Page 77 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Digital Transformation to Boost Saudi Industrial Productivity by Up to 25%,

Says Aramco CEO

Integrating digital technologies is set Nasser said: “Preliminary estimates Aramco, we are working to establish a
to increase Saudi Arabia’s industrial suggest that effective integration of digital digital infrastructure that becomes an
productivity by 15 to 25 percent, according technologies could increase Saudi Arabia’s integral part of empowering the industrial
to Aramco President and CEO Amin industrial productivity by 15 percent to 25 sector,” Nasser said, adding: “This
Nasser. Speaking during the Saudi Industry percent.” He added: “Thanks to successive includes the launch of Aramco Digtal
Forum in Dhahran, Nasser stated that the technological developments, industries will Company, as well as a 450 MHz private
Kingdom’s shift into a new industrial era emerge over the next 10 years dominated by wireless network dedicated to industrial
calls for an increased focus on digital advanced technologies to a degree we have use by the private sector.” He continued:
transformation and the need to align it never seen before.” Nasser noted that the “Aramco Digital has also introduced an
with proactive cybersecurity strategies. world is undergoing profound geopolitical edge artificial intelligence service — AI on
This comes as Saudi Arabia works to shifts and intensifying competition across the Edge — designed for critical industrial
solidify its position as a regional and technological, industrial, and economic facilities and complex applications, such
global digital powerhouse, backed by major domains — trends that are accelerating the as crowd management during Hajj.” In the
advances in artificial intelligence, data transformation of Saudi Arabia’s industrial cybersecurity sphere, Aramco established
centers, e-government, and human capital landscape. He emphasized the need to Cyberani in 2021, a company focused on
development. The Kingdom has emerged prepare for this future, particularly as the delivering industrial-grade solutions and
as the Middle East and North Africa’s Kingdom continues to invest in artificial software protection technologies. “Aramco
largest digital economy, with a market value intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, is working on projects to develop artificial
exceeding SR495 billion ($131.9 billion) in and automation. These technologies, he intelligence platforms, data centers, and
2024 — equivalent to 15 percent of its gross explained, are aimed at more than just smart industrial complexes,” Nasser said.
domestic product, according to figures optimizing factory operations; they are He warned of the risks accompanying
from the Ministry of Communications and vital for enhancing industrial productivity digital advancement, stating: “A technical
Information Technology. In his remarks, and ensuring operational reliability. “At malfunction or external interference
through digital systems or control platforms
could impact operations and disrupt the
performance of industrial and economic
facilities — especially those that do not
invest sufficiently in digital protection.”
Highlighting the human element in digital
security, he stated: “The most critical
aspect of proactive protection systems
is the development of human capabilities
and deep expertise.” Nasser concluded
by stressing the importance of localizing
digital supply chains and enhancing
technological resilience. “Building future
Saudi industries supported by flexible supply
chains, competitive costs, and excellence
in artificial intelligence is essential and
highly important — but it is not enough
unless it is accompanied by proactive
investment in digital protection,” he said.
The Saudi Industry Forum 2025, held from
June 23–25 at the Dhahran International
Exhibition Center, is sponsored by Eastern
Province Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin
Abdulaziz. The event aims to elevate the
Kingdom’s industrial sector in alignment
with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to
diversify income sources and increase the
sector’s contribution to the gross domestic
product.

77 JUNE-JULY 2025