joint Declaration of Importation and Projects Collaborations with SABIC and Maaden for long term supplies of fertilisers and petrochemicals.

2. During his visit, Dr.Mandaviya met the Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, His Excellency Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen A. AlFadley and discussed the ways to further Indo-Saudi partnership in the field of Environment, sustainable development and agriculture. India and Saudi Arabia are already working together, to counter climate change, under the institution of International Solar Alliance formed by India. 

3. Dr. Mandaviya visited the Headquarters of SABIC where he was received by Mr.Yousef Abdullah Al-Benyan, Vice Chairman and CEO of SABIC. He congratulated SABIC and Indian companies for signing the Memorandum of Understandings and also discussed avenues to boost India-Saudi partnership in the fields of fertilizers and petrochemicals

4. Dr.Mandaviya had discussions with the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, His Excellency Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef on mechanisms to strengthen partnership in the industries of health-care, pharmaceutical, petrochemicals and fertilizers. The two Ministers also witnessed the signing of MoUs between Maaden and Indian companies- IPL, KRIBHCO, Coromandel and GSFC. His Excellency Mr.  AlKhorayef hosted a dinner in honour of Minister and accompanying delegation

5. With these MoUs, Indian companies have secured a 2.5 million tonnes annual supply of key raw materials like ammonia & finished fertilizers like DAP, NPKs for the next 3 years. This will add even more energy to India-Saudi Arabia friendship & benefit  Indian farmers.

Furthermore, a joint declaration was made between KRIBHCO and Maaden to commit for long term supply up to one million MT of DAP /NPKs per annum to India. The collaboration includes also joint development in agronomy  logistics solutions and product development to support farmers in India and Saudi Arabia.

India is a key export destination for Saudi Arabia as it is one of the largest market for Saudi fertilizers. Chemicals and Fertilizers also figure among the top trading commodities between India and Saudi Arabia. The visit holds immense significance as it comes in the aftermath of the current crises in Ukraine and will contribute towards further strengthening our bilateral ties.