August 14, 2025
by Vision 2030 seeks to provide the Kingdom with a renewed path toward a diversified, knowledge-based, and sustainable economy, reducing its dependence on oil, and increasing the well-being of Saudi society. Manufacturing industries and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 seek to create a strong economy based on local production, innovation, and a strong ability to keep pace with global standards. Industrial transformation forms the foundation of the economic diversification plan, as it drives non-oil GDP, opens opportunities to attract investment, creates jobs, and generates long-term economic sustainability.
What are manufacturing industries?
Manufacturing industries and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transform raw materials into value-added products, such as petrochemical, metallurgical, food, electronics, automotive, and defense industries. Traditional manufacturing relies on manual processes or simple equipment, while modern manufacturing employs advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things to achieve higher efficiency, better quality, and faster market response.
Industrial Transformation in Saudi Arabia
The manufacturing industries and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 are based on a national strategy that encourages the construction of specialized industrial cities, supports local manufacturing, and attracts global technology to create an advanced industrial mix. Artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and smart systems have been integrated into factories, increasing productivity and reducing costs. Initiatives such as “Factories of the Future” are being implemented to upgrade thousands of large facilities to keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
National Industrial Development Program (NIDP)
The National Industrial Development and Logistics Program is one of the most important programs for achieving Vision 2030. Launched in 2019, it covers the vital sectors of energy, mining, industry, and logistics in the manufacturing industries and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. These services are among the most important services provided recently to help the industry develop significantly.
Contribution of Manufacturing Industries to Vision 2030 Goals
The manufacturing industries and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 contribute to achieving its goals, most notably:
- Economic diversification, diversifying sources of growth, and reducing dependence on oil, thus driving the economy toward sustainability.
- Job creation, as the manufacturing sector provides numerous new opportunities for the Saudi workforce.
- Innovation and technology embrace digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and automation of industrial processes.
- Sustainability increases clean industries, including renewable energy and sustainable circular practices.
- The industrial sector contributes approximately 14% of GDP, with high productivity growth and new industrial units.
- The Kingdom has launched initiatives such as “Factories of the Future” to modernize approximately 4,000 factories using smart technologies.
- The Alat program supports modern industries through massive investments amounting to billions of dollars, creating thousands of jobs.
- Mega-industrial cities such as Jubail, Yanbu, KAEC, and the East Coast have been established, strengthening advanced infrastructure and integrating with maritime and railway transportation.
- The Kingdom witnessed an increase in industrial establishments from approximately 7,206 in 2016 to 11,549 in 2023, an increase of nearly 60%.
Impact of Technology on Manufacturing Industries
As a result of industrial technology, efficiency and productivity in manufacturing industries and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 have increased. Product quality has also improved, and smart technologies have contributed to reducing waste, improving operations, and increasing production flexibility. Industries such as electronics, electric vehicles, and aerospace have become part of the NIDLP ecosystem. Initiatives to digitize factories, streamline procedures, and develop logistics infrastructure have led to an improved business environment and attracted global investment.
Saudi Arabia’s Future in Manufacturing Industries
The Kingdom offers an attractive investment environment in industrial cities and special economic zones, with incentives that encourage the private sector and a strong investment drive in green technologies and electronic manufacturing, promising sustainable economic returns. The Kingdom is also witnessing a surge in industrial licenses with the opening of new factories. For example, 83 industrial licenses were issued and 58 factories were opened in June 2025, with investments exceeding SAR 950 million.
The number of factories is expected to rise to approximately 36,000 by 2035, aiming to increase industrial and non-oil output. The NIDLP has also helped drive non-oil GDP growth by up to 39% in 2024.
Conclusion: Manufacturing Industries as a Pillar of Vision 2030
Ultimately, the Kingdom is demonstrating a real industrial transformation in manufacturing and Vision 2030, increasing job opportunities and focusing on innovation, technology, and sustainability. Programs like NIDLP and initiatives like ALT and “Made in Saudi Arabia” are eliminating old industrial sectors and opening new ones. The future horizon requires government stakeholders, the private sector, investors, and educational institutions to engage and collaborate to improve this industrial transformation.
It also requires financial support, research and development, and technology incentives. The International Transformation Conference and Exhibition 2025, scheduled from September 30 to October 2 in Bahrain, under the theme “Energy Innovation and Sustainable Value Creation,” is an ideal platform for networking and monitoring industrial developments. It aligns with the goals of Vision 2030 to improve sustainability and innovation by sharing experiences and attracting exhibitors and industry experts.
FAQS
What is the relationship between industry and Vision 2030?
Industry is a fundamental pillar for achieving Vision 2030 because it supports economic diversification, reduces dependence on oil, creates job opportunities, and increases the global competitiveness of the Saudi economy through innovation and investment in modern technologies.
What is Industrial Transformation?
Industrial transformation is a process developing and modernizing industrial sectors using Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, such as digitization and artificial intelligence, to increase productivity and efficiency and support sustainable economic growth.
What is the National Industrial Development Program?
The National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) is a Vision 2030 initiative to improve local industries in the energy, mining, manufacturing, and logistics sectors, attract investment, and stimulate innovation.
What are manufacturing industries?
Manufacturing industries are sectors that transform raw materials into finished or semi-finished products with added value, such as petrochemicals, food, metals, and electronics.
What are modern industries?
Modern industries rely on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, and automation to develop production, improve quality, and increase global competitiveness.
What are the results of using technology in industry?
The use of technology in industry increases production efficiency, reduces costs and waste, improves product quality, and speeds up order fulfillment, thus increasing competitiveness locally and internationally.
What are modern technologies?
Modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, 3D printing, robotics, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things, are being used to improve production processes and services.
What is the role of technology in business development?
The manufacturing industry and Saudi Vision 2030 help accelerate task completion, improve process accuracy, reduce errors, and enhance innovation within organizations, leading to business growth and the efficient achievement of development goals.