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The Saudi Press Agency reported that King Salman relieved Bandar bin Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al-Khorayef of his duties as minister of industry and mineral resources on Saturday. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received the appointment to that ministry in addition to his ongoing responsibilities as minister of energy. The royal orders also designated Al-Khorayef as a minister of state and member of the Council of Ministers.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, Al-Khorayef will serve concurrently as acting governor of the General Authority for Military Industries. The orders followed the dismissal of Eng. Ahmad Al-Ohali from the governor position at the authority. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman has held the energy ministry since September 2019 when a prior royal decree placed him in the role.
The Saudi Press Agency listed further appointments that included naming Ehsan Bafaqeeh as mayor of Jeddah. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Mutlaq took the post of deputy minister of justice under the same set of orders. These shifts form part of routine adjustments across government entities.
In changes at the Saudi Central Bank, the royal orders appointed Talal Al-Hamoud as deputy governor for technical affairs. Abdulilah Al-Duhaim assumed the position of deputy governor for executive affairs at the bank. The Saudi Press Agency distributed the full text of the decrees that outlined all transitions.
Shalaan bin Shalaan received reassignment from deputy public prosecutor to adviser at the Royal Court under the directives published by the Saudi Press Agency. The agency noted that the orders took effect immediately upon issuance. Saudi Arabia has conducted multiple cabinet adjustments in recent years to support implementation of national development programs.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources drives key elements of the Vision 2030 framework that targets substantial growth in the industrial and mining sectors. Official Vision 2030 documents project the mining sector to contribute 64 billion Saudi riyals to gross domestic product by 2030. The appointment aligns with continued emphasis on experienced leadership in economic diversification initiatives.
