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RIYADH: ����ֱ��’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources processed 524 requests for chemical clearance services in August, underscoring the Kingdom’s efforts to boost industrial investment and streamline regulatory processes. 

The requests included 510 permits for importing unrestricted chemical materials and 14 applications for importing restricted substances, the ministry said on social media platform X, adding that 838 export permit requests were also submitted during the same period. 

The chemical clearance service is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency and facilitate access to critical raw materials, supporting the growth of ����ֱ��’s industrial sector. 

Mohammed Al-Kharaj, director general of industrial and mineral licenses at the ministry, said the chemical clearance service enables industrial investors to apply for import or export permits for chemical substances through the comprehensive industrial services platform. 

He explained that the service aims to streamline clearance procedures for chemical substances and provide a fully electronic process for industrial facilities, ensuring smooth and timely operations. 

Al-Kharaj stressed that the service enhances competitiveness in the chemical sector and contributes to strengthening its role in supporting the national economy. 

He added that chemical clearance services form part of the ministry’s digital transformation strategy, which focuses on improving operational efficiency and simplifying procedures for investors, thereby creating a more attractive investment environment in the Kingdom. 

According to the ministry, these measures reflect its commitment to enabling industrial facilities to access essential raw materials and chemical inputs in a timely manner. It said this plays a key role in supporting the growth and expansion of ����ֱ��’s industrial ecosystem. 

����ֱ��’s industrial sector has shown steady growth in recent months, driven particularly by the chemicals segment. The Kingdom’s industrial output in July rose significantly, with the chemicals sub-sector alone increasing by about 8.9 percent year over year. 

In 2024, manufacturing sectors expanded by 4.7 percent, with the output of chemicals and chemical products forming part of that growth, along with refined petroleum goods and coke. 

These improvements are occurring in the context of broader government policies like the standardized industrial incentives program, which aims to boost competitiveness, attract high-value investment, and position the Kingdom as a global hub for manufacturing and chemicals.  

RIYADH: Riyadh’s industrial and logistics sector recorded an annual rental growth of 9.3 percent in the second quarter of 2025, reinforcing the Saudi capital’s role as a regional industrial hub, according to a JLL report.  

The analysis by the real estate advisory firm showed that annual rental growth rates in Riyadh ranged from 4.7 percent to 25 percent across warehouses in all industrial submarkets, reflecting broad-based demand fundamentals as the city benefits from ongoing economic diversification initiatives. 

Strengthening the industrial sector is one of the key pillars of ����ֱ��’s Vision 2030 agenda, with the Kingdom steadily reducing its reliance on crude oil revenues. 

The growth in rental rates across the industrial and logistics segment also underscores the expansion of ����ֱ��’s real estate market, as the Kingdom strengthens its position as a business hub in the region.  

The Kingdom’s Real Estate General Authority forecasts the property market will reach $101.62 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 8 percent from 2024. 

Taimur Khan, head of research at JLL Middle East and Africa, said: “The overall healthy rental growth across ����ֱ��’s industrial markets reflects the impact of ongoing industrial development and logistics infrastructure improvements, driven by Vision 2030’s ambitious agenda.”   

He added: “Well-positioned submarkets, located along major transportation corridors, are primed for stronger performance in the months ahead. As industrial occupiers continue to focus on modern facilities and strategic locations, this will further shape the market’s trajectory and drive demand, supporting the Kingdom’s economic transformation goals.”  

Industrial Gate City in Riyadh retained its premium position with rental rates amounting to SR300 ($79.97) per sq. meter per annum, followed closely by Tharawat Logistics at SR285 per sq. meter per annum.  

Taybah emerged as the city’s standout performer with a 25 percent annual rental increase, while Al Fawzan Industrial City recorded a 17.8 percent rise. 

In Jeddah, the industrial markets posted a healthy 4.5 percent rental growth in the second quarter. Jeddah Islamic Port maintained its status as ����ֱ��’s most premium industrial location, commanding SR450 per sq. meter per annum with a 7.1 percent annual increase. 

“Rental levels in this (Jeddah Islamic Port) top-tier location significantly outpaced both Riyadh and Dammam, reinforcing its strategic value for trade-dependent operations. Despite rental increases in the majority of Jeddah’s submarkets, growth rates were more moderate than in the Saudi capital,” JLL said.  

The Dammam Metropolitan Area saw headline rents increase by 10.8 percent in the second quarter, although submarkets experienced a fragmented performance.  

Al Khalidiyah Shamaliyah posted the highest rates at SR235 per sq. meter per annum with 9.3 percent growth. Indus-Comm was an exceptional outlier, delivering the strongest rental growth at 32.4 percent. 

King Abdulaziz Road demonstrated strong momentum with 20 percent annual growth despite offering the most affordable rates at SR180 per sq. meter per annum. 

Al Taawun was the only submarket across all three major cities to record a rental decline, with a 6.3 percent annual drop.