The US chocolate manufacturer Mars is conducting a feasibility study for a confectionary factory at the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Saudi Arabia.

We have identified Kaec as the ideal location and we are working [with Kaec] to finalise this feasibility study

Ahmed Bayoumi, Mars GCC

Ahmed Bayoumi, general manager, Mars GCC says that the company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the KAEC to jointly undergo an in-house study for the plant.

“We have identified KAEC as the ideal location within Saudi Arabia and we are working together [with the KAEC] to finalise this feasibility study,” says Bayoumi. “Once we enter a market we look at forming a strategic long–term plan that spans multiple years.”

Bayoumi adds that the study will hopefully be completed by the end of 2010. The official also says that the Mars brands that will be produced at the site will be decided once the study is completed.

The budget for the proposed facility in the kingdom has also not yet been decided.

Mars recently inaugurated its new $40m expansion at its factory at Jebel Ali in Dubai. The facility will produce the company’s Snickers and Mars bar brands for both the GCC and international markets.   

The KAEC is located on the Red Sea coast 100 kilometres north of Jeddah. The industrial area covers 63 square kilometres and is dedicated to industrial and manufacturing facilities.