GCC Industrial Investments Reach $426 Billion as China Remains Top Import Source

A GCC Statistical Center report revealed that industrial investments across the Gulf region reached approximately $426 billion across roughly 22,000 manufacturing plants. China retained its position as the largest source of imports to the GCC, making up about 20 percent of all import flows.

Published October 18, 2026 Source: Kuwait Times

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Photo: Kuwait Times

Industrial investments across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states have reached approximately $426 billion, according to a report published by the GCC Statistical Center (GCC-Stat). The region currently hosts around 22,000 operational manufacturing facilities that employ more than 1.7 million workers.

Manufacturing industries contributed an estimated 13 percent to the gross domestic product of GCC member nations in 2025, GCC-Stat stated.

China solidified its standing as the primary source of imports for the GCC bloc, representing approximately 20 percent of total Gulf import flows. Major Chinese supplies to member states were concentrated in machinery and equipment, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, and plastics.

Separately, bilateral ties between Gulf nations continue to expand, with the fifth session of the Kuwait-UAE Joint Higher Committee recently convening in Abu Dhabi to sign memoranda of understanding in developmental sectors including infrastructure, telecommunications, information technology, cybersecurity, and defense procurement.