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.



Riyadh Air Plans New Jet Order Decision in H1,2025

A civilian aircraft flies over the skies of the Saudi capital (Riyadh Air)
A civilian aircraft flies over the skies of the Saudi capital (Riyadh Air)
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Riyadh Air Plans New Jet Order Decision in H1,2025

A civilian aircraft flies over the skies of the