Saudi Industrial Output Increases by 2% in March
Non-oil sectors grew 5.6% YoY, with gains in electrical equipment and paper, while basic metals and furniture fell. Water supply rose 15%, but electricity and gas dropped.
Saudi Arabia's industrial production index (IPI) rose by 2% year-on-year in March 2025, driven by solid growth in the manufacturing sector, particularly chemicals and food, according to preliminary data from the General Authority for Statistics.
The IPI reached 106.5 in March, up from 105.4 in February—a 1.1% monthly increase. The manufacturing sub-index grew 5.1% compared to March 2024, led by a 14.3% rise in chemical production and a 6.9% increase in food manufacturing.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia's Industrial Production Index (IPI) rose 2% year-on-year in March 2025, reaching 106.5. Manufacturing led the increase, with a 5.1% rise, driven by strong growth in chemicals and food production. Mining and oil extraction dipped slightly, down 0.2% from March 2024.
Non-oil sectors grew 5.6% year-on-year and 3.3% month-on-month, with mixed results across industries. Electrical equipment and paper products saw gains, while basic metals and furniture production fell. Utilities showed mixed results: water supply and waste management surged 15%, while electricity and gas dropped.
The data reflects continued growth in the Kingdom's non-oil industrial sectors, with non-oil activities expanding 5.6% year-on-year, while oil-related activities saw a 0.5% increase, aligning with Vision 2030's economic diversification goals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mid East Info
8 hours ago
- Mid East Info
UAE startup makes waves with free mineral water for everyone - Middle East Business News and Information
Staying hydrated just got easier, and greener, thanks to Ourwatr, a homegrown UAE startup that's launching a nationwide free mineral water programme starting June 2025. It's a first in the region: clean, refreshing mineral water made freely available across the country, delivered through a unique model that blends sustainability, community care, and social impact. From metro stations and shopping malls to parks and government offices, thousands of chilled bottles of mineral water, sourced locally from Dibba, Fujairah, will soon be within everyone's reach, every day. Ourwatr's mission is simple: hydration is a right, not a privilege. 'At Ourwatr, we believe that drinking water should be accessible to all,' says Abhinav Murali, Co-founder. 'That's why we're giving away premium mineral water for free, and every bottle supports communities in need. It's hydration with heart, proudly made right here in the UAE.' Stamp of UAE quality All Ourwatr bottles carry the prestigious EQM (Emirates Quality Mark) certification, guaranteeing they meet strict UAE national and international quality standards. When you grab a bottle, you're assured of top-quality water, safe, pure, refreshing and approved by the country's standardisation authority. Mission in a bottle With temperatures rising across the UAE, especially during summer, access to clean drinking water is more important than ever, for workers, families, children, and the elderly alike. 'In our desert climate, hydration isn't just healthy; it's life-saving,' adds co-founder Bharath Mohan. 'Each bottle we provide is a small act of kindness toward our community.' Ourwatr is more than just a startup, it's a mission in a bottle. Launched by three young, UAE-based entrepreneurs, the idea was sparked by a simple but powerful observation: access to free, convenient hydration isn't always a given. Wanting to change that, the trio built a business with heart at its core. The team is also in talks with various UAE charitable organisations and government agencies to expand its reach and impact. For every bottle distributed, a portion will be donated to local charities, turning everyday hydration into a meaningful act of giving. A Model Built on Purpose and Sustainability Ourwatr isn't just about water, it's about doing good. Instead of selling to consumers, the company partners with brands and organisations who cover the production and distribution costs. In return, sponsors co-brand the bottles, using them as a platform to share positive messages and shared values, while making a real difference. 'Sustainability isn't just about less waste, it's about creating lasting, meaningful change,' explains Sharat Nair, Co-founder. The bottles are crafted from recyclable materials, aligning with the UAE's zero-waste goals and green agenda. Backing UAE Vision 2030 Ourwatr's initiative supports the UAE's Vision 2030 goals around health, sustainability, and quality of life. The startup is already collaborating with local authorities to expand water access and reach as many people as possible. More than just water, Ourwatr is delivering hope, equality, and care, one bottle at a time.
