Saudi Arabia’s Sudair Industrial City inks region’s first industrial partnership with Japan

The collaboration is focused on the production and localization of concrete materials for 3D printing. Shutterstock
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Updated 24 December 2023
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Saudi Arabia’s Sudair Industrial City inks region’s first industrial partnership with Japan

RIYADH: Saudi-Japanese ties will continue to strengthen following the Middle East’s first partnership agreement in the industrial sector between Sudair Industrial City and Japan.

The collaboration is focused on producing and localizing concrete materials for 3D printing and exporting products from Saudi Arabia to global markets, according to a report by Al-Ekhbariya.

The partnership marks a significant advancement in construction technology within the Kingdom, particularly in the use of concrete.

The new technology is expected to be employed in the construction of towers and bridges and in the application of non-load-bearing insulated panels for walls.

These panels are designed to offer high flexibility, allowing for easy alteration or removal post-construction.

One of the key benefits of this new 3D concrete technology is its potential to reduce carbon emissions.

Compared to traditional construction methods, this approach is projected to cut carbon emissions by up to 70 percent, representing a substantial step toward more sustainable building practices.

Saudi Arabia’s push for industrial advancement has been evident in its strong cooperation with other nations.

Last week, the Kingdom marked another milestone in its ongoing industrial effort as its industry minister met with his Korean counterpart in Seoul.

Saudi Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Alkhorayef met Korean Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Lee Chang-yang on Dec. 16 to discuss opportunities to enhance industrial cooperation between the two nations.

During the meeting, the ministers signed a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, also known as MODON, and the Korean GL Rapha Holding Co. with an investment value of SR750 million ($199.93 million).

The MoU calls to facilitate the manufacturing of vaccines, biotechnology and chemicals by allocating 51,000 square meters of industrial land in Sudair Industrial City.

Furthermore, the two countries explored developments in joint projects, agreements, and investment opportunities in various industrial sectors, as well as increasing trade exchange and possibilities for developing non-oil exports.

The meeting also emphasized historical ties and the importance of mutual visits to elevate collaborative relations into new realms, including the industrial and mining sectors.

Additional discussions took place on the forum’s sidelines, involving representatives from the Korean government and leaders from the country’s major companies in the mining industry sector.


Saudi exchange leads GCC in foreign net buying in 2025, hits $5.5bn: Kamco Invest

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Saudi exchange leads GCC in foreign net buying in 2025, hits $5.5bn: Kamco Invest

RIYADH: Foreign investors poured $5.5 billion into the Saudi exchange in 2025, the highest net buying in the Gulf Cooperation Council, an analysis showed. 

In its latest report, Kamco Invest said the Kingdom was followed by the Abu Dhabi and Kuwait exchanges, which saw net foreign inflows of $3.4 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, over the 12 months.

Dubai and Qatar also registered net buying in 2025, amounting to $1.3 billion and $171 million, respectively. 

The steady performance in the majority of exchanges in the region comes as GCC equity markets continue to attract global capital, buoyed by strong corporate earnings and ongoing economic reforms.

“The yearly trend indicated continued positive activity by foreign investors on GCC exchanges in 2025, although total buying declined over the course of the year,” said Kamco Invest in the report. 

According to the analysis, the Oman Exchange recorded the largest net sales by foreign investors in 2025 at $440 million, followed by Bahrain, which posted net sales of $10.3 million. 

In the fourth quarter of 2025, net buying by foreign investors in the Kingdom stood at $1 billion, followed by Oman at $86.6 million. 

All other exchanges, excluding the Kingdom and Oman, witnessed a net selling trend in the fourth quarter. 

“Quarterly trading data showed that foreign investors were net sellers in Q4-2025 on all exchanges barring Saudi Arabia and Oman. Saudi Arabia recorded net foreign buying of $1 billion, while Oman saw net inflows of $86.6 million during the (fourth) quarter, partially offsetting the overall net sales across the region,” added Kamco Invest. 

Foreign investors were the biggest sellers of Abu Dhabi stocks with net sales of $1 billion during the quarter, followed by Kuwait at $187.9 million, Bahrain at $45.6 million, and Qatar at $8.8 million. 

Saudi Arabia and Oman also recorded consecutive net buying by foreign investors across all three months of the fourth quarter, signaling rising investor interest in these countries. 

Dubai exhibited a net selling trend during the first two months of the fourth quarter, which subsequently reversed to net buying in the final month of the year. 

Qatar registered net buying in the first month of the quarter before shifting to net selling in the second month, and returned to net buying in the final month.

The UAE and Kuwait exchanges experienced consistent net selling by foreign investors across all three months of the fourth quarter.

Kamco Invest said that the key factors which affected the flow of foreign money in the region included regional market trends, economic health of individual countries and crude oil prices.