Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef officially inaugurated the expanded PepsiCo manufacturing facility in Dammam’s Second Industrial City on Thursday. The ceremony was attended by Ahmed El Sheikh, President and General Manager for Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan Foods at PepsiCo.
Food Manufacturing Sector
During the inauguration, Minister Alkhorayef emphasized the significance of PepsiCo’s growth within Saudi Arabia’s food manufacturing sector—a key focus area under the National Industrial Strategy. He reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to supporting the company’s expansion by offering essential enablers for innovation, product development, and operational growth. These efforts aim to position Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in food production and exports.
PepsiCo’s Commitment to Kingdom
Ahmed El Sheikh underscored Saudi Arabia’s role as a vital growth hub for PepsiCo’s regional and global operations. He also pointed to the Dammam facility expansion and the company’s new regional headquarters as examples of PepsiCo’s long-term investment in the Kingdom. Both initiatives reflect the company’s alignment with national and regional economic priorities.
Future Investment, Local Empowerment
El Sheikh also shared PepsiCo’s plans to further enhance its presence in Saudi Arabia. These include exploring new investment opportunities, supporting local agriculture, creating jobs, strengthening supply chains, and expanding exports. Currently, PepsiCo operates in 86 locations across the country and employs around 9,000 people. Moreover, at the Dammam facility, 84% of the workforce are Saudi nationals, and women make up approximately 22% of the total staff.
Over the past eight years, PepsiCo has invested more than SAR 9 billion in the Kingdom. In 2023 alone, the company allocated SAR 300 million for the expansion and modernization of its Dammam plant, signaling its continued commitment to growth and innovation in Saudi Arabia.
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