Canada-Saudi Arabia relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have enjoyed positive relations for over 50 years, grounded in shared interests in economic growth and diversification, regional and international security, global peace, and counterterrorism. As the only G20 member from the Arab world, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a valued security and economic partner for Canada and its allies.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plays a leading role in the Arab and Muslim worlds through its leadership in the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) headquartered in Jeddah, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh. Globally, the Kingdom holds unique significance as the Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina, the religious home for 1.6 billion Muslims. Each year, thousands of Canadians join millions of Muslims in performing the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Economically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest crude oil exporter and holds approximately 17% of global reserves, giving it significant influence through OPEC and OPEC+. Canada values its strong bilateral relationship, reinforced by high-level engagements, including calls and visits at the head of government and ministerial levels. As G7 chair in 2025, Canada engaged the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in multilateral discussions, highlighted by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s November 2025 visit to Canada, which underscored joint efforts on energy security, global stability, and deeper bilateral cooperation.
Canada is represented in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by its Embassy in Riyadh and an Honorary Consul in Jeddah. The Kingdom maintains an Embassy in Ottawa. The Canadian population in the Kingdom is growing rapidly, increasing from 13,000 in 2022 to 15,000 in 2024. Many Canadians work in Saudi and Canadian companies and institutions, forming a dynamic expatriate community that advances mutual interests.
Trade relations
Trade and investment remain central to Canada–Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relations. In 2024, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was Canada’s largest two-way trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa, with merchandise trade totaling approximately $4.1 billion ($2 billion in Canadian exports and $2.1 billion in imports). Top Canadian exports include defense products, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, pharmaceuticals, and industrial machinery. Energy products accounted for over 97% of Canadian imports from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Canadian companies are well positioned to expand in sectors aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, including agriculture, infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced technology, life sciences, and mining. Approximately 150 Canadian firms already maintain a long-term presence in the Kingdom, many with regional offices.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund (SWF), valued at over $1 trillion, is a key driver of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy away from oil and gas. This creates opportunities for Canadian companies in mining, AI, cleantech, agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure. Vision 2030 also includes Giga Projects such as smart cities, real estate developments, luxury and eco-tourism, and logistics hubs.
In November 2025, Canada hosted His Excellency Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to advance economic cooperation. Both countries agreed to launch negotiations toward a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), establishing a transparent framework for investors, and to reactivate the Joint Economic Commission (JEC), a treaty-based mechanism to promote trade and investment initiatives of mutual benefit.
Canadian companies are supported by:
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Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Saudi Arabia work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
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