The number of factories in Saudi Arabia rose by 10% to 11,550 in 2023 from 10,520 a year earlier, data issued by Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources showed.

New industrial licenses reached nearly 1,379 in 2023 with total investments of over SAR 82 billion. Production started in 1,058 factories with investments worth SAR 45 billion.

The total of investments in existing factories that reach 11,550 amounted to SAR 1.54 trillion.

Jarrah Al-Jarrah, Spokesperson for the Ministry, said the new licenses were distributed across 25 industrial activities. The manufacturing of food products came on top with 244 licenses, followed by the production of nonmetallic minerals with 176 licenses, metals forming products with 165, and finally, the manufacturing of rubber and plastic products with 123 licenses.

He pointed out that national establishments secured the highest number of issued industrial licenses with 1,043, followed by foreign investment establishments with 194, and joint investment establishments with 142. Small establishments obtained the majority of issued licenses with 1,203, followed by medium-sized establishments with 158, micro-enterprises with 15, and finally, large establishments with three.

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