Saudi Arabia is advancing plans to expand its domestic healthcare manufacturing base into complex and high-technology medical equipment, as part of a broader industrial transformation strategy aligned with Vision 2030.
According to statements reported by Al-Eqtisadiah Newspaper, Eng. Nizar Al-Hariri, Adviser to the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for the pharmaceutical and medical devices sector, confirmed that the Kingdom is working to localize the production of advanced surgical instruments, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, radiology equipment, and cardiac catheters.
The initiative reflects a strategic shift from traditional, lower-complexity medical manufacturing toward technologically advanced devices requiring sophisticated engineering capabilities, precision manufacturing standards, and integrated supply chains. These product categories are generally associated with high regulatory thresholds and advanced quality-control frameworks, positioning them at the upper end of the medical device value chain.
In parallel, pharmaceutical sector investments are reported to exceed SAR 11 billion, supporting efforts to strengthen domestic production capacity, reduce import dependence, and enhance national health security. The expansion is understood to be part of a coordinated industrial policy aimed at increasing local content and building advanced manufacturing competencies within the Kingdom.
