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.



China Seeks to Bolster Ports and Aviation Hubs in Western Regions

The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022.  (Reuters)
The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022. (Reuters)
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China Seeks to Bolster Ports and Aviation Hubs in Western Regions

The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022.  (Reuters)
The city skyline is reflected in a pool left on the dry riverbed of the receding Jialing river, a tributary of the Yangtze, that is approaching record-low water levels during a regional drought in Chongqing, China, August 20, 2022. (Reuters)

China said on Sunday it would launch 15 measures to bolster the development of its western provinces with the construction of logistical infrastructure such as ports and aviation hubs.

The General Administration of Customs said the measures would enhance the integration of rail, air, river and sea links in China's west, state media reported.

The measures are to include enhancing international aviation hubs in cities including Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Xi'an and Urumqi, while developing comprehensive bonded zones, and integrating these with ports and other transport links.

A number of ports would also be built and expanded.

China has long sought to bolster the economic heft of its western regions, which have markedly lagged coastal provinces.

China's western regions comprise around two-thirds of the country's land area and include regions such as Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Xinjiang and Tibet.

China's Politburo last year called for a "new urbanization" of western China to revitalize rural areas, expand poverty alleviation efforts and strengthen energy resources. Efforts have also been made to increase linkages to Europe and South Asia through trade corridors including rail freight routes.