Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has launched the “Rafed” program to establish innovative factories in universities and technical colleges in the Kingdom, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
“Rafed” program aims primarily at signing effective deals with academic institutions and boosting innovation and research in the field of advanced manufacturing in line with the National Industrial Strategy.
During the launch ceremony, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef emphasized the significance of advanced national industry in achieving “Saudi Vision 2030” and building a diversified and sustainable economy.
The Minister also indicated that the industrial sector faces some challenges notably the need to develop advanced technologies, enhance innovation, and promote human cadres.
Thus, the ministry has launched the current program as a strategic solution to address these challenges and bring innovative practices to the industrial sector.
Strategic Partnerships
The ceremony highlighted the signing of several agreements and partnerships under the umbrella of “Rafed” program.
These included the following deals:
- A MoU between Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University and Autonomous Technologies for Industry Co to set up a drone factory at the university
- Various partnerships between King Abdulaziz University and Haven Scientific to establish a state-of-the-art factory for medical products
- An agreement between Qassim University and United Defense to launch an advanced drone system manufacturing facility
- An agreement between Umm Al-Qura University, represented by Wadi Makkah Company for Technology, and the Abu Al-Jadayel Food Services to establish a food manufacturing factory at the university
The program also allocated specific industrial lands, spanning over 1.4 million square meters, at King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa for food and environmental industries.
Rafed also allocated a land plot covering 1.5 million square meters at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah for industries related to Hajj.
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