Saudi Arabia is preparing to host Riyadh International Industry Week 2026, which will take place June 21–24 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and organized by Riyadh Exhibitions Company. More than 400 exhibitors from over 20 countries are expected to participate. A central feature of this year’s event is the strategic partnership with Germany’s Messe Düsseldorf, a collaboration that strengthens the exhibition’s international dimension and reinforces Riyadh’s position as a regional center for industry and investment. Mohammed Al-Husseini, CEO of Riyadh Exhibitions Company, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Riyadh International Industry Week serves as a platform bringing together leading specialized industrial exhibitions. He said the partnership with Messe Düsseldorf has helped advance the plastics, rubber, processing, packaging, and printing sectors through the exchange of expertise and international best practices. According to Al-Husseini, the event has, over 21 editions, supported the development of Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector and established itself as a key forum for knowledge sharing and the presentation of new industrial technologies and solutions. It also supports industrial expansion, innovation, and strategic partnerships in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Founded in 1947, Messe Düsseldorf is one of the world’s leading trade fair organizers. The German city hosts roughly 40 trade fairs each year, including about 20 events regarded as global leaders in their respective industries. Among its flagship exhibitions are K, focused on plastics and rubber; Interpack, dedicated to processing and packaging; and Drupa, which specializes in printing technologies. These exhibitions form the basis of the partnership between Messe Düsseldorf and Riyadh Exhibitions Company. The collaboration was formally announced during Riyadh International Industry Week 2025 through a strategic agreement enabling the Saudi event to benefit from the expertise and standards associated with those international exhibitions. The move reflected Saudi Arabia’s growing appeal as a destination for industrial investment. The partnership is being expanded in the 2026 edition through three specialized exhibitions: the 21st Saudi Plastics and Petrochemicals Exhibition, the Saudi Print and Pack Exhibition, and the fourth Saudi Smart Logistics Exhibition. Beyond the exhibitions, an international conference opening June 22 will feature panel discussions and workshops on carbon-emissions reduction, the circular economy, sustainability, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, industrial investment opportunities, and ways to enhance the competitiveness of Saudi factories. The event comes as Saudi Arabia continues efforts to expand its industrial base, increase local content, diversify its economy, strengthen supply chains, and adopt advanced technologies. Organizers say the Riyadh-Düsseldorf partnership is expected to support industrial knowledge transfer, attract investment, and deepen international cooperation in the years ahead.
