Industrial investments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have reached $426 billion, while the number of factories is approaching 22,000 units. According to the latest statistics, the industrial sector has employed over 1.7 million people.
The role of the manufacturing sector in the Gulf economy
The manufacturing sector constituted approximately 13.0 percent of the gross domestic product of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in 2025. This statistic reflects the importance of this sector in supporting the economies of member countries, promoting economic diversification, and increasing the share of non-oil activities. The countries in the region, relying on this data, are seeking to strengthen their economic foundations and create more job opportunities for their citizens.
Focus of investments in key industries
About 40 percent of industrial investments are concentrated in a group of key industries such as plastics, refined petroleum products, aluminum, gas fuels, and iron and steel. These industries serve as an important foundation for manufacturing and intermediate industries and help integrate industrial value chains.
In foreign trade, industrial products account for nearly 69 percent of the total exports of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Major exports include petroleum gases and hydrocarbons, petroleum oils, motor vehicles, organic compounds, aluminum, ships and boats, and electrical machinery and equipment.
Trade and imports in the Gulf
On the other hand, China accounts for nearly 20 percent of the total imports of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and is recognized as the largest source of imports in the region. Major imported goods include equipment and machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, and plastics, sourced from diverse markets.
These indicators reflect the expansion and diversification of the industrial base across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and reflect the differences in the scale of industrial activities among member countries in terms of investment and the number of factories. This trend is advancing efforts to expand production capacity, develop value chains, strengthen industrial integration in the Gulf, localize industries, and enhance the competitiveness of Gulf products in global markets.
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