RIYADH —The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources revealed that as many as 1,735 citizens have been employed in Saudi factories during September. A total of 98 new factories have also been licensed during the last month. In its monthly report, the ministry stated that there has been an increase of 1,102 workers in the total number of the workforce in the sector after 633 expatriates left and 1,735 citizens entered the sector. The ministry also issued licenses to 98 new factories during the month with a volume of investments amounting to SR8.7 billion. Out of the total factories, 53 factories began actual production during the month, while the estimated number of licensed workers for new factories reached 3,719. The ministry noted that building materials factories topped the industrial facilities with 1,919 factories, and it was followed by metal industry factories with 1,607, and food factories that reached 1,304.