The investment in the sweets and chocolate industry in Saudi Arabia has reached SR35 billion ($9.3 billion) through 1,066 factories as of mid-July, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has revealed.

A report issued by the National Industrial Information Centre noted that the investment in sweets and chocolate factories constitutes 1.38 per cent of the total investment volume in Saudi factories, pointing out that foreign investments in the sweets industry accounted for 3 per cent of the total investments, while Saudi investors in the sector comprise 92 per cent. The remaining 5 per cent was distributed among joint capitals, an SPA report said.

The report showed that the Riyadh accounted for the highest share of factories with 377 factories that represent 35 per cent of the total number of factories, followed by Makkah with 294 factories and Qassim Region with 133 factories.