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Saudi Military Industry Flourishes: Localization Surge to 13.6%

An image from the inaugural World Defense Show north of Riyadh. (Supplied)
An image from the inaugural World Defense Show north of Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Saudi Military Industry Flourishes: Localization Surge to 13.6%

An image from the inaugural World Defense Show north of Riyadh. (Supplied)
An image from the inaugural World Defense Show north of Riyadh. (Supplied)

The Saudi government is starting to see positive results from its efforts to boost the military, defense, and security industries. The localization rate of the sector has jumped from 4% to 13.6% by the end of 2022, a significant increase of 9.6%.
Furthermore, 477 licenses were issued for the establishment of 265 companies.
In Riyadh, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman inaugurated the World Defense Show 2024, attended by defense ministers and officials from various countries, along with specialized companies.
The exhibition is being held in the Saudi capital city for the second time after its debut in 2022, featuring the latest innovation across the defense sector.
Ahmed Al-Ohali, governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), stressed the importance of unlimited government support to strengthen the sector.
This support aims to enhance the Kingdom’s strategic capabilities, promote the localization of national military industries, and align with the vision for the future.
Government Spending Boosts Defense Industry in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is boosting its defense and security industries with strong government support. This push aims to advance these sectors and fulfill the localization goal of 50% of government spending on military equipment and services, as outlined in the national transformation plan, “Vision 2030.”
Al-Ohali stated that the Kingdom is already seeing positive outcomes, with the localization rate increasing from 4% to 13.6% by the end of 2022. Furthermore, 477 permits and licenses were issued for 265 companies in the military industries sector, creating over 74 investment opportunities for localizing the supply chain.
The governor highlighted the sector’s expected contribution to the GDP, reaching around SAR 93.75 billion ($25 billion) by 2030. It is anticipated to generate 40,000 direct job opportunities and 60,000 indirect job opportunities in the same year.
International Partnerships
Emphasizing the World Defense Show’s significance as a crucial platform for experts and industry professionals, Al-Ohali affirmed that “the second edition of this leading international event in the defense and security industry in the Kingdom is an extension of the successes and achievements witnessed in the inaugural edition.”
“The exhibition will strategically support the nation's efforts towards achieving localization targets and provide an ideal environment for communication and interaction among participants,” added Al-Ohali.
“The aim is to enhance international partnerships in the defense and security industry, contributing to the vision of our beloved Kingdom through technology transfer and competence development support.”

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Business

Hapag-Lloyd: Resuming Normal Shipping to Take 6-8 Weeks if Mideast Stabilizes

This aerial picture shows stacks of shipping containers at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, March 31, 2026. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP)
This aerial picture shows stacks of shipping containers at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, March 31, 2026. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP)
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Hapag-Lloyd: Resuming Normal Shipping to Take 6-8 Weeks if Mideast Stabilizes

This aerial picture shows stacks of shipping containers at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, March 31, 2026. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP)
This aerial picture shows stacks of shipping containers at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, March 31, 2026. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP)

Hapag-Lloyd voiced cautious optimism on Wednesday on the prospect of resuming shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after a two-week ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran, but said that resuming normal traffic throughout its network would take at least 6-8 weeks.

Speaking in a call to customers, CEO Rolf Habben Jansen echoed guarded remarks ⁠by peer container ⁠shipping group Maersk, saying that more security assurances were needed.

“Even if a ceasefire has now been agreed overnight, I would say that it's fair to ⁠say that the conflict in the Middle East is still severely disrupting shipping, but also supply chains," the Hapag CEO said, adding that the situation was "fluid".

According to Reuters, he estimated additional costs from the Middle East crisis at $50 million to $60 million a week and warned that the German company ⁠would ⁠have to pass on some of that to its customers. That was up from $40-$50 million stated previously.

He added that about 1,000 ships were still stuck in the region, six of which from his company with a combined capacity of about 25,000 standard containers.

