Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources delivers

Amman, November 23, SPA--The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral
Resources of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi,
emphasized the importance of the second consultative meeting of Arab
ministers concerned with the affairs of mineral resources in Amman
today, noting that the meeting aims to discuss ways of developing the
mineral resources sector in the Arab world, increasing its
contribution to our national economies, and achieving Arab
integration within the system of a joint Arab action.

In a speech delivered at the meeting, Minister Al-Naimi pointed
out that the abundant mineral resources and their diversity in the
Arab world represent a strategically important dimension as minerals
are considered a feeding artery for manufacturing industries and
their products are used in all the requirements and needs of life,
which require redoubling of efforts to overcome obstacles to the
development of the mining sector, creation of the appropriate
investment environment and promotion of economic integration of this
sector . He indicated that this meeting is taking place in great
conditions and changes witnessed by the world today.
The minister called for exerting more efforts to achieve Arab
integration in the mining sector to enable the Arabs to play a
leading role globally and to provide welfare and prosperity for Arab
citizens.
He announced the transfer of the presidency of Arab
Conference of Mineral Resources to Jordan's Minister of Energy and
Mineral Resources.
--SPA