The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto van Klaveren, announced that Chile will reopen its embassy in Saudi Arabia, during a formal meeting he held with that country’s ambassador, Khalid Al Salloom.
The diplomatic headquarters had been closed since 1996 and it is estimated that it will reopen its doors in the last quarter of 2024 or in the first quarter of 2025. At the meeting, the chancellor highlighted that, for Chile, deepening bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia will allow it to expand its presence in an area with relevant economic opportunities, and in which it currently has limited diplomatic representation and moderate commercial exchange.
It should be noted that Saudi authorities and investors have expressed their interest in investing in Chile in mining, public infrastructure and agribusiness, as well as in projects and technology in the renewable energy sector. Meanwhile, Chile is interested in strengthening ties with public and private investors from Saudi Arabia to explore and develop investment initiatives in areas of shared interest.
Saudi Arabia is also home to organizations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council, which opens the opportunity to expand trade and investment possibilities.