Alkhorayef: We have the elements of industrial renaissance … and the...

The Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority Bandar Al-Khorayef revealed that Saudi Arabia has begun studying the comparison on the feasibility of the automotive industry, indicating that electric cars are a new sector, and the Kingdom can invest in them, especially in the field of batteries, in light of the great growth of electric cars during The last period.During the open dialogue with Okaz, Alkhorayef stressed the importance of building institutes to support the employment of citizens and investing in people, especially as the state supports the private sector to create direct and indirect job opportunities for citizens, and to qualify young men and women for the labor market.

A quantum leap in 40 years

During the open dialogue launched by Okaz yesterday (Sunday) in the presence of a number of writers, businessmen, media professionals and interested people, in addition to the presence of some through visual communication, Al-Khareef announced that during 40 years there has been a qualitative leap in the industrial journey, and he aspires to develop it extensively during the period Next, especially that diversification in the field of industries must be based on sustainable industries, and there are industries because economic diversification must be based on sustainable industries, and there are industries built on natural resources such as gas, oil and minerals, and during the recent period the Ministry is working to deepen the added value of These resources, instead of exporting them to the world without added value, will be reflected in the deepening of the added value that the economy reaps from these resources, which prompted the competent authorities to separate industry and mineral wealth into an independent ministry to be optimally utilized in the coming period, explaining that Saudi Arabia It has industrial cities ideal for industries, such as Jubail and Yanbu.

Economic diversification coinciding with Vision 2030

He announced that Vision 2030 aims to diversify sources of income and expand the base of the Saudi economy, and the ministry is tasked with a large part in this aspect, as economic diversification cannot be achieved in a sustainable manner, except through a strong base of investments and infrastructure for promising sectors such as energy and traditional such as trade, and tourism. And others, and the Ministry is counting on a quantum leap related to economic diversification in Saudi Arabia.

On initiatives, programs, legislations and regulations, it is clear that most people hear about them, but the link between these messages is how they are translated on the ground, and that every citizen is a participant in these programs.

Autumn memories with “Okaz”

He noted that the industrial sector is considered a partner in the success of the press sector, by virtue of the industrial equipment represented in printing. He recalled his beginnings in the industrial field, when he was starting a customer for “Okaz” as a salesman of printing machines, adding: “I have connections and tours with the media sector, and the press and printing sector. It is not strange for me, and I feel the challenges facing the sector in general, and I felt the beautiful memories during my visit to the Okaz Foundation, as I met many people in this institution, especially since the press has an effective role, and despite the challenges, newspapers are steadfast and remain in the arena. ”

Industrial success to beat Corona

On the Corona pandemic, and the extent to which national industries are affected by it, the Minister of Industry stated that Saudi Arabia is one of the least countries that suffered from a lack of supplies during the Corona pandemic, and citizens did not sense any shortage of food or medicine, as there are factories that were established during the Kingdom’s renaissance in the seventies, and contributed to its development, What has resulted in strong and major industries such as the cement sectors, building materials, the agricultural sector, and equipment, and there are giant local companies whose products have reached other countries.

The four tracks of the ministry

Al-Khorayef revealed that the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has 4 tracks to focus on to achieve its vision in 203, the first of which is to preserve the existing gains from established industries that are able to continue, to achieve the highest added value for existing industries, and to create transformative and secondary industries to take advantage of all potentials, while the second path depends on The ambitious plans to convert the largest amount of local targeting into a local industry, and work is being done with many parties to reach a stage in which industries can target the local segment, while exporting the surplus of them outside Saudi Arabia, and he explained that the third path is to exploit modern technologies and benefit Saudi Arabia From the great industrial wealth as much as possible, to achieve 3 gains represented in: «Putting Saudi Arabia in the ranks of advanced faster than the manufacturing industries, in addition to its suitability for most segments of the population, especially since most of them are young people with advanced educational level and have the ability to deal with technology easily The third gain is the fourth industrial revolution that enables other sectors to improve production and link industry with services to benefit from technology, ”or It became clear that the fourth track of the ministry aims to create promising industries for society, with the ministry looking forward to identifying a group of industries that have global demand, and Saudi Arabia adopts it by exploiting its geographical location due to its infrastructure.

Two billion riyals to clear the Arab Shield

And the Minister of Industry announced that Saudi Arabia has allocated two billion riyals to survey the entire Arab Shield and discover minerals in it, and during the next few weeks there will be two projects for this direction aimed at obtaining accurate information on natural resources, as Saudi Arabia has mineral wealth, and when providing information to investors, this will reflect positively on The local economy.

