JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has introduced a new factory development consultant licensing service aimed at boosting the industrial sector. The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, seeks to enhance industrial facilities, improve their operations, boost production efficiency, and leverage the expertise of national professionals in the industrial sector. The ministry stated that the tasks of the development consultancy license include reducing material costs and developing and implementing corporate strategies. This addition to the industrial consulting licenses is part of broader efforts to develop manufacturing facilities and their operations. The role involves organizing processes, improving quality standards, analyzing performance to enhance effectiveness and competitiveness, and engaging with company stakeholders such as investors and the board of directors. The Ministry of Industry said that applicants for the license must be Saudi nationals holding at least a bachelor’s degree from a local university or college. Alternatively, applicants can qualify with an equivalent degree from an internationally recognized institution outside the Kingdom. The ministry also initiated discussions with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals to strengthen mutual scientific and academic cooperation as Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, deputy minister for mining affairs, met on Sept. 1 with Muhammad Al-Saggaf, president of KFUPM. During their meeting, attended by Bob Wilt, CEO of Saudi mining company Ma’aden, along with some KFUPM officials, the two sides focused on developing human capabilities and training specialized professionals in the sector. The deputy minister also met with the first cohort of students from the mining science and engineering program, sponsored by Ma’aden. Under this 10-year initiative, launched in November 2023 in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ma’aden agreed to sponsor 30 students annually through the program — 20 students pursuing degrees in mining engineering and 10 pursuing degrees in geology. The meeting also covered future cooperation between the ministry and KFUPM to develop partnerships in scientific and research fields, particularly in materials engineering — a significant scientific field for advancing modern and prospective industries in the Kingdom. Discussions included the growing global demand for strategic minerals due to significant shifts toward renewable energy and decarbonization initiatives. The two sides further examined the substantial growth in digital technologies and innovation within minerals and advanced industries, as well as the expansion of urban development and infrastructure projects. The gathering also included a presentation by students on their experiences with the summer training program and field trips to mining sites and mineral industries, both within and outside the Kingdom. Addressing the audience, Al-Mudaifer highlighted that the Saudi mining and minerals sector has become one of the most developed and attractive globally. He noted that recent international rankings confirm the field’s rapid growth in regulatory and fundamental environments that have been appealing to mining and mineral investments over the past five years. He also emphasized that cooperation between his ministry and academic institutions is crucial for advancing key aspects of the industrial and mining sector, including the development of a qualified national workforce through support for educational and research programs.