Saudi Arabia has introduced ‘Industrial Beacons Program’ to transform the Kingdom’s manufacturing industry.
Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, and Faisal Alibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning, initiated the launching ceremony. Sultan bin Khalid bin Faisal, Saudi Industrial Development Fund Chief Executive, and several senior officials attended the launch.
The program aims to empower leading national factories with Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, focusing on enhancing their productions efficiency to pave the way to earn global recognition within Global Lighthouse Network.
AlKhorayef highlighted that the program seeks to drive digital transformation in the Saudi Arabia’s manufacturing sector, in line with Saudi Vision 2030. It will empower local factories to implement Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies on a large scale, achieve operational excellence and sustainability, and earn global recognition in advanced manufacturing.
AlKhorayef also noted that the ministry aims to have 14 factories recognized as global industrial beacons by the World Economic Forum (WEF) by 2030 through the introduction of the Industrial Beacons program. This aligns with the ministry’s goal to integrate advanced and smart manufacturing solutions into national industries through the Future Factories Initiative.
In the first phase, the program will evaluate 50 leading national factories to guide them with the necessary transformation plans to earn WEF recognition to be included in the Global Lighthouse Network. The WEF’s Global Lighthouse Network comprises 153 factories who have emerged as leaders in the Fourth Industrial Revolution across various industries.
A panel discussion was held during the launch ceremony, exploring the path to obtain recognition from the WEF as a beacon. The discussion featured Mashal Al-Mishari, Saudi Aramco director of digital strategy and investment, and Per Johansson, Bosch Middle East general manager.
The session highlighted successful stories, challenges and insights gained by factories on their journey to become global industrial beacons.
