As Saudi Arabia accelerates one of the world’s most ambitious industrial transformations, the kingdom’s heavy-equipment and machinery sector will take centre stage at the upcoming Heavy Equipment Connect Forum & Expo (HEC 2026).

To be held from February 2 to 4 at the Dhahran International Exhibitions Centre in Dammam, HEC 2026 is Saudi Arabia’s only dedicated exhibition and conference focused exclusively on the heavy-equipment and construction-machinery ecosystem. 

The event promotes localisation, innovation, and investment, supporting the Kingdom’s industrial objectives while connecting global expertise with national opportunity.

Held under the patronage of Bandar bin Ibrahim Al Khorayef, Minister of Industry & Mineral Resources, the HEC 2026 will convene senior government officials, global manufacturers, investors, and industry leaders to advance Saudi Arabia’s industrial ambitions in line with Vision 2030.

By bringing together policymakers, innovators, and investors under one roof, the event is designed to catalyse partnerships that will shape the next generation of Saudi infrastructure and manufacturing capacity, said the organisers.

It aims to strengthen national capabilities across high-growth machinery and equipment verticals while attracting international expertise and capital, they stated. 

Hosted by the National Industrial Development Center (NIDC) in co-ordination with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, this year's edition is designed to position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for machinery excellence, industrial innovation, and cross-border collaboration.

"The Heavy Equipment Connect Forum & Expo is more than an industry gathering - it is a platform for action that supports the kingdom’s industrial strategy," remarked Khalid Al Homoud, the Executive Vice President of NIDC. 

"Under Vision 2030, we are building an ecosystem that enables Saudi-made equipment, components, and technologies to compete globally. By connecting policy, innovation, and investment, HEC 2026 will accelerate localisation and strengthen high-value manufacturing across the machinery and equipment sectors," he stated.

Running alongside the forum, the HEC exhibition will host more than 100 regional and international exhibitors, showcasing the latest in construction, lifting, power, and smart equipment technologies. 

The exhibition will feature a 30,000-square-metre outdoor display zone, a 10,000-square-metre indoor exhibition hall, and a 5,000-square-metre live demonstration area, offering visitors a hands-on look at next-generation machinery in action.

The HEC Forum will span two days of high-level discussions featuring senior government officials, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and private-sector leaders, said the organisers. 

Sessions will explore Saudi Arabia’s evolving investment landscape, government support programmes, giga-projects, supply-chain development, workforce and skills, sector innovation, and the rapidly expanding rental and leasing market for heavy equipment, they added.-TradeArabia News Service