Developing a Saudi automotive industry with integrated local supply chains was the focus of a session titled "Gateway to Discrete Manufacturing in the Kingdom" on the second day of the Saudi Industry Forum 2026 at Jeddah Superdome, held under the theme "Innovation for Sustainability."

Participants explained that discrete manufacturing, which covers cars, machinery, equipment and other individual products, differs from process industries, and said expanding it is a major route to a more diverse industrial base and to turning manufacturing outputs into value-added goods.

Supply chains were singled out as the main enabler: the sector's growth, speakers said, depends on a network of local suppliers able to meet manufacturers' needs and produce components locally, supported by suitable legislation, financing and logistics.

The session also pointed to openings for entrepreneurs and industrial firms to make components locally, and to ways of turning shortages of certain materials and parts into industrial and investment opportunities, raising local content and the competitiveness of national products.