Pfizer lays foundation stone for factory in KAEC

Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH – Pfizer Inc., one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, announced Wednesday that it has laid the foundation stone for its drug factory which will be constructed in the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), the first in the Gulf region, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The foundation stone was laid during an event held here Wednesday and attended by the secretary general of the Economic Cities Authority (ECA), Muhanad Hilal, and senior officials of the Ministry of Health, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The new plant will start operating in 2015 and will incorporate medicine manufacturing and packaging technologies to produce Pfizer medicines in the Kingdom. The production capability is expected to reach 18 million medicine packets per annum.

The governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) Abdul Latif Al-Othman said this project reflects the fact that the Kingdom enjoys an excellent investment environment due to its stable economy and solid infrastructure.

“We welcome any similar vital projects and we’ll provide them with all facilities needed,” he said.

The project will ensure that Pfizer medicines are available throughout the year for Saudi patients. It will also create job opportunities for Saudi citizens and train them in technical and vocational fields.

Pfizer’s operations vice president for Africa and the Middle East said Saudi Arabia is one of its main regional markets and has great growth potential.