Al-Khorayef: Saudi Arabia Seeking to Localize Large Range of Pharmaceutical Industries

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef speaks at the Global Health Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef speaks at the Global Health Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Al-Khorayef: Saudi Arabia Seeking to Localize Large Range of Pharmaceutical Industries

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef speaks at the Global Health Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef speaks at the Global Health Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef revealed that around 8,000 types of medicines are consumed in the Kingdom, highlighting that the country has identified a set of priorities, focusing on approximately 172 medicines and localizing the production of around 42 of them.

During a panel discussion on the first day of the 7th edition of the Global Health Forum, held in Riyadh on Monday, Al-Khorayef stated that Saudi Arabia offers significant facilitation for industrialization and localization, with a clear framework for enablers and incentives to encourage investors and stakeholders to enter the healthcare sector.

The ministry is collaborating with various sectors to develop industries in the Kingdom, with the goal of positioning the country as a global hub for vaccine manufacturing, he noted.

The minister pointed to “ongoing discussion about identifying global vaccine manufacturing locations, and we aim for Saudi Arabia to be one of these key areas.”

Al-Khorayef explained that the Vaccine and Biological Medicines Industry Committee has already become the central body managing investment attraction and localizing this industry. This provides global partners with a clear understanding of the Kingdom’s requirements and the market opportunities, offering them a clear point of reference for localizing the sector.

He further emphasized that Saudi Arabia has developed local content tools to facilitate technology transfer, ensuring that companies entering the local market will be successful and sustainable.

Al-Khorayef highlighted the growth in medical device manufacturing plants in the Kingdom, which increased from 54 to 150, while pharmaceutical factories grew from 42 to 56.

He also pointed out that advanced technologies, such as 3D printing, align well with the Saudi market. These technologies offer exceptional solutions to assist doctors and healthcare providers and have already reached advanced stages in their use for certain surgeries.

Additionally, the Kingdom is building a broad industrial base, a significant part of which will support the medical device sector, including industries such as metals, advanced petrochemicals, and chemical pharmaceuticals.



Saudi EXIM Hosts Global Risk Experts Meeting in Riyadh

The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
TT

Saudi EXIM Hosts Global Risk Experts Meeting in Riyadh

The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA

The Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) hosted the Berne Union's Country Risk Specialist Meeting, providing a platform for experts and thought leaders in risk management from the export credit community.
At the meeting, which took place from November 19 to 21 in Riyadh, the attendees exchanged best practices to better protect the industry amid shifting global dynamics.
According to a statement issued by the Saudi EXIM on Saturday, the event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions.
By strengthening institutional resilience, the industry is ready to turn global economic challenges into opportunities for economic prosperity, said the statement, adding that it played a crucial role in advancing global trade, strengthening international cooperation, and developing credit solutions that empower export activities while controlling risk, SPA reported.
According to the statement, discussions centered on critical risks impacting international trade and the global economy, such as debt sustainability and geopolitical tensions, along with innovative approaches to risk modelling. Participants also explored the global shifts in infrastructure, energy and critical minerals sectors, and were given an overview of Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Strategy, which focuses on economic diversification through investments, developing new sectors, and promoting local industries.
In his opening remarks, Saudi EXIM CEO Eng. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalb said the meeting is an ideal platform to address risks impacting global economic decision making.
He stated: "Through such meetings, we can turn challenges into strategic opportunities and enhance our resilience in an ever-changing world. At Saudi EXIM, we remain committed to enabling companies by offering expert financial and non-financial solutions to navigate risks effectively."
He also said that "at Saudi EXIM, we place great emphasis on risk management. In alignment with the main objective of this meeting, I am pleased to announce the completion of our independent country risk model, which is supported by advanced modelling tools and machine learning. This model will provide country ratings and predictions of default risks. We look forward to collaborating with our partners in other export credit agencies to exchange knowledge and expertise, and to strengthening our risk management functions with greater responsibility and effectiveness."
Associate Director at Berne Union Eve Hall said: "The global risk landscape today is highly volatile and highly interconnected. As we navigate our way around the ongoing transformations connected to energy transition and shifting industrial strategies, the traditional concept of 'country risk' is becoming increasingly complex. Our industry excels at understanding, quantifying and pricing these risks, and by bringing together this community of experts for technical exchange the Berne Union is able to help support the development of the industry as a whole. The initiatives announced by our colleagues at Saudi EXIM, making use of new technology in risk analysis, provide a fantastic example of where collaboration in this field can be effectively applied."
The statement disclosed that Saudi EXIM's membership in Berne represents a significant strategic step, and is consistent with the Kingdom's commitment to expanding collaboration and integration in the global economy.
This is achieved by building partnerships with leading institutions to address the challenges facing the export credit sector. It also aligns with the bank's goal of developing the export of national products and services through partnerships with national and international financial and funding organizations.
Berne Union works with global trade organizations to encourage the adoption of best practices in export credit insurance, and to cooperate in maintaining the stability of global trade.
Saudi EXIM, a development bank under the National Development Fund, contributes to diversifying the Kingdom's economic base by improving the efficiency of non-oil export ecosystems, bridging financial gaps, and minimizing export risks. This plays a role in helping the non-oil national economy grow, in line with Vision 2030.