Riyadh Int’l Industry Week Connects 10,000 Leaders Worldwide

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalil bin Salamah speaks at the event. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalil bin Salamah speaks at the event. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh Int’l Industry Week Connects 10,000 Leaders Worldwide

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalil bin Salamah speaks at the event. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalil bin Salamah speaks at the event. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalil bin Salamah highlighted the Kingdom’s strong position in the industry globally, revealing that over 10,000 industrial leaders from around the world gathered at the Riyadh International Industry Week 2024, which kicked off on Monday.

Bin Salamah stressed that Saudi Arabia aims to boost its manufacturing sector, especially in specialized chemicals, which could greatly contribute to the economy by creating more jobs and increasing exports.

He said the strategy includes focusing on 39 priority commodities such as building chemicals and automotive components.

During the event's second day, held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center on Tuesday, the deputy minister emphasized Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the petrochemical industry, which plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and supporting related industries, such as automotive and pharmaceuticals.

Bin Salamah added that his ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Energy and other government bodies to strengthen the petrochemical supply chains in Saudi Arabia.

This involves ensuring a steady and competitive supply of petrochemical materials for producing specialized products, boosting growth, and exports in the sector.

They’re also focused on building specialized industrial complexes that link up with raw material sources or demand centers, offering infrastructure and services to specific industrial clusters.

They have various initiatives in place, including product development, promoting local content, and empowering exports.

“We aim to lead private sector investment in manufacturing industries and capitalize on the Kingdom’s rapid growth. Collaboration between basic and advanced companies is key to developing businesses, creating opportunities, and driving targeted transformation,” emphasized Bin Salameh.

“We're currently working on maximizing production capacities by integrating petrochemical supply chains. This involves addressing challenges related to petrochemical materials. We urge all sector companies to join us in tackling challenges and finding solutions,” he explained.

He stressed that Saudi Arabia aims to bolster its industrial base and diversify the economy, with private sector investment being crucial.



Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
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Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)

Mohammad Yaqoub, Assistant Director General for Business Development at Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), announced that Kuwait is actively working to boost investments in emerging sectors such as the management of government facilities, hospitals, and ports, including Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.

He added that his country is collaborating with Saudi Arabia on joint projects, notably the development of a railway linking the two nations.

Speaking at the 28th Annual Global Investment Conference in Riyadh, Yaqoub highlighted the 650-kilometer railway project, which is expected to cut travel time between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to under three hours. He clarified that this initiative is separate from the broader GCC railway network under development.

The official further emphasized Kuwait’s commitment to offering streamlined processes and incentives to attract foreign investment in critical sectors such as oil and gas, healthcare, education, and technology.

Since January 2015, the Gulf country has attracted cumulative foreign investments valued at approximately 1.7 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($5.8 billion). During the 2023–2024 fiscal year, KDIPA reported foreign investment inflows amounting to 206.9 million Kuwaiti dinars ($672 million).

Yaqoub stressed that KDIPA is focused on creating an investor-friendly environment by offering flexible incentives to attract international companies. He noted Saudi Arabia’s achievements in this area and highlighted his country’s efforts to provide comparable benefits to foreign investors.

He also expressed optimism about the potential for growth in foreign investments in Kuwait, emphasizing their role in advancing economic development in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yaqoub also underscored the strong synergy between the Kuwaiti and Saudi markets, which he said will help accelerate economic progress across the region.