SAUDI MAY INVEST $100BN IN INDIA
SAUDI ARABIA IS LOOKING AT MAKING INVESTMENTS IN AREAS OF ENERGY, REFINING, PETROCHEM, INFRA, AGRI, MINERALS, MINING
NEW DELHI: Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, is looking at investing $100 billion in India in areas of petrochemicals, infrastructure and mining among others, considering the country’s growth potential.
Saudi Ambassador Dr Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati has said India is an attractive investment destination for Saudi Arabia and it is eyeing long-term partnerships with New Delhi in key sectors such as oil, gas and mining.
“Saudi Arabia is looking at making investments in India potentially worth $100 billion in the areas of energy, refining, petrochemicals, infrastructure, agriculture, minerals and mining,” Al Sati told PTI in an interview.
He said Saudi Arabia’s biggest oil giant Aramco’s proposed partnership with Reliance Industries Ltd reflected the strategic nature of the growing energy ties between the two countries.
The envoy said investing in India’s value chain from oil supply, marketing, refining to petrochemicals and lubricants is a key part of Saudi Aramco’s global downstream strategy.
“In this backdrop, Saudi Aramco’s proposed investments in India’s energy sector such as the $44 billion West Coast refinery and petrochemical project in Maharashtra and long-term partnership with Reliance represent strategic milestones in our bilateral relationship,” he said.
The envoy said the vision 2030 of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will also result in significant expansion of trade and business between India and Saudi Arabia in diverse sectors.
Under vision 2030, Saudi Arabia plans to diversify the Saudi economy while reducing its economic dependence on petroleum products.
Saudi Arabia is a key pillar of India’s energy security, being a source of 17% or more of crude oil and 32% of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) requirements of India.
The envoy said more than 40 opportunities for joint collaboration and investments across various sectors have been identified between India and Saudi Arabia in 2019, adding the current bilateral trade of $34 billion will undoubtedly continue to increase.
“There is huge untapped potential available in merchandise trade, particularly in non-oil trade and we are enhancing cooperation in economic, commercial, investment, cultural and technological fields,” the envoy said.
Asked about Saudi Arabia’s plan to issue initial public offering (IPO) of Saudi Aramco’s stock, being seen as world’s largest IPO, he said it will open up the company to the wider world.
“Consistent with the vision 2030 goals, Saudi Aramco is pursuing new opportunities toward creating a world leading downstream sector in Saudi Arabia.”