IN the Kingdom, there are over 6,000 factories and around 40 industrial cities. Does that mean we are an industrialized country? I do not think so. Industrialization is measured by the value or contribution of industry to the Gross National Product (GNP), and the Kingdom's present level is good. In December 2014, Ali Al-Ayed, director of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF), said GDP rose from SR15 billion in 1975 to SR172 billion at the end of 2013 based on the fixed prices of downstream industries. Growth rates of the industrial sector have increased gradually throughout this period. The annual average growth of GDP for downstream industries reached 6 percent during this time. This growth rate is the highest and most sustainable as compared to the rates of other economic sectors. This is positive growth and development; however, more effort must be exerted to localize and bolster our industrial sector in terms of quantity and quality. I would not say that we need 10,000 factories although I wish that we had 100,000 factories. Having such a large number of factories would bolster our local economy. I strongly believe that this is a real strategic option in the future. We need to localize our industries, offer facilities and create industrial stimulants, as well as train young Saudis to venture into the industrial sector. It is not enough to say that we need factories and then do nothing about it. Action should be taken to create an environment conducive to building such a large number of factories. Of course, we have to provide all employees in industrial cities with education, housing, health facilities, entertainment and proper transportation. I hope the industrial sector grows tenfold. At the same time, I appreciate and recognize the great effort exerted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the government. More needs to be done. We have to tap into all resources and invest in the industrial sector.
