JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia will participate in the 2024 China Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, aiming to foster partnerships and further develop its military sector.
The General Authority for Military Industries is coordinating the Saudi pavilion’s participation in the global event scheduled for Nov. 12 to 17.
The Kingdom’s defense sector is projected to make a significant contribution to the national economy by 2030, with an expected gross domestic product contribution of $17 billion and a direct addition of $9 billion to non-oil revenues. The division’s growth is set to create 100,000 direct and indirect job opportunities by the end of the decade.
Some 74 investment opportunities are emerging from efforts to develop and localize supply chains, with an estimated value of SR150 billion ($40 billion). The total investment contribution from the defense sector is expected to reach $10 billion by 2030, according to the GAMI website.
Saudi Arabia’s participation in international events marks a crucial step in solidifying the Kingdom’s position as one of the fastest-growing economies among the G20 nations, said a statement by GAMI.
The initiative also emphasizes the country’s commitment to attracting global investors and advancing the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 within the military sector.
The Kingdom’s pavilion will showcase a range of military products and equipment, particularly in aviation, underscoring the nation’s efforts to enhance national military manufacturing capabilities. By 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to localize over 50 percent of government spending on military equipment and services.
The pavilion will also highlight the sector’s investment potential and the favorable environment for investments in the counttry’s defense and military industries.
Established in 2017, GAMI collaborates with government entities and private sector partners to empower national and international firms within the military industry. This initiative aims to localize and enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities, positioning the sector as a key contributor to Saudi Arabia’s economic prosperity and defense independence.
Several government bodies, including the Ministry of Investment and the General Authority for Defense Development, are participating in the Saudi pavilion at the exhibition, alongside companies such as the National Co. for Mechanical Systems, WAKEB Co. for Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems, Milestone Aviation Services, and Homat Al-Watan Co, said the statement.
GAMI’s efforts, in partnership with the public and private sectors, support the growth of the national economy by establishing policies and regulations that create a good investment environment.
The sector is now more accessible to investors due to its market size, cross-sector impact, competitive advantages, and GAMI’s focus on developing industrial participation programs and policies.