Under the framework of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is laying the groundwork for a post-oil economy powered by digital infrastructure, logistics innovation and high-spec manufacturing.

At the heart of this transformation lies the country’s strategic geography. Positioned at the crossroads of three continents and with 13% of global trade passing through the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia is leveraging its location to become a global trade and logistics hub. Its integrated land, sea and air corridors are designed not only to serve domestic needs but to act as arteries for international commerce, seamlessly connecting Europe, Asia and Africa.

The National Industrial Strategy outlines a bold roadmap to 2030 and beyond, with targets that reflect both ambition and pragmatism. By the end of the decade, Saudi Arabia aims to generate SAR557 billion in annual industrial exports and create over 2.1 million new industrial jobs. The logistics sector is forecasted to grow by SAR97.5 billion annually, while the manufacturing industry is expected to contribute SAR895 billion to the nation’s GDP. Looking ahead to 2035, manufacturing exports are projected to hit SAR892 billion—a figure that would cement the Kingdom’s status as a global industrial heavyweight.

Central to these goals is the rise of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and smart industrial cities. Purpose-built to attract foreign direct investment and catalyse industrial clustering, these zones are equipped with advanced infrastructure and regulatory frameworks tailored to advanced sectors such as automotive, aerospace, ICT, pharmaceuticals and shipbuilding. Locations like King Abdullah Economic City, Ras Al Khair, Jazan and the Cloud Computing SEZ in Riyadh are emerging as launchpads for high-value manufacturing and innovation.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom’s giga projects: NEOM, Qiddiya, Diriyah Gate and others are doing more than reshaping the urban fabric, they are fundamentally altering the nation’s industrial and logistical demands. These developments are driving significant requirements for smart supply chain systems, warehousing and construction materials. To meet this need, Saudi Arabia is aggressively scaling its logistics infrastructure, integrating advanced technologies at every stage of the value chain.

Joint ventures such as ASMO, the partnership between Saudi Aramco and DHL Supply Chain, are early examples of the Kingdom’s pivot towards fully integrated, tech-enabled logistics ecosystems. These partnerships signal a clear shift: logistics in Saudi Arabia is no longer about space. It's about intelligence, automation and speed.

The warehousing sector is undergoing its own reinvention. Legacy facilities are quickly being outpaced by the new standard: smart warehouses that are digitally optimised, energy efficient and future-proof. These facilities rely on AI-driven inventory systems, autonomous robotics and IoT-enabled environments

that adjust operations in real-time. In this two-speed market, demand is consolidating around facilities that offer flexibility, visibility and scale, while older stock is fast becoming irrelevant.

The scale of opportunity for both local and global investors is vast but unlocking it requires alignment with the Kingdom’s digital-first strategy. While international developers such as Panattoni Europe are eyeing entry, many domestic landholders remain hesitant to build speculatively. This gap presents a strategic opening for joint ventures, where foreign expertise in high-spec development can be paired with local land access and government-backed incentives.

Saudi Arabia’s industrial agenda is not just about steel, cement, or square metres. It is about data, design and digital velocity. The infrastructure being built today is designed for a borderless future: cloud-integrated SEZs, AI-managed supply chains and smart cities that operate as platforms, not just places.

For global developers, logistics operators and technology leaders, the message is clear. The Kingdom is open, the blueprint is defined and the demand is real. Those who act now strategically and at scale won’t just participate in Saudi Arabia’s industrial future. They’ll help build it.