Advanced Manufacturing: A Core Pillar of Saudi Arabia's Industrial Transformation
Saudi Arabia's industrial sector is undergoing a comprehensive strategic transformation driven by national programs and initiatives aimed at building a competitive and sustainable industrial economy.
This transformation reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the national economy and strengthen the role of industry as a fundamental pillar of economic development. These efforts are being realized by building industrial capabilities, stimulating high-value investments, adopting advanced manufacturing technologies, developing industrial infrastructure, and empowering national talent.
Advanced manufacturing has emerged as one of the key drivers of this transformation. It relies on the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and 3D printing, all of which contribute to enhancing production efficiency, boosting competitiveness, and expanding the horizons of innovation.
The National Industrial Strategy has reinforced these efforts through landmark initiatives, most notably the "Future Factories" program, which aims to transform 4,000 factories from traditional facilities into smart, globally benchmarked manufacturing plants.
Global industrial experiences underscore the pivotal role of AI in enabling factories to improve quality control and increase productivity. IoT technologies have facilitated the development of integrated systems for real-time energy and resource management, as well as supply chain monitoring.
Meanwhile, 3D printing has opened new possibilities for accelerating product development, reducing reliance on inventories, and shortening supply chains, making these technologies strategic tools for reshaping the industrial landscape rather than mere complementary options.
On the domestic front, data from the General Authority for Statistics confirms that this transformation has positively impacted the industrial sector's performance. The Industrial Production Index (IPI) recorded a 6.5% increase in July 2025 compared to the same period of the previous year, driven by the growth of manufacturing activities, the core of the national industry, which converts raw materials into high-value products.
This growth highlights the direct impact of industrial development programs on strengthening competitiveness and improving production efficiency.
The ministry's ongoing initiatives demonstrate a firm commitment to adopting advanced manufacturing technologies and applying them across the industrial and mining sectors.
The sector is witnessing a rapid digital transformation fueled by the development of digital infrastructure and the accelerated adoption of AI, IoT, and robotics applications.
These technologies represent a paradigm shift across all stages of industrial and mining operations, from improving product design and engineering through big data analytics to automating supply chains and logistics, and enhancing quality control with high precision, thereby reducing waste and increasing consumer satisfaction.
Within this context, the Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia exhibition, scheduled to take place in Riyadh in December 2025, under the patronage of and in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and organized by Deutsche Messe and Riyadh Exhibitions Company, further extends these efforts. The exhibition will serve as a premier platform to showcase the latest applications of advanced manufacturing and to forge international partnerships that support the transfer and localization of industrial technologies.
The event will feature a comprehensive program of conferences, seminars, and workshops, with a particular focus on empowering national talent. Specialized training programs targeting students, engineers, and technicians will equip them with the skills required to engage with emerging technologies, strengthen integration between the industrial and academic sectors, and prepare a new generation of professionals capable of leading the future of industry.
Further details about the exhibition and its programs are available on the official website: www.saudiindustrialtransformation.com
This landmark event embodies the Kingdom's ambitious vision to make industry a strategic pillar, reshaping the national industrial landscape and solidifying Saudi Arabia's position as a leading global industrial power, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
