Saudi Arabia Assesses 8,000 Factories as Industrial Transformation Accelerates

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has evaluated 8,000 factories as part of its national push toward advanced manufacturing, with more than 300 now classified as advanced, a senior official confirmed.

Assistant Deputy Minister for Industrial Competitiveness and Advanced Manufacturing Ahmed Al-Zawawi told Al-Eqtisadiah that the assessments reflect growing momentum in the country’s drive to modernize its industrial base. The effort follows the launch of the Advanced Manufacturing and Production Center, which was established to speed up the transition toward more technologically capable operations across the sector.

Al-Zawawi said the ministry has conducted detailed evaluations for 1,500 factories, resulting in tailored transformation plans designed to guide each facility toward higher standards in production efficiency and modern industrial practices. These plans, he noted, aim to equip factories with the tools needed to strengthen performance and meet global benchmarks.

He highlighted that the ministry is expanding its support mechanisms, which include financial incentives, advisory services and dedicated development programs. “We currently have 180 accredited service providers, 80 of which were accredited this year,” he said. The goal is to increase that number to more than 1,000 by 2030, a move intended to reduce transformation costs for manufacturers and reinforce competitiveness at the international level.

Several key initiatives are already in place. Among them is the Basic Digitization Program, which offers support of up to SR2 million ($532,831) to help factories adopt essential digital solutions. Other assistance falls under the ministry’s Competitiveness Program, which provides loans and grants of up to SR40 million through the Industrial Development Fund for projects aimed at improving production capabilities.

Al-Zawawi stressed that these programs are designed to act as catalysts for growth within the industrial sector. By providing targeted resources and expanding the ecosystem of accredited service providers, he said the ministry hopes to create an environment where factories can adopt modern practices more effectively and strengthen their position in global markets.

Saudi Arabia has been prioritizing industrial modernization as part of its broader economic transformation strategy. The rapid increase in assessed factories and the expansion of support programs signal the government’s commitment to developing a competitive manufacturing sector equipped with advanced technologies and skilled service providers.

Al-Zawawi said he expects the continued rollout of incentives and national programs to accelerate progress over the coming years, helping the Kingdom advance toward its goals for a stronger, more efficient and globally competitive industrial landscape.