French Program to Support Industrial Transformation in Saudi Arabia

 Business France launches in Riyadh a program to support industrial transformation within NIDLP (SPA)
Business France launches in Riyadh a program to support industrial transformation within NIDLP (SPA)
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French Program to Support Industrial Transformation in Saudi Arabia

 Business France launches in Riyadh a program to support industrial transformation within NIDLP (SPA)
Business France launches in Riyadh a program to support industrial transformation within NIDLP (SPA)

Business France, a French government agency concerned with international development, launched on Monday in Riyadh the first edition of a program to support industrial transformation in Saudi Arabia. The program was launched in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP).

The program, which offers an expanded package dedicated to innovative French companies that are keen to become a major player in Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030, includes companies that aim to support the Saudi industrial revolution.

Saudi Arabia’s industrial strategy looks to triple manufacturing GDP by 2030.

NIDLP CEO Suliman Almazroua voiced excitement to maintain and develop bilateral cooperation with Business France, noting that the Kingdom is witnessing a rapid transformation since the launch of Vision 2030.

Almazroua pointed out that the transformation opens the doors of the Kingdom to the international community to achieve the ambitious goals that affect the future of Saudi Arabia.

He noted that transformation will be reflected in the promotion of both domestic and international economic growth.

For his part, Abdulrahman Baeshen, head of Al-Shorouk Center for Economic Studies in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, stressed the importance of strengthening Saudi-French cooperation in terms of transferring expertise and technology industries, especially since France leads European countries in terms of its attractiveness to foreign investments.

Baeshen explained that France has a large share of attracting international projects and industrial investments at the level of European countries, which gives it an industrial advantage and an innovative technical and research superiority.



Saudi Private Sector Grows to Highest Level in 6 Months

People are seen at an employment forum in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
People are seen at an employment forum in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Private Sector Grows to Highest Level in 6 Months

People are seen at an employment forum in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
People are seen at an employment forum in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector expanded for the third consecutive month in October, driven by a surge in new orders - their highest levels since March - and a substantial rise in sales, which significantly boosted business activity.

The Riyad Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) increased from 56.3 in September to 56.9 in October, reflecting improved operating conditions and economic momentum. This growth was attributed to robust sales in October, as companies reported strong customer demand and overall favorable economic conditions.

Consequently, businesses experienced an expansion in commercial activity and maintained a positive outlook for future growth. Additionally, purchasing of production inputs accelerated after reaching a three-year low in September, though it remained moderate compared to early-year levels, with companies noting sufficient inventory levels.

The report highlighted, however, that the strong sector-wide improvement was accompanied by increased cost pressures in materials and staffing, resulting in the first rise in average prices for goods and services in four months.

Dr. Naif Al-Ghaith, Chief Economist at Riyad Bank, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the robust economic performance was driven by a notable rise in sales, contributing to expansions in employment, procurement, and inventory.

The accelerated pace of input purchases in September, the fastest in three years, reflects a continued expansionary trend since September 2020, driven by rising demand, he stressed

The significant increase in new orders in October underscores the success of Vision 2030’s strategic emphasis on innovation and infrastructure development, he added.

More than 40% of surveyed companies reported increased demand, driven by strong local customer interest, creative marketing strategies, and sustained investments in infrastructure, demonstrating the resilience of Saudi Arabia’s economy and reinforcing its position as a leading non-oil economy in the region.

He noted that these gains align with the non-oil GDP growth rate of 4.2% in the third quarter, indicating a positive economic shift as the country seeks to diversify income sources away from oil, contributing to Vision 2030’s goals of building a sustainable economy capable of meeting future challenges.

Al-Ghaith projected that the non-oil sector’s contribution to GDP would exceed 52%, with growth surpassing 4% this year.