Saudia Group has invited Shanghai-based plane maker Comac to set up an assembly line in Jeddah. This offer comes as Saudi Arabia strengthens its ties with China and seeks to grow its manufacturing industry.

Saudia’s airline is also discussing the features and performance of Comac’s C919 narrow-body jet, according to Saudia spokesman Abdullah Alshahrani at the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh.

Earlier this week, Comac chairman He Dongfeng visited Saudia Group’s headquarters in Jeddah and toured the Saudia Technic’s MRO Village, an aviation services provider. The MRO Village, covering about one million square meters, will be completed in 2025 and is expected to host manufacturing operations for global aerospace companies.

“We showed him the manufacturing opportunities at this large site,” said Mr. Alshahrani. “He showed interest, but no decisions have been made yet.”

When asked why Comac would consider setting up a plant in a region where it doesn’t currently sell its aircraft, Mr. Alshahrani said that it would help Comac diversify its manufacturing base and establish a presence in the rapidly growing Middle Eastern aviation sector.