Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu
The Saudi authority managing the development and operation of the Jubail and Yanbu industrial cities — the Kingdom's largest heavy industrial complexes.
Definition
The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY) is the Saudi government authority responsible for the planning, development, and management of the industrial cities of Jubail (on the Arabian Gulf coast) and Yanbu (on the Red Sea coast) — the Kingdom’s two largest heavy industrial complexes.
Overview
Established in 1975, the RCJY was created to develop purpose-built industrial cities that would transform Saudi Arabia’s hydrocarbon resources into higher-value petrochemical, refining, and manufacturing products. Jubail Industrial City, located in the Eastern Province, has grown into one of the largest industrial complexes in the Middle East, housing dozens of petrochemical plants, refineries, steel mills, and supporting industries. Yanbu Industrial City, on the western coast, serves as the Kingdom’s primary Red Sea-facing industrial hub.
The RCJY provides comprehensive infrastructure and urban services for both cities, including industrial land allocation, utilities (power, water, wastewater), transportation networks, residential communities, schools, healthcare facilities, and recreational amenities. This integrated approach — providing not just factory space but complete liveable communities — has been a model for industrial city development in the Gulf region.
The commission has overseen multiple expansion phases, with Jubail 2 and Yanbu 2 adding significant new industrial capacity and residential areas. Together, the two cities host over 200 industrial facilities operated by major Saudi and international companies and employ hundreds of thousands of workers.
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | 1975 |
| Cities Managed | Jubail (Eastern Province), Yanbu (Red Sea coast) |
| Industrial Facilities | 200+ across both cities |
| Key Industries | Petrochemicals, refining, steel, fertilizer, desalination |
| Major Companies | SABIC, Aramco joint ventures, Ma’aden |
| Services | Infrastructure, utilities, housing, community services |
| Expansion | Jubail 2, Yanbu 2 completed |
Role in Vision 2030
The RCJY provides the physical industrial foundation upon which much of Saudi Arabia’s non-oil manufacturing capacity is built. Under Vision 2030, the commission supports the NIDLP’s target of increasing manufacturing’s GDP contribution, the localization of industrial supply chains, and the development of higher-value manufacturing industries beyond basic petrochemicals.
The industrial cities also provide a proven model for new industrial zone development under Vision 2030, including King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) and the industrial components of NEOM’s Oxagon. The RCJY’s decades of experience in managing integrated industrial communities offers valuable institutional knowledge for the Kingdom’s expanding industrial ambitions.