Malham Airport approved to join Saudi Arabia’s expanding aviation network

RIYADH: More than 40 Indian companies have established headquarters in Saudi Arabia, with additional facilities in the defense sector expected in the near future, according to a top official.   

Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani, chairman of the Saudi-Indian Business Council, made the comments as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday for a two-day visit. 

He is expected to meet with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman during the trip.  

Al-Qahtani said the visit aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader push to localize defense spending, boost technology transfer, and expand domestic investment across sectors that contribute to national gross domestic product.  

In an interview with Al-Eqtisadiah, Al-Qahtani said Saudi investments in India are valued at around $10 billion, including stakes by the Public Investment Fund in major companies such as Reliance Jio Platforms, Reliance Retail, OYO Hotels, and the Health Technology Co. 

“Al-Qahtani pointed out that the Saudi-Indian Business Council is working to encourage Indian investment in Saudi Arabia, identify investment opportunities in India, and transfer and localize technology in various sectors, such as space and defense,” Al-Eqtisadiah reported.   

“It also aims to exchange expertise in education and training, benefit from mutual expertise in tourism and entertainment, and cooperate in the healthcare sector, pharmaceutical and medical supplies industries, and enhance integration in logistics services,” the report added.  

Al-Qahtani added that India has invited Saudi Arabia to invest in its growing defense sector, which has opened up to private investors in recent years.  

Indian firms that have already established regional bases in Saudi Arabia include those working in automobile and bus manufacturing.  

The move by the more than 40 Indian firms comes amid a wave of multinational companies establishing regional bases in the Kingdom. 

Almost 600 international companies have set up bases in Saudi Arabia since 2021, including Northern Trust, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Deloitte, the Saudi Press Agency reported in March. 

The growth was fueled by the government-backed Riyadh regional headquarters program, which offers incentives such as a 30-year corporate income tax exemption and withholding tax relief, alongside regulatory support for multinationals operating in the Kingdom. 

India remains a key energy partner for the Kingdom, as it imported 14 percent of Saudi Arabia’s crude oil production and 18 percent of its liquefied natural gas exports in the past year.    

Bilateral trade has also expanded in sectors such as chemicals, construction, and contracting, as well as healthcare training, and information technology.   

Total trade between the two countries reached around $42 billion in the financial year 2023-24. Of this, Indian exports to Saudi Arabia accounted for approximately $11 billion, consisting of engineering products, rice, and petroleum derivatives, as well as chemicals, food and medical supplies, and textiles.    

Saudi exports to India totaled SR31 billion ($8.2 billion), including crude oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizers, chemicals, and plastics.   

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia issued 105 new industrial licenses in February, marking a 66.7 percent increase compared to January, supporting the Kingdom’s drive for economic growth and diversification. 

A total of 113 factories also commenced production during the second month of the year, representing a 9.7 percent increase in comparison with the previous month, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.

According to a report from the ministry’s National Industrial and Mining Information Center, the new licenses represent investments exceeding SR1.02 billion ($272 million) and are expected to create 1,504 jobs.

These developments are part of a broader trend in the sector. An official study revealed that 1,346 new industrial permits were issued in the first quarter of 2024, paving the way for over 44,000 new job opportunities and attracting investments surpassing SR50 billion ($13.3 billion). 

They also align with Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Strategy, unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in October 2022, which seeks to accelerate sector growth and raise the number of factories across the Kingdom to approximately 36,000 by 2035.

The strategy targets 12 sub-sectors and outlines over 800 investment opportunities, valued at SR1 trillion, with the goal of tripling the nation’s industrial gross domestic product. 

The issuance of permits also correlates with the Kingdom’s National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, launched in 2019, to support the industrial sector and drive sustainable development. 

The ministry added in its statement that factories entering the production phase attracted investments totaling SR900 million and generated 4,114 new jobs, underscoring the continued growth and expansion of the country’s industrial base as these establishments reach full operational capacity. 

Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Production Index recorded a 1.3 percent year-on-year increase in January, driven by sustained growth in manufacturing and waste management, according to the General Authority for Statistics. Monthly, the index remained steady at 103.9, unchanged from December. 

The manufacturing sub-index posted a 4 percent annual rise, supported by a 4.3 percent increase in the production of coke and refined petroleum products, as well as a 4.2 percent uptick in chemicals and chemical products. 

The report, which monitors key industrial indicators, also revealed that investments linked to newly issued industrial licenses reached SR1.197 billion, with the associated projects expected to create more than 2,500 job opportunities across the Kingdom.