Industry stereotype

Regarding the comments of some individuals about the existence of a stereotype that there are no local industries, the Minister of Industry announced that the industrial sector adopts strict policies in environmental applications, and other government agencies absorb this message, and there are many strong existing factories, and work is being done to facilitate all obstacles to support industrialists.

300 billion Saudi industrial exports

In response to what was raised that Saudi industries are mostly limited to papers and napkins, Al-Khareef denied this negative view, stressing that the industrial sector needs patience, and Saudi Arabia is one of the distinguished countries in the world in the industrial field and is referred to as Lebanon, so Maaden has jumped to the 12th position in the world. Today we have exports from companies to abroad, so we have to know the reality of the industry.

Today, Saudi exports have reached nearly 300 billion riyals, and Saudi Arabia aims to raise the value of exports in the future to double the current amount, and Saudi Arabia currently exports nearly one billion riyals of medicines, and they are well received for their quality, so if the quality of medicines is poor, they will not be accepted.

He stressed that the challenges of the industrial sector are not easy, as there is continuous participation from the relevant authorities such as the Food and Drug Authority and the Standards and Metrology Authority to overcome these challenges, and work has been made to facilitate legislation for the success of industrial projects locally, especially since Saudi Arabia possesses all the ingredients for industrial advancement, and the infrastructure is in place. .

No preference for investments from one country over another

Al-Khorayef considered that the preference for foreign investments from one country to another is not correct, and there is no preference for the Saudi investor over the foreigner, but foreign investments must be qualitative, such as transferring technologies and using them in industry and mining. It makes one rule in entry and exit of investments.

Made in Saudi Arabia

On the question about the “Made in Saudi Arabia” project and the extent to which local projects are supported, especially in the Hajj and Umrah sector, the Minister of Industry confirmed that Saudi industries achieved great positive numbers. During his visit to one of the oil companies in Libya, we were informed that the Saudi pumps had achieved a record for their work without stopping. For a period exceeding 520 days, and there are local food companies whose production reaches many countries, and these companies the quality of their products is very strong and has become a requirement for many countries, and one of the electricity companies recently visited it, and it had a huge project on an area of ​​nearly 700 thousand square meters in the field of electricity industry, and they have They have produced a patent and developed many products, and they are now exporting their products abroad, and more than 700 Saudi girls work for it, while in Sudair Industrial City, the state spent a billion and a half, and created investments and job opportunities for young men and women. He stressed his position with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he asked him about making his shemagh, this question stopped him, adding that there is a Korean advisor to the ministry stating that Koreans consider buying non-Korean products a “defect”, and this confirms the importance of supporting local products.

Commenting on recent developments, Alkhorayef explained that the recent decisions are a quantum leap in dealing with many challenges, and a committee was established headed by him and membership of 5 ministers concerned with how to address the challenges facing the industrial sector from unfair competition and dumping, and some internal challenges, and others Currently, the dynamic has become faster, for whoever was dealt with within a year, the period shrinks to a few weeks only.

5,400 local factories

He disclosed that the number of local factories has reached 5,400 so far, providing job opportunities for 600,000 workers, of whom 220,000 are Saudi workers. As for mining, there are 1,800 licenses that contribute to creating 13,000 jobs, and he indicated that the value of investments in the industrial sector amounted to 1 trillion riyals. In the mining sector, 300 million riyals.

Creative products will remain

During the meeting, the minister pointed to the existence of a vehicle factory in which there are no working hands, stressing that the “creative” will always remain, because creativity is a mixture between learning and talent, and every young man and woman must choose the field in which they will innovate, and not search for job opportunities only, for creativity in general He will stay.

State establishment of factories

During the meeting, a question was asked about the state’s establishment of specialized factories that contribute to the graduation of a generation specialized in the industrial field. Between autumn, the state does not build factories, but rather is concerned with creating appropriate policies and empowering sectors, providing the infrastructure, establishing institutes, and helping to employ citizens by paying part From their salaries in order to localize the industry, and he cited the example of Germany in engineering specializations, as they have the ability to teach in one field and transfer to another field, especially since the Germans in all large and small factories have a training staff.

Review the financial compensation

With regard to the financial compensation imposed on mining licenses, Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef considered that the financial compensation is currently on each application, and the fee is reviewed periodically, stressing that the financial compensation is currently good; However, the current problems are in the misuse of building materials and crushers, and he stressed that the new mining system will establish a system with transparency and clarity. Finally, the first items of the new system were launched by obtaining information through the ministry’s website.

Long contracts and a mandatory list of “local”

Regarding his chairmanship of the Board of Directors of the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, Bandar Al-Khorayef said that we are working to ensure that there are long contracts and a mandatory list of some existing products. Government spending in all countries of the world contributes to the revival of the renaissance and growth, followed by calm during the following period, and these are the cycles of the economy.