The Industrial Sector in GCC Countries
The industrial sector is the cornerstone of global economic growth, and its indicators reflect the advancement and development of nations. Without a strong industrial sector, certain Western countries would not have achieved global recognition. Given the significance of this vital sector, “Mashroo3k” presents key insights into the industrial sector across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Saudi Arabia:
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Number of operational factories: 8,258.
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Licensed workforce: 968,121 workers.
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Capital investment: 1,256,616 million SAR.
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Largest industrial sectors by number of factories:
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Non-metallic minerals: 1,641 factories.
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Rubber and plastics: 1,122 factories.
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Top regions by number of factories:
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Riyadh: 3,332 factories.
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Eastern Province: 1,877 factories.
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Makkah Region: 1,741 factories.
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Factory size distribution:
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Small factories: 43.7% of total factories (3,671 factories) employing 111,354 workers.
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Medium factories: 46.6% of total factories (3,907 factories) employing 379,342 workers.
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Large factories: 9.7% of total factories (813 factories) employing 477,425 workers.
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Factories under construction: 1,801 factories.
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Planned workforce: 78,650 workers.
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Total capital investment: 68,481 million SAR.
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Riyadh region accounts for 40.4% of these factories (728 factories).
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United Arab Emirates (UAE):
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Total number of factories: 6,481.
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Workforce in the sector: 737,126 workers.
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Number of manufacturing enterprises: 32,654.
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Manufacturing sector output value: 448,127 million AED.
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Largest industrial sector by output value:
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Coke and refined petroleum products: 119,787 million AED.
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Industrial exports exceed: 240 billion AED.
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The UAE aims to rank 25th in the Global Industrial Competitiveness Index, having previously held the 38th position.
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Government support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs): 13,500 new businesses targeted.
Kuwait:
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Total number of industrial establishments: 5,539.
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Number of workers in the sector: 160,654.
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Total production value: 35,929,708 thousand KWD.
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Breakdown by business size:
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Establishments with 1-10 workers: 4,526 establishments, employing 24,048 workers, with production valued at 250,322 thousand KWD.
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Establishments with 11-19 workers: 464 establishments, employing 6,871 workers, with production valued at 113,126 thousand KWD.
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Establishments with more than 20 workers: 549 establishments, employing 129,735 workers, with production valued at 35,566,260 thousand KWD.
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Qatar:
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Total number of industrial establishments: 3,467.
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Total workforce in the sector: 161,872.
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SMEs account for approximately: 84% of total factories.
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Manufacturing sector contribution to GDP: 9.2%.
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Breakdown by business size:
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Establishments with fewer than 10 workers: 1,799 establishments, employing 8,305 workers.
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Establishments with more than 10 workers: 1,668 establishments, employing 153,567 workers.
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Oman:
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Total number of manufacturing enterprises: 61,217.
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Total workforce in the manufacturing sector: 237,000.
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Manufacturing sector contribution to GDP: 9.6%.
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Manufacturing exports as a percentage of total exports: 31.4%.
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Manufacturing sector growth rate over the past five years: 6%.


