Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Khalil bin Salamah, Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Affairs, said Saudi Arabia’s 21st UNIDO General Conference, “Global Industry Summit 2025,” has seen unprecedented private sector participation. Over 40% of 5,000+ attendees are from private companies, a historic first for UNIDO.

Speaking to Al Arabiya, on the sidelines of the conference, he explained that the Kingdom’s industrial strategy relies on policy, infrastructure, and the private sector as the key drivers of industrial investment, a model now shared with other countries through UNIDO.

The conference also showcases the role of SMEs in economic growth, including women-led enterprises, which now make up 40% of small and medium businesses in Saudi Arabia.

The conference, hosted in Riyadh for the first time, brings together representatives from governments, international organizations, the private sector, and entrepreneurs. It focuses on three main themes: investment, women, and youth.