Saudi Arabia launches advanced manufacturing center to boost industrial innovation
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has launched the Advanced Manufacturing and Production Center, a key initiative aimed at accelerating the Kingdom's industrial transformation through the adoption of advanced technologies and sustainable practices.
Unveiled on May 28, the center is set to play a central role in promoting efficiency, flexibility, and growth within the manufacturing sector. It will utilize technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution to localize production and enhance Saudi Arabia's competitiveness on the global stage.
The initiative also supports strategic industries while aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, the country's long-term plan to diversify its economy. A major focus is encouraging private sector collaboration to speed up the integration of emerging technologies into industrial operations.
The launch supports the National Industrial Strategy, introduced in October 2022, which aims to increase the number of factories in the Kingdom to approximately 36,000 by 2035. The strategy is designed to attract investment, scale up local production, and strengthen non-oil exports.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources is overseeing several projects to advance the Kingdom's industrial and logistical infrastructure, positioning Saudi Arabia as a key player in global manufacturing and trade.
'Adopting the latest industrial technologies raises the efficiency of our industrial sector and enhances its competitiveness regionally and globally,' said Khalil bin Ibrahim bin Salamah, deputy minister of industry and mineral resources for industrial affairs, in a post shared by the ministry on X.
In an accompanying video, the ministry reiterated the center's significance in meeting national goals: 'The Advanced Manufacturing and Production Center opens doors to industrial investment opportunities and stimulates the sector to adopt new manufacturing technologies within industrial facilities.'
The center is supported by several initiatives and programs, including the Future Factories Program, which aims to modernize 4,000 factories across the Kingdom. The FFP focuses on integrating advanced manufacturing systems to boost efficiency and build more resilient supply chains—particularly in critical sectors such as food and petrochemicals.
According to its official website, the center serves as a hub for industrial innovation, providing consultancy services, training, and technological solutions. It is dedicated to fostering sustainability and competitiveness across the manufacturing sector.
Through these efforts, the center is expected to significantly contribute to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals by localizing high-tech capabilities, attracting investment, and advancing the industrial sector's role in the nation's economic diversification.
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