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The Gulf Statistical Centre issued its latest industrial data this month showing the scale of manufacturing activity across the six member states. The centre’s figures place total investments at $426 billion with the factory count nearing 22,000 and employment surpassing 1.7 million workers. The statistics reflect conditions through July 2026 and were presented in conjunction with regional industry forums.
Saudi Arabia leads with 9,904 factories and $245.2 billion in investments according to the Gulf Statistical Centre. The United Arab Emirates follows with 7,330 factories and $42.5 billion while Qatar reports 1,015 factories and $68 billion invested. Kuwait maintains 927 factories with $25.4 billion in investments Oman has 1,932 factories and $25 billion and Bahrain operates 856 factories with $19.9 billion completing the regional total.
The plastics and synthetic rubber sector accounts for the largest share of investments at $66 billion a GCC General Secretariat review found. Refined petroleum products attracted $44.5 billion with primary aluminium production drawing $22.7 billion. Gas fuel manufacturing and iron and steel production also feature among the top investment categories by volume.
Manufacturing contributed 13 percent to GCC gross domestic product in 2025 according to the statistical centre. The sector has recorded steady increases in both factory registrations and workforce numbers over recent years. Data from the centre tracks these trends across all member states on a regular basis.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi highlighted the region’s global standing in remarks connected to the October industry events. He cited the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s 2025 Competitive Industrial Performance index which ranked the UAE 32nd worldwide and Saudi Arabia 34th. Albudaiwi added that GCC states occupy six of the top seven Arab positions in the index with two members surpassing the global average.
The GCC approved five joint industrial investment opportunities in the first phase of a project aimed at developing 20 such ventures in total the secretary-general stated. The Industrial Cooperation Committee endorsed the selections to support greater cross-border collaboration. These opportunities focus on strategic manufacturing areas that leverage combined regional resources.
