Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, announced that the Kingdom’s industrial sector has achieved unprecedented leaps forward, affirming the success of the strategic plans stemming from Vision 2030 in transforming the country into a leading industrial power regionally and globally. This came during his participation in the government press conference, where he presented the latest figures and indicators reflecting the sector’s growth and strength.
A strategic shift in the structure of the national economy
These figures are the culmination of concerted efforts that began with the launch of Vision 2030, which primarily aimed to diversify income sources and reduce the historical reliance on oil as the sole engine of the economy. The industrial sector is a key pillar of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), which seeks to make the Kingdom a global industrial and logistics hub. This transformation is not limited to increasing figures; it also includes the transfer and localization of advanced technologies and the strengthening of local supply chains, thus giving the Saudi economy greater resilience in the face of global economic fluctuations.
Record numbers: 12,000 factories and export growth
Al-Khurayyif revealed a significant increase in the number of industrial establishments, jumping from 8,000 in 2019 to a record high of over 12,000 by mid-2025. This substantial expansion of the industrial base has directly and automatically impacted the volume of the Kingdom's industrial exports, which have risen from 187 billion riyals to 220 billion riyals . This increase strengthens the position of Saudi products in global markets, confirms the competitiveness of national products and their ability to penetrate new markets, and contributes to improving the non-oil trade balance.
Social implications: Localization of jobs and empowerment of personnel
In discussing the direct social and economic impact on citizens, the Minister explained that the Saudization rate in the industrial sector has witnessed a tangible improvement, rising from 29% in 2019 to 31% . He affirmed that the sector has successfully created approximately 360,000 new jobs, bringing the total number of job opportunities in the industrial sector to 840,000 . This growth in employment effectively contributes to reducing unemployment rates and empowering national talent to lead this vital sector, reflecting the success of human capital development programs accompanying the industrial renaissance.
Advanced infrastructure and massive government funding
Al-Khurayyif highlighted the significant development in industrial infrastructure, noting that the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) has successfully increased the number of industrial cities from 31 to 42 , creating an attractive environment for both local and foreign investments. Regarding financial support, he explained that the Saudi Industrial Development Fund has provided loans and credit facilities totaling approximately 93 billion riyals since the launch of Vision 2030 until the end of last October, while the Saudi Export-Import Bank has provided financing exceeding one billion riyals since its establishment. This reflects the government's generous support for the private sector to become a key partner in development.
Enhancing local content and the future of industry
The minister concluded his remarks by highlighting the significant increase in the local content percentage in government procurement, which rose from 28% to 51.5% , reflecting the government's confidence in and preference for Saudi products. He also mentioned the launch of the comprehensive guide, which includes 120 industrial enablers, and emphasized the "Made in Saudi Arabia 2025" exhibition, which aims to solidify the Kingdom's industrial identity. These indicators confirm that the Kingdom is steadily progressing towards achieving self-sufficiency in several vital sectors and strengthening its position as a key player on the global industrial stage.
