
Saudi Arabia's industry development creating great opportunities, say experts at trade show
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's development and adoption of modern technology was creating significant opportunities for foreign investment and economic growth, experts in the industrial and logistics sectors told Arab News on Thursday at the Riyadh International Industry Week 2025.
The RIIW25, which ends today, featured four industrial trade shows: Saudi Plastics and Petrochemicals, Saudi Printing and Packaging, Smart Manufacturing, and Saudi Smart Logistics.
Kevin Lang, general manager at China Bentae Industry Group, praised Saudi Arabia's government for attracting and establishing factories within the Kingdom, emphasizing that such steps provide strong incentives for foreign investment in the industrial sector.
Participating in the event for the second time, Lang noted a surge in the presence of Chinese and international companies in the Saudi market, which he said was a sign of growing investor confidence in the Kingdom.
'We aim to leverage Saudi Arabia's push for economic openness and its efforts to attract foreign investment. We see significant growth potential, particularly in sectors that align with Vision 2030, such as industry and sustainability,' Lang said.
Lafi Al-Dhafiri, commercial director at Alkharj Steel Co., said the show was an exceptional platform for bringing together global expertise, forming partnerships and shaping the future of the sector.
'The event highlighted the promising opportunities within the Saudi industrial sector, especially in light of the unprecedented government support that aligns with the goals of Vision 2030,' Al-Dhafiri added.
Ahmed Sobhi Badran, sales manager at Derbn Trading Co., noted the emergence of Saudi brands that are increasingly positioning themselves on the global stage.
'The exhibitions feature a strong presence of international companies seeking to strengthen their foothold in the Saudi market, creating a healthy competitive environment driven by quality standards and marketing excellence.'
Ratheesh NS, deputy manager at Windsor Machines Ltd., said the company was eager to explore business opportunities in the Kingdom.
'We are looking forward to the vast opportunities in Saudi Arabia, driven by its vibrant transformation under Saudi Vision 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034,' he said.
'We are confident that this market boom will help us explore and engage with this ambitious region.'
Fahad Al-Thenayan, a logistics advisor, said the event was 'a great opportunity for visitors to explore a wide range of innovative solutions.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Riyad Bank and Mastercard join forces to empower MSMEs
Riyad Bank and Mastercard have collaborated to provide small and medium-sized businesses in Saudi Arabia with enhanced access to funding. The two entities have introduced a unique credit card program offering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises access to financial solutions to grow and thrive. As part of the agreement, Riyad Bank will enable MSMEs across the Kingdom with a three-tier credit program providing greater choice and flexibility in the form of unique cards: the Mastercard NMOO Business Credit Card, Mastercard NMOO Executive Credit Card, and Mastercard NMOO World Credit Card. Each of these unique products will offer flexible limits, supporting enterprises and entrepreneurs to take greater control of their futures. They will deliver real-time solutions that support MSMEs to help buy, operate and sell, bridging financing gaps, and providing access to funding by enabling enterprises to get approved for credit facilities, for example, for business expansion. 'As one of the largest financial institutions in the Kingdom, we are fully committed to serving as a trusted financial solutions partner to the people, businesses, and entities we support,' said Mohammed Abo Al-Naja, chief corporate banking officer, Riyad Bank. 'Over the years, we have helped to drive the growth and development of Saudi Arabia's micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises ecosystem, and today, we are more determined than ever to empower businesses to realize their potential. We are pleased to have partnered with Mastercard to launch our truly novel three-tier credit program, powering the future of MSMEs with timely access to crucial funding.' 'At a time when Saudi entrepreneurship is truly beginning to flourish, we recognize that effective partnerships and innovation are essential to empowering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to advance and thrive,' said Adam Jones, EVP and division president, West Arabia, Mastercard. 'Our partnership with Riyad Bank was launched with this goal in mind. Together, we aim to provide MSMEs with essential access to critical lending and funding. We look forward to expanding our first-of-its-kind program to more businesses across the country and supporting them in achieving their goals.'


Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Osaka Expo pavilion celebrates 70 years of Japan-Saudi relations
OSAKA: Saudi Arabia's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Kingdom — the two countries first established their partnership on June 7, 1955. 'The relations go beyond a mere economic partnership to reflect the depth and diversity of our ties,' said Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi ambassador to Japan and the pavilion's commissioner-general. 'Today, we build on the strength of the past and harness the momentum of the present to jointly shape a new vision for the future. With Expo 2025 taking place in Osaka and Saudi Arabia hosting Expo 2030 in Riyadh, our two countries stand at the forefront of global exchange, showcasing the latest innovations and sustainable technologies, and contributing to shaping an inclusive future for all.' The Saudi Pavilion has hosted various business events and highlighted trade opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030, strengthening economic ties between the two countries. Additionally, it highlights the Kingdom's role in bringing Japanese culture to the Middle East through local manga studios, whose works will be featured in August. The pavilion aims to draw more Japanese tourists to Saudi Arabia, targeting 30,000 visitors annually before Expo 2030 Riyadh. Saudi Arabia's participation in Expo 2025 Osaka is part of the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 strategy, which includes more than 80 projects across industries including culture, food, media and entertainment, energy, and education. The pavilion, which offers more than 700 diverse and engaging events such as daily shows and live performances, has attracted more than half a million visitors since it opened in April.

Al Arabiya
5 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Iran says no sanctions relief in US nuclear proposal
Iran's parliament speaker said on Sunday that the latest US proposal for a nuclear deal does not include the lifting of sanctions, state media reported as negotiations appear to have hit a roadblock. The two foes have held five rounds of Omani-mediated talks since April, seeking to replace a landmark agreement between Tehran and world powers that set restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief, before US President Donald Trump abandoned the accord during his first term in 2018. In a video aired on Iranian state TV, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that 'the US plan does not even mention the lifting of sanctions.' He called it a sign of dishonesty, accusing the Americans of seeking to impose a 'unilateral' agreement that Tehran would not accept. 'The delusional US president should know better and change his approach if he is really looking for a deal,' Ghalibaf said. On May 31, after the fifth round of talks, Iran said it had received 'elements' of a US proposal, with officials later taking issue with 'ambiguities' in the draft text. The US and its Western allies have long accused the Islamic Republic of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a charge Iran has consistently denied, insisting that its atomic program was solely for peaceful purposes. Key issues in the negotiations have been the removal of biting economic sanctions and uranium enrichment. Tehran says it has the right to enrich uranium under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while the Trump administration has called any Iranian enrichment a 'red line.' Trump, who has revived his 'maximum pressure' campaign of sanction on Iran since taking office in January, has repeatedly said it will not be allowed any uranium enrichment under a potential deal. On Tuesday, Iran's top negotiator, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said the country 'will not ask anyone for permission to continue enriching uranium.' According to the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state in the world that enriches uranium up to 60 percent – still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected the latest US proposal and said enrichment was 'key' to Iran's nuclear program. The IAEA Board of Governors is scheduled to meet in Vienna later this month and discuss Iran's nuclear activities.