Saudi Arabia open to financing up to 75% of certain industrial projects, says minister

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is open to providing up to 75 percent of financing for certain industrial projects, a minister has revealed in a bid to incentivize foreign investment and private sector players.

During his discussion with several Qatari investors on the sidelines of the 52nd meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council Industrial Cooperation Committee in Doha, Bandar Alkhorayef, the Kingdom’s minister of industry and mineral resources, highlighted the vast opportunities that Saudi Arabia’s untapped mining potential provides to global investors. 

According to a release on X, he reaffirmed that in addition to the incentives provided by the industrial and mineral wealth system and the multiple sources of financing, the prepared infrastructure in more than 36 industrial cities around the Kingdom offers a sum of qualitative capabilities such as the production of prefabricated factories and long-term rentals.

Alkhorayef further lauded the private sector as the real engine for the Kingdom’s industrial development, noting that the National Strategy for Industry was initially built in partnership with the private sector.

This stems from the nation’s belief in the importance of private sector players and their ability to create promising opportunities in various fields, the release added. 

In another boost to the industrial sector in the GCC, the minister headed the Kingdom’s delegation to the industrial committee meetings in Doha. The panel discussed a number of initiatives proposed by Saudi Arabia, including the Gulf Industrial Excellence Award.

In addition, the meeting reviewed the Arab industrial integration strategy and attempts to unify the support provided to the industrial sector in GCC countries, aiming to achieve economic growth and overcome challenges and obstacles faced in the industry. 

Furthermore, developments in finding a unified definition for the Gulf national product and its proposed standards were discussed. 

The meeting also stressed the importance of supporting the industrial sector in the GCC countries and integrating the roles of respective nations to aid in developing their respective national industries.