Saudi signs $265m deal with China to fight virus

Saudi Arabia will pay China SAR995m ($264.6m) to provide coronavirus tests and medical expertise, Abdullah Al-Rabiah, chairman of the Negotiation and Purchase Committee said Sunday, citing a royal decree.

The deal will provide the Saudis nine million kits with a capacity to test 50,000 people per day. China will also help the kingdom with 500 medical experts, running six laboratories, including a portable lab.

The committee has also purchased tests from other companies in the US, Switzerland and South Korea, bringing the number of targeted tests to 14.5 million — roughly 40 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s population.

The kingdom has reported 17,522 virus cases, including 139 fatalities. It has only recently relaxed curfew rules in some parts for the holy month of Ramadan.