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High Prospects for Saudi-Korean Cooperation in Establishing Industrial Cities

The Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources during his meeting with his Korean counterpart in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources during his meeting with his Korean counterpart in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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High Prospects for Saudi-Korean Cooperation in Establishing Industrial Cities

The Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources during his meeting with his Korean counterpart in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources during his meeting with his Korean counterpart in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Riyadh and Seoul reviewed the horizons for cooperation in industrial development on Thursday, especially collaboration on transferring the expertise of establishing and managing industrial cities in South Korea.

Cooperation was discussed during a meeting between the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Al-Khorayef, and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea Moon Seung-wook, who is currently visiting the Kingdom.

Moon arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for a three-day visit at the Saudi minister’s invitation.

During the meeting, Al-Khorayef highlighted the industrial and mining sectors, as well as the mining investment system and opportunities in the Kingdom. Benefiting from the Korean experience in the fields of establishing and managing industrial cities was reviewed by the two ministers.

The Saudi Minister of Industry also discussed areas of cooperation and investment opportunities between the two countries in the fields of food industries, automobile industry, and shipbuilding, in addition to the manufacture of medical imaging devices, cosmetics, fashion, and leather products.

Al-Khorayef invited the Korean companies to visit the industrial cities in the Kingdom, Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and MODON.
The Kingdom’s non-oil exports to South Korea in 2020 amounted to SAR 3.2 billion, while the volume of imports from Korea to the Kingdom amounted to SAR14.4 billion riyals.

In other news, the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources revealed, in a report issued by the National Center for Industrial and Mining Information, that the volume of investments in the Kingdom’s manufacturing products industry exceeded SAR 15 billion by the end of September 2021.

These investments constitute 1.13% of the total volume of investments in the industrial sector, said the ministry, noting that the number of factories specialized in manufacturing industries in Saudi Arabia has reached 230.

According to the report, these factories specialized in the manufacturing industries contribute to providing nearly 10,000 jobs in various technical, mechanical and supervisory fields, with national cadres accounting for 27% of those jobs.

The Kingdom’s manufacturing industries include a wide range of products, including jewelry, tools and devices for medicine, surgery, dentistry, veterinary medicine and other products, said the report.

The report also indicated that the volume of exports of the manufacturing industries exceeds SAR 436 million.

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Dell Drives Digital Transformation in Saudi Arabia Through 3 Decades of Innovation

Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights
Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights
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Dell Drives Digital Transformation in Saudi Arabia Through 3 Decades of Innovation

Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights
Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights

Saudi Arabia is leading the charge in digital transformation, with Dell playing a key role in the Kingdom’s technological growth over the past three decades.

The partnership between Dell and Saudi Arabia dates back to the early 1990s, and in the past 34 years, Dell has become a cornerstone of the kingdom’s digital infrastructure.

Adrian McDonald, President of Dell Technologies for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, reflected on the deepening of this relationship, highlighting Dell’s integration into Saudi society.

The company has been instrumental in supporting local businesses, government projects, and education initiatives, particularly by offering IT training programs in collaboration with leading universities and facilitating exchange programs that bring Saudi youth to the US for advanced training.

Dell aims to localize as many of these tech skills as possible, recognizing the growing demand for technology expertise in the future.

The launch of Saudi Vision 2030 has created a fertile environment for technological innovation.

McDonald revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Dell has expanded its operations over the past 18 months, including the establishment of its first integration and logistics center in Dammam, which handles up to 600,000 units annually to meet increasing customer demand.

The Dammam center also houses a secondary manufacturing plant to customize Dell servers to meet specific needs.

The facility prepares servers for deployment, reducing lead times and improving customer satisfaction. Additionally, Dell has moved its flat-panel display center to the Dammam facility, allowing for faster delivery times, which enhances operational efficiency.

This new center is part of Dell’s commitment to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s information and communications technology ecosystem and is the company’s fifth such facility in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, reinforcing its support for Vision 2030.

As Saudi Arabia positions itself as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI), Dell plays a critical role in this transformation.

McDonald highlighted the rapid changes in the AI sector, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s goal to become a global leader in AI.

Dell’s investments are not just aimed at supporting local businesses but also at helping position Saudi Arabia as a global center for AI development.

Dell’s AI-powered solutions are transforming various industries, from finance to healthcare, where they are reshaping processes and driving innovation.

Looking forward, McDonald is optimistic about Saudi Arabia’s potential to become a regional and global hub for AI services.

He pointed out that the kingdom has taken a leadership role in building platforms for growth, with the resources and ambition to drive transformative change in the coming years.