RIYADH: Riyadh International Industry Week 2025 launched on Monday at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, drawing over 524 exhibitors from 20 countries and spotlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing industrial ambitions.
The four-day event was inaugurated by Abdulaziz Al-Ahmadi, deputy minister of industrial development, who emphasized the forum’s role in fostering high-impact industrial partnerships and enhancing the Kingdom’s competitiveness on a global scale.
“Riyadh International Industry Week is a key enabler for promoting industrial growth and forging strategic partnerships across sectors,” Al-Ahmadi said during the opening ceremony.
He highlighted that collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital to achieving sustainable industrial development in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Al-Ahmadi pointed to key initiatives such as the Standard Incentives Program, Industrial Sector Competitiveness Program, and Factories of the Future Program as government-backed efforts to support this transformation.
He also noted that the National Industry Strategy identifies 15 core enablers grouped into four main categories: global-standard supply chains, a robust industrial business environment, enhanced international trade, and innovation-driven growth.
The strategy includes over 136 initiatives aimed at advancing industrial capabilities, such as strengthening the petrochemical sector and integrating supply chains.
Performance metrics have been introduced to ensure accountability and data-driven decision-making.
Prince Saud bin Turki bin Faisal, chairman of Riyadh Exhibition Co., stressed the exhibition’s alignment with Vision 2030 goals, including diversifying the economy and increasing the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP.
“The event enhances the Kingdom’s standing as a regional industrial hub and helps spotlight investment opportunities,” Prince Saud said.
The forum features more than 50 speakers from around the world, including top industry experts, and hosts several dialogue sessions and workshops on manufacturing, supply chains, and digital transformation.
Prince Saud also announced a strategic alliance between Riyadh Exhibitions Co. and Messe Düsseldorf, through which three of the German group’s major global exhibitions will be hosted in Riyadh.
He further revealed that the Saudi Smart Manufacturing Exhibition will merge with the Saudi Industrial Transformation Exhibition 2025, scheduled for Dec. 1-3, under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry and in partnership with Hannover Messe International.
Running from May 12 to 15, the event showcases over 48,000 industrial products and advanced technologies, including national pavilions from seven leading industrial nations.
Key exhibitions featured during the week include the 20th editions of the Saudi Plastics and Petrochemicals Exhibition and the Saudi Print and Pack Exhibition.
Additionally, the third editions of the Saudi Iron and Metal Industries Exhibition and the Saudi Machinery and Heavy Equipment Exhibition highlight innovations in engineering and heavy industry.
