TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their economic and cultural ties during a reception in Taipei on Tuesday marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of the kingdom.

Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Chih-chung (吳志中) praised Saudi Arabia as Taiwan’s top trading partner in the Middle East and its 17th largest overall. He noted that bilateral trade reached NT$9.4 billion (US$320 million) in 2024, with Saudi oil accounting for nearly one-third of Taiwan’s crude imports.

Wu said the kingdom’s stable energy supply was essential to Taiwan’s industrial growth, per the foreign ministry. He pledged to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, agriculture and tourism.

Mohammed S. A. Alghamdi, the new representative at the Saudi Arabian Trade Office in Taipei, pointed out the economic transformation of Saudi Arabia, saying the country had joined the ranks of the world’s top 20 economies.

The foreign ministry stressed the importance of expanding its presence in Islamic markets. This year, pilgrimage groups organized by Taiwan’s Chinese Muslim Association and Taipei Grand Mosque Foundation traveled to Saudi Arabia and completed the Hajj without incident.

Officials said Taipei will continue to pursue mutually beneficial cooperation with Riyadh, reinforcing long-standing cultural and economic links while promoting shared development.