Carney looks to deepen bilateral trade in Saudi Arabia visit

Prime Minister Mark Carney is looking to deepen bilateral trade and investment while in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

In an effort to move past a 2018 diplomatic dispute where both countries withdrew their ambassadors, Canada has been working to repair its bilateral relationship.

Trade talks failed after former prime minister Justin Trudeau criticized Saudi Arabia’s laws and women’s rights. The two countries didn’t restore their ambassadors until 2023.

Carney’s meetings on Thursday are expected to include Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, Bandar al Khorayef, the Industry and Mineral Resources Minister and Bob Wilt, the head of Saudi state-owned mining company Ma’aden.

At the Saudi Arabia-Canada Investment Forum, Carney will participate in a signing ceremony.

The prime minister is wrapping up a weeklong Middle East trip after arriving in Jeddah on Wednesday night following a NATO summit held in Ankara, Turkey on Tuesday.

With Files From The Canadian Press

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