MANUFACTURING

MANUFACTURING SHIFTS UP A GEAR WITH EV AND INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS

Saudi Arabia seeks to emerge as a formidable contender in the global race for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.

Late last year, US-based Lucid Motors inaugurated an EV manufacturing plant in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), located in the Rabigh governorate. The move underscores the kingdom's commitment to foster a flexible, competitive, and sustainable industrial economy, as outlined in its National Industrial Strategy (NIS).

The NIS views the EV industry as one of 12 strategic sectors aimed at propelling industry growth across Saudi Arabia. The objective extends beyond mere establishment of manufacturing facilities, and aims to invest in future technology and innovation, thus transforming Saudi Arabia into a global player in the EV and related products landscape.

The inauguration of Lucid Motors’ plant also signals the kingdom's dedication to clean energy and the green economy, reinforcing its role as a regional leader in sustainable development.

Lucid Group aims to direct 85% of its production to global export markets, which bolsters Saudi Arabia's industrial capabilities, but also aligns with its broader vision of attracting foreign investment and expanding its presence in the international market.

In a complementary move, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Company announced a joint venture agreement to establish a highly automated vehicle manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. The strategic partnership aims to bolster the kingdom’s automotive industry by manufacturing 50,000 vehicles annually, including both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles.

PIF's majority stake in the joint venture underscores its commitment to transform the automotive sector and elevate Saudi Arabia's manufacturing capabilities.

The Hyundai-PIF joint venture signifies a major milestone in Saudi Arabia's automotive ecosystem. With Hyundai acting as a strategic technology partner, the venture aims to leverage the Korean firm’s technical capabilities to develop a cutting-edge manufacturing plant.

This initiative is part of PIF's broader strategy to create national champions, localise automotive supply chains, and attract pioneering technology to Saudi Arabia. The partnership with Hyundai reinforces Saudi Arabia's commitment to innovation, environmental progress, and sustainable development in the automotive sector.

    

The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and its subsidiary National Electricity Transmission (NET) have inked two pivotal agreements with Emaar, The Economic City (EEC), the primary developer of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).

These agreements signify the robust growth of the Saudi economy and the rapid industrial and developmental progress witnessed by the kingdom, in line with the objectives laid out for Vision 2030 projects.

The first agreement aims to establish electrical connectivity between the main substation in KAEC and the general electrical system network of the NET Company, while the second agreement focuses on delivering electrical services to support ongoing projects.

Notably, these projects include the burgeoning international industrial sector, particularly the manufacturing of EV in the third phase of the Industrial Valley of KAEC, housing the Saudi Ceer factory and the Lucid electric car facilities.

PIF also recently launched Alat, a national champion to propel Saudi Arabia into a global hub for sustainable technology manufacturing, with a focus on advanced technologies and electronics.

Alat's strategic focus encompasses seven key business units: advanced industries, semiconductors, smart appliances, smart health, smart devices, smart buildings, and next-generation infrastructure. The company seeks to bolster the capabilities of the Saudi technology sector, augment local content contribution, enhance the nation's attractiveness, and foster investment opportunities.

Alat will also facilitate the private sector through strategic partnerships with leading international players in manufacturing and technology, thereby enriching the economic ecosystem locally and regionally.

Furthermore, Alat endeavours to transform the global industrial sector by providing sustainable solutions based on clean energy sources, thus meeting commercial demand and advancing manufacturing capabilities in Saudi Arabia.

By manufacturing over 30 product categories serving vital sectors, including robotic systems, communication systems, advanced computers, digital entertainment products, and heavy machinery for construction and mining, Alat aims to stimulate innovation, research and development, and talent localisation within the industrial and electronics sectors. The company anticipates creating 39,000 direct jobs in Saudi Arabia by 2030 and contributing a direct non-oil GDP of USD 9.3 billion by the same year.

In its pursuit of sustainable manufacturing solutions, Alat plans to leverage clean energy resources in Saudi Arabia to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, aligning with PIF's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Additionally, Alat aims to enable global industrial companies to capitalise on the competitive advantages oered by the Saudi economy, its strategic geographical location, and its investments in the technology sector.