Mid East Info
9 hours ago
- Mid East Info
UiPath Appoints Sara Al-Alsheikh as Regional Vice President for Saudi Arabia To Accelerate Agentic Automation Adoption Strategy Across the Gulf
The company's first female leader in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain brings over a decade of tech leadership to drive customer success and regional growth Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – June, 2025 – UiPath (NYSE: PATH), a global leader in agentic automation , today announced the appointment of Sara Al-Alsheikh as Regional Vice President (RVP) and Managing Director for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, amid rising demand for AI-powered automation adoption across the Gulf. Based in Riyadh, Al-Alsheikh will lead UiPath's go-to-market and customer success strategy across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain and act as Managing Director of the UiPath regional hub, headquartered in Riyadh. Al-Alsheikh will focus on accelerating growth in key sectors such as government, banking, oil and gas, and others, strengthening UiPath's partner ecosystem, and driving customer success across large-scale digital transformation initiatives. Agentic Automation Momentum Across the Gulf: The Gulf region is experiencing a significant surge in digital transformation initiatives, with organizations increasingly adopting advanced automation technologies to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. UiPath is at the forefront of this evolution, enabling local businesses and governments to develop and orchestrate complex AI-powered automation deployments through seamless integration of AI agents, software robots, and human collaboration. Thanks to her exceptional track record of proven success having worked closely with UiPath customers in the region since joining in 2023 as Director of Public Sector and Public Investment Fund (PIF), Al-Alsheikh's appointment aligns with this momentum. Furthermore, it is placing UiPath in a solid position to further support the Gulf's ambitious Vision 2030 objectives by fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth across key sectors, while also supporting gender inclusion goals. Sara's appointment reflects the Kingdom's ongoing transformation and growing emphasis on empowering women in leadership as part of Vision 2030. With over a decade of experience at global technology firms including HP, IBM, and SAP, she represents a new generation of Saudi leaders driving innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth across the region's technology landscape. 'I could not be more thrilled to step into this leadership role at such a pivotal time when the Kingdom is accelerating its digital transformation roadmap and making AI a cornerstone of its strategy. At the same time, UiPath has reached a pinnacle of innovation through the recent relaunch of the UiPath Platform as the first enterprise-grade platform for agentic automation on the market' said Sara Al-Alsheikh, Regional Vice President and Managing Director for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain at UiPath. 'My mission is to help our clients reimagine how work gets done faster, smarter, and more autonomously thanks to agentic automation, with UiPath at the core of their innovation journey.' 'Sara's leadership is a strategic asset for UiPath and a symbol of what's possible when talent, vision, and inclusion intersect,' said Zakaria Haltout, Area Vice President Middle East and Africa at UiPath. 'She brings not only invaluable regional insight but also the drive to execute at scale, and we are excited to see her lead our next chapter of growth.' About UiPath: UiPath (NYSE: PATH) is a global leader in agentic automation, empowering enterprises to harness the full potential of AI agents to autonomously execute and optimize complex business processes. The UiPath Platform™ uniquely combines controlled agency, developer flexibility, and seamless integration to help organizations scale agentic automation safely and confidently. Committed to security, governance, and interoperability, UiPath supports enterprises as they transition into a future where automation delivers on the full potential of AI to transform industries.
CairoScene
14 hours ago
- CairoScene
WeRide Brings Robotaxis to Saudi Arabia in Testing Phase
China-based autonomous driving firm WeRide begins testing in Riyadh and AlUla ahead of a full rollout in 2025. Jun 03, 2025 China-based autonomous driving company WeRide has officially launched Robotaxi testing in Saudi Arabia, beginning in Riyadh and AlUla, as part of its growing global rollout. The move builds on WeRide's earlier driverless trials in Abu Dhabi and ties into its broader plans to scale operations across 15 global cities through a partnership with Uber. In Saudi Arabia, the expansion aligns with national goals to accelerate smart mobility and digital infrastructure as part of Vision 2030. With the Kingdom targeting $110.1 billion in tourism revenue by 2033, demand for high-tech and sustainable transport solutions continues to grow. WeRide's fleet—ranging from Robotaxis to Robobuses—is designed to support this shift by easing congestion, improving road safety, and offering low-emissions alternatives for everyday transit. The pilot is being supported by Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority, with commercial Robotaxi services expected to launch on the Uber platform in the coming months. Full-scale operations are slated for late 2025, marking another milestone in the region's drive to lead in next-generation mobility solutions.
