JEDDAH: French pharmaceutical company BPI has signed a SR375 million ($100 million) agreement to establish its first manufacturing base in Saudi Arabia, securing a plot in Sudair City for Industry and Business.
The deal, signed with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, also known as MODON, under the patronage of Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Alkhorayef, covers a site exceeding 51,000 sq. meters. MODON Chief Executive Majid bin Rafid Al-Arqoubi attended the signing ceremony, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
BPI’s facilities will produce pharmaceuticals for human and veterinary use, medicinal herbs, surgical dressings, chemical sugar, and blood sugar monitoring devices.
The investment aligns with the National Industrial Strategy and Vision 2030 goals to position the Kingdom as a regional hub for biomanufacturing and medical innovation.
“MODON aims to attract new industrial and logistical investments across its industrial cities through allocations that include land, ready-made factories, and projects that support the development of infrastructure and services, contributing to industrial and economic growth,” SPA reported.
Established in 2009, Sudair City spans 16.9 million sq. meters and hosts 421 industrial facilities, marking a 12 percent increase in 2024, with more than 34,000 employees working across the food, chemical, metal, and machinery sectors.
In a separate initiative, MODON signed an agreement with Asas for Developing and Operating Industrial Cities and Takween Information Technology to establish a Center of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence.
The initiative is part of MODON’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of modern technologies in the industrial sector, supporting the country's industrial ambitions by enhancing the digital economy and boosting competitiveness.
The AI center, attended by Al-Arqoubi and Takween CEO Ahmed Sulaiman, will also streamline administrative processes, enhance efficiency, and ensure compliance with best practices and regulations, while fostering innovation and continuous learning in artificial intelligence.
MODON currently manages over 8,000 factories across 40 industrial cities in the Kingdom and offers advisory services through platforms including Indeel, which provides open data and investment opportunities, and guidance on Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to enhance production and efficiency.
