Global Investment Requests for Saudi Industrial Cities Soar

The signing ceremony for the establishment and development of 72 factories in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The signing ceremony for the establishment and development of 72 factories in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Global Investment Requests for Saudi Industrial Cities Soar

The signing ceremony for the establishment and development of 72 factories in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The signing ceremony for the establishment and development of 72 factories in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Executive Vice President of Business Development of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) Eng. Ali Al Omeir revealed the presence of global requests to enter the industrial cities.

Omeir emphasized the significant efforts made by Saudi Arabia’s industrial system to attract international investments through participation, direct communication, and targeting global events.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Omeir said that MODON has successfully attracted domestic and foreign investments amounting to a cumulative investment of over SAR 405 billion ($108 billion).

The number of operational factories in the Kingdom reached 5,926, along with 290 logistical facilities, contributing significantly to diversifying the national income sources and achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Industrial Strategy.

These achievements are aimed at establishing a sustainable industrial economy and an attractive investment environment.

“Spread across all regions of the Kingdom, there are 36 industrial cities with developed areas exceeding 198 million square meters. The total number of contracts within these cities reached 7,242, encompassing industrial, logistical, and investment sectors,” revealed Omeir.

Moreover, he clarified that MODON is simultaneously working on encouraging the private sector to contribute to the establishment, development, management, operation, and maintenance of industrial cities.

Omeir also stated that there is an intention to expand in establishing industrial cities in the Kingdom.

He pointed out that the existing industrial cities are partially developed, with continuous development based on market needs.

“Today, we can identify the cities that require further development, and in line with the market and its demands, we are working on developing this infrastructure,” added Omeir.

Omeir’s remarks came following MODON inaugurating 98 ready-made factories worth SAR 100 million ($26.6 million).

Regarding the inauguration of the new factories, Omeir stated that it marks a new phase of expansion in the partnership between the public and private sectors.

This is exemplified by the launch of the “Producers 3” project in the third industrial zone in Jeddah, consisting of 98 factories spanning over an area exceeding 92,000 square meters.

The launch of the factories highlighted the importance of building conscious partnerships that contribute to achieving MODON’s objectives.



IMF Projects Pessimistic Outlook on MENA Economies

Traffic moves during a sandstorm in Doha on April 15, 2025. (AFP)
Traffic moves during a sandstorm in Doha on April 15, 2025. (AFP)
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IMF Projects Pessimistic Outlook on MENA Economies

Traffic moves during a sandstorm in Doha on April 15, 2025. (AFP)
Traffic moves during a sandstorm in Doha on April 15, 2025. (AFP)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday gave a pessimistic outlook for economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for the next two years, the second similar projection in a row in 2025.

The IMF released an update to its World Economic Outlook compiled in just 10 days after US President Donald Trump announced universal tariffs on nearly all trading partners and higher rates - currently suspended - on many countries.

Across the broader MENA region, the IMF anticipated economic growth to average 2.6% in 2025, before climbing to 3.4% in 2026, representing a decrease by around 0.9 percentage points and 0.5 percentage points compared to previous forecasts.

The IMF had downgraded its growth forecast for the region last January from its October projection. According to figures from the fund, the region's economy grew by 1.8% last year.

Within MENA, IMF projected oil exporters including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Algeria and Qatar, to witness a 2.6% growth this year and 3.1% next year.

In return, in oil-importing nations such as Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia, economies are projected to grow to 3.6% in 2025 and to 4.1% in 2026.

The Fund said futures markets indicate that oil prices will average $66.9 per barrel in 2025, a 15.5% decline, before falling to $62.4 in 2026.

The IMF cut the forecast for Saudi Arabia's GDP growth in 2025 to 3% versus a January estimate of a 3.3% increase. IMF also reduced the projection for growth in 2026 by 0.4 percentage point to 3.7%.

In Iraq, the IMF expected a modest rebound in 2026, with growth forecast at 1.4%. This marks a steep downgrade from October 2024, when it had projected 4.1% growth for Iraq in 2025.

In Egypt, it saw growth coming in at a 3.8% y-o-y clip this fiscal year, up 0.2 percentage points from its January forecast.

In Morocco, IMF said the economy could grow by 3.9% in 2025 and maintain steady momentum with 3.7% the following year.