Saudi Industry Forum Reviews Sector Empowerment, Competitiveness

The second edition of the Saudi Industry Forum (SIF 2026) convened its main session in Jeddah today, gathering leaders from the industrial and investment sectors alongside the Federation of Saudi Chambers. The forum, held under the patronage of the Kingdom’s leadership, serves as a pivotal platform for advancing the nation’s industrial transformation and aligning with the ambitious goals of Vision 2030.

Context and Background

Saudi Arabia has placed industrial development at the heart of its economic diversification strategy, aiming to increase the sector’s contribution to the national GDP and foster a robust manufacturing base. The Saudi Industry Forum, now in its second edition, underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to creating a competitive and sustainable industrial ecosystem. This year’s session builds on the momentum of previous initiatives, including the National Industrial Strategy, which targets doubling the industrial sector’s contribution by 2030. The gathering in Jeddah, a major commercial hub, highlights the strategic importance of public-private partnerships in driving this transformation.

Key Details

During the main session, participants delved into strategies to strengthen integration between the public and private sectors, a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s economic reforms. Discussions centered on improving the regulatory and investment environment to attract both domestic and foreign investment. Supply chain resilience emerged as a key theme, with emphasis on localizing production of critical materials and components to reduce reliance on imports. Energy efficiency and the adoption of emerging technologies were also on the agenda, as Saudi Arabia seeks to position itself as a leader in advanced manufacturing.

National talent development was highlighted as a critical enabler of industrial growth. The forum examined ways to upskill the Saudi workforce, ensuring it is equipped for the demands of a modern, technology