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Saudi Arabia Launches First Regional Program for Electronic Chips

The Saudi Semiconductor Program aims to support research, development and qualification of human cadres in the field of designing and localizing electronic chips. (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Semiconductor Program aims to support research, development and qualification of human cadres in the field of designing and localizing electronic chips. (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Launches First Regional Program for Electronic Chips

The Saudi Semiconductor Program aims to support research, development and qualification of human cadres in the field of designing and localizing electronic chips. (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Semiconductor Program aims to support research, development and qualification of human cadres in the field of designing and localizing electronic chips. (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)

The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) announced on Wednesday the launch of the Saudi Semiconductor Program - the first of its kind in the region – which is aimed at supporting research, development and qualification of human cadres in the field of designing and localizing electronic chips.

President of the City of Science and Technology Dr. Mounir El-Desouky inaugurated the Future of Semiconductors Forum - an event organized by KACST and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) - with the participation of Dr. Shuji Nakamura, Nobel Prize winner in physics and specialist in semiconductor technologies, and Dr. Omar Yaghi, winner of the King Faisal Prize in 2015 and the Albert Einstein International Prize for Science in 2017, and Dr. David Ruchien Liu, winner of the King Faisal Prize in Medicine for Gene Editing Technique.

The inauguration ceremony was also attended by the winners of the same prize in the field of science this year, Dr. Nader Masmoudi and Dr. Martin Heyer, as well as a number of local and international experts.

The program aims to conduct scientific research in electronic chip technologies, and qualify human cadres in the field of design and production to support the localization of the semiconductor industry in the Kingdom.

Addressing the forum, Saeed Alshihri, Director of Materials Science Research Institute at KACST, stressed that the localization of the electronic chip and semiconductor industry would contribute to achieving the goals of the Vision 2030 programs.

“Semiconductor technologies are changing the world as they form the basis of vital fields such as energy, sensors, and information technology, and the foundation of the third and fourth industrial revolutions,” he stated.

The forum will continue its work on Friday with three sessions discussing automotive and space electronics, photovoltaic efficiency, sensors and micro-electromechanical systems.

On Wednesday, agreements were signed between a number of government, private and international entities, to promote and localize the semiconductor industry in the Kingdom.

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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.