Accra:GCC Industrial investments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have reached approximately $426 billion, according to recent data from the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC-Stat). The region's industrial base continues to grow, with nearly 22,000 factories and employment exceeding 1.7 million people as of July 2026.

According to Saudi Press Agency, manufacturing contributed about 13.0% to the GCC states' gross domestic product in 2025. This highlights the sector's critical role in economic diversification and increasing the contribution of non-oil activities to the economies of the member states.

Key industries such as plastics, refined petroleum products, aluminum, gaseous fuels, and iron and steel receive around 40% of industrial investments. These sectors are fundamental to manufacturing and intermediate industries and play a crucial role in integrating industrial value chains.

In terms of foreign trade, industrial products represent approximately 69% of the total GCC exports. Major exports include petroleum gases and hydrocarbons, petroleum oils, motor vehicles, organic compounds, aluminum, ships and boats, and electrical machinery and equipment. China emerges as the largest source of GCC imports, accounting for about 20% of total imports, with significant goods like equipment and machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, and plastics sourced from various markets.

The data reflects the expanding and diversifying industrial base across the GCC, with varying scales of industrial activity among member states. The sector's growth, fueled by increased production capacity, investment, and trade networks, is pivotal in bolstering economic growth, developing value chains, and enhancing the competitiveness of Gulf products.