Business

Turkish Shares Rise After Iran Ceasefire Deal, Lira Set for Rare Daily Gain

10 July 2020, Türkiye, Istanbul: People stand behind a Turkish national flag in front of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. (dpa)
10 July 2020, Türkiye, Istanbul: People stand behind a Turkish national flag in front of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. (dpa)
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Turkish Shares Rise After Iran Ceasefire Deal, Lira Set for Rare Daily Gain

10 July 2020, Türkiye, Istanbul: People stand behind a Turkish national flag in front of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. (dpa)
10 July 2020, Türkiye, Istanbul: People stand behind a Turkish national flag in front of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. (dpa)

Banking and ‌airline stocks led a more than 4% rise in Turkish shares and the lira was on track for a rare daily gain on Wednesday, as the two-week Middle East ceasefire sparked a relief rally across global markets.

At 0823 GMT, Türkiye's blue-chip BIST 100 index was up 4.3%, while the banking index rose 8.8%. Shares in airline ‌carriers Turkish ‌Airlines and Pegasus climbed more than ‌6% ⁠each.

The United States ⁠and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a post on X that he had invited Iranian and US delegations to meet in Islamabad on Friday.

The ⁠lira traded at 44.5400 against ‌the dollar, strengthening from ‌Tuesday's close of 44.6065.

The currency had lost about ‌1.5% in value since the US-Israeli strikes ‌on Iran began at the end of February. With a year-to-date loss of 3.6% and inflation reaching to 10% in the first three ‌months of the year, the lira has gained in real terms.

Before the ⁠two-week ⁠ceasefire agreement, economists had been expecting the central bank to reflect a cumulative 300 basis points of tightening delivered via liquidity measures in the main policy rate, which stands at 37%.

Markets are now watching whether the two-week ceasefire evolves into a more permanent arrangement, which could reshape expectations for policy tightening at the central bank's next monetary policy committee meeting on April 22.

Business

Gulf Markets Jump on US-Iran Ceasefire Agreement

A man follows the stock market at the Dubai Financial Market in Dubai (EPA)
A man follows the stock market at the Dubai Financial Market in Dubai (EPA)
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Gulf Markets Jump on US-Iran Ceasefire Agreement

A man follows the stock market at the Dubai Financial Market in Dubai (EPA)
A man follows the stock market at the Dubai Financial Market in Dubai (EPA)

Stock markets in the Gulf region jumped on Wednesday in line with global equities after US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday.

Trump said the last-minute deal was subject to Iran's agreement to pause its blockade of oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, which before the war typically handled about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran would cease counter-attacks and provide safe passage through the waterway if attacks against it stopped.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ⁠said he had ⁠invited Iranian and US delegations to meet in Islamabad on Friday.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index opened 1.4% higher, lifted by gains in banking and energy stocks.

Oil giant Saudi Aramco gained 2.1%, while largest lender Al Rajhi Bank added 2.4%.

Dubai's main market spiked as much as 8.5%, its highest intraday gain in more than 11 years, with the heavyweight real estate and financial sectors outperforming.

At 0730 GMT the Dubai index was trading 6.4% higher, led by a 9.8% jump in blue-chip developer Emaar Properties and an 11.3% rise in top lender Emirates NBD ⁠Bank.

Abu Dhabi's benchmark index climbed as much as 4.9% in early trade, its biggest jump in six years, boosted by gains in the financial, real estate, logistics and energy sectors.

At 0730 GMT the Abu Dhabi index was up 3.2% with the largest lender, First Abu Dhabi Bank, rising 8.3% and real estate giant Aldar Properties jumping 8.8%.

Energy firm Adnoc Gas gained 3.8%, while Abu Dhabi Ports Company advanced 9.8%.

In Qatar, the index jumped 3.4%, as all its constituents advanced, led by energy shares.

Petrochemical maker Industries Qatar jumped 6.2% and Qatar Gas Transport surged 8%, the top gainer.

The Gulf's biggest lender, Qatar National Bank, climbed 3.7%.