SABIC Highlights its Nusaned™ Local Content Initiative at World Defense Show

SABIC, ranked among the world’s largest chemicals manufacturers, highlighted its NUSANED™ local content initiative focused on increasing localization of jobs and attracting international investment as part of its principal partnership with the Kingdom’s inaugural World Defense Show in Riyadh from March 6 to 9.

SABIC also attended the Riyadh Defense Forum 2022 organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies as a preparatory event for the global show. The forum hosted a number of defense officials, governmental figures, and business leaders from around the world to discuss the latest trends in the defense sector that will shape the future of defense and security.

Abdullah Al-Arifi, SABIC Vice President, Local Content & Business Development, commented: “We were honored to be a part of this global defense show and demonstrate how we are developing innovative solutions, as we continue contributing to the successful achievement of Saudi Vision 2030. Through our NUSANED™ initiative, we are promoting small businesses in Saudi Arabia and helping to diversify the nation’s economy so that a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem takes root and grows.” 

SABIC continues its efforts to support localization of industrial technologies and maximize local content in defense industries. It also helps in promoting opportunities for local investors in the defense industry in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

SABIC had a dedicated pavilion where it highlighted the NUSANED™ investor journey. Since its launch in 2018, the initiative has been contributing significantly to local content development, building a value-added local industrial base, and helping diversify the national economy, reduce imports, and generate job opportunities for Saudis.

The initiative was launched in January 2018, and several of its projects are now contributing to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and creating new job opportunities. Several agreements have been signed to promote localization of jobs, increase women’s participation in the labor market and attract investment in a wide range of fields including innovation, electricity, engineering consulting and renewables.

SABIC joined more than 500 firms from around dozens of countries demonstrating the latest technologies from air, land, sea, space and security in an optimal networking environment for collaboration and innovation. .

The event was an interactive platform for governments and industry thought leaders from across the global defense and security supply chain, to help shape the future of defense. As the industry continues to evolve, decision-makers are facing more complex choices than ever before. This makes interoperability across systems increasingly challenging.

To be held every two years, the show will provide insight and access to technological innovations that are shaping the defense industry: from start-ups and innovators to established multinationals.