Saudi Gazette report

ROME — Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman explored on Wednesday with the heads of major Italian industrial companies the promising opportunities for cooperation in the fields of military industries, research and development. They also discussed topics such as technology transfer and localization in accordance with Vision 2030.

The meeting came during the current official visit of Prince Khalid bin Salman to Italy to review bilateral relations, discuss opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, and discuss issues of common interest.

The meeting with the Italian companies was attended by Gen. Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili, chief of the General Staff; Dr. Khaled Al-Bayari, assistant minister for executive affairs; Hisham bin Saif, director general of the Minister's Office; Ibrahim Al-Suwaid, undersecretary of the Ministry for Procurement and Armament, and Maj. Gen. Eng. Abdul Hadi Al-Omari, military attaché at the Saudi embassy in Rome.

On the Italian side, the meeting was attended by Rtd Lt. Gen. Enzo Vecciarelli, advisor to the Minister for Military Industrial Policies, Stefano Pontecorvo, chairman of the Board of Directors of Leonardo, Biagio Mazzotta, chairman of the Board of Directors of Fincantieri, Enzo Benigni, chairman and CEO of ELT Group, and a number of senior officials in the companies.

On Tuesday, Prince Khalid bin Salman held an expanded bilateral meeting with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto. They reviewed prospects of bilateral cooperation in the defense field, as well as ways to enhance it and opportunities for its development. They also discussed regional and global developments and common issues.