GCC industrial investments reach $426bn across 22,000 facilities
Manufacturing sector employs 1.7 million people and contributes 13 percent of regional GDP as of July 2026.
GCC industrial investments reached $426 billion across 22,000 factories as of July 2026, employing 1.7 million people, according to data published by the GCC Statistical Center. Manufacturing contributed approximately 13 percent of the GCC states' gross domestic product in 2025. The GCC-Stat report released in October 2026 covered industrial activity across all six member states.
Investment concentration in five sectors#
Around 40 percent of industrial investments are concentrated in plastics, refined petroleum products, aluminium, gaseous fuels, and iron and steel. The GCC-Stat report did not break down the $426 billion figure by individual member state or provide a comparable figure from a prior period. The data showed differences in the scale of industrial activity among member states in terms of investment and factory numbers, though specific country-level figures were not disclosed.
Industrial products account for 69 percent of exports#
Industrial products accounted for approximately 69 percent of total GCC exports. Key exports included petroleum gases and hydrocarbons, petroleum oils, motor vehicles, organic compounds, aluminium, ships and boats, and electrical machinery and equipment. The report did not specify the total value of industrial exports or the reporting period for the 69 percent share. Petroleum gases and hydrocarbons were listed first among the export categories.
China supplies 20 percent of regional imports#
China accounted for around 20 percent of total GCC imports, making it the region's largest source. Major imported goods included equipment and machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, and plastics. The GCC-Stat data did not provide the total value of imports or identify the second-largest source country. The report noted that supplies were sourced from a diverse range of markets beyond China.
Factory count and employment figures#
The 22,000 factories employed 1.7 million people as of July 2026. The GCC Statistical Center released the data in October 2026. The report did not state the number of factories or employment levels in a prior period for comparison. The statistical release covered industrial investments, factory counts, employment, GDP contribution, export composition and import sources.
Sources2 sources across 2 domains
- saudigazette.com.saSaudi Gazette$426 billion investment figure, 22,000 factories, 1.7 million employees, 13 percent GDP contribution, 40 percent concentration in five sectors, 69 percent export share, 20 percent China import share, all as of July 2026
- timesofoman.comTimes of Oman$426 billion investment total and 22,000 factory count
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