
Saudi Arabia issued 322 industrial licenses in April, with 188 factories starting operations and more than 2,977 jobs expected, the ministry said.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources issued 322 industrial licenses in April, with 188 factories beginning operations during the month. The new projects are expected to create more than 2,977 jobs across the Kingdom, the ministry said.
The licenses span multiple sectors, including food processing, chemicals, and building materials. The ministry did not break down the job creation estimate by sector or region.
Saudi Arabia's industrial push is part of the broader Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy away from oil revenue. The government has set targets to increase the industrial sector's contribution to gross domestic product and boost non-oil exports.
April's license count is roughly in line with the monthly average over the past year, according to ministry data. The number of factories starting operations was slightly above the 12-month average of 175 per month.
The ministry has been streamlining approval processes and offering incentives to attract both domestic and foreign investment in manufacturing. Industrial cities managed by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) have expanded capacity to accommodate new facilities.
Job creation remains a key metric for the program. The 2,977 figure from April represents a modest contribution toward the broader target of creating hundreds of thousands of industrial jobs by 2030.
Foreign investment in Saudi industrial projects has picked up in recent quarters, with several international firms announcing manufacturing facilities in the Kingdom. The ministry did not specify how many of April's licenses went to foreign-owned entities.
The industrial sector faces headwinds from global supply chain disruptions and rising input costs, though the ministry has said demand for Saudi-made products remains strong in regional markets.
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