National Industrial Development Center

The National Industrial Development Center (NIDC) is a government center aimed to contribute to achieving sustainable industrial development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It targets influential industrial sectors in the national economy and leads efforts to develop, promote, and empower industries within these sectors.

The NIDC focuses on five rapidly growing sectors that aim to export: automotive, metals and mining processes, water desalination and energy-related spare parts, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

The center was established by a decision of the Council of Ministers in 2007, under the name National Industrial Clusters Development Program. In 2020, the Council of Ministers decision transformed the program into the National Industrial Development Center, which has a legal personality and enjoys financial and administrative independence. The center is organizationally linked to the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources.

The center's board of directors is chaired by the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and includes at least four representatives from relevant government entities and at least two representatives from the private sector with expertise and interest in the center's field of work.

The center's board of directors is responsible for formulating public policies in accordance with the center's basic regulations, which include fifteen articles. These tasks include supervising the center's operations, proposing the organizational structure of the center, preparing financial and administrative regulations, appointing the center’s employees and supervising them, and representing the center in front of the judiciary and government entities, in addition to other tasks and interests related to the center.

The center formulates policies related to its work, proposes relevant draft laws, and collaborates with related entities to provide the infrastructure, facilities, and necessary supportive services for the development of the targeted industrial sectors. It also works on attracting local and foreign industries and investments, representing the Kingdom in regional and international organizations and events related to its specialization, and providing its services to clients for a fee that should be stated according to its rules. Additionally, it offers administrative and consultancy services to investors in the targeted sectors.

Before its transformation into a center, the National Industrial Clusters Development Program achieved several accomplishments; These include the establishment of the Higher Institute for Plastic Fabrication, the Higher Institute for Rubber Industries, and the establishment of three centers for product development. These initiatives aimed to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to transform locally produced petrochemical materials into value-added products for the Kingdom's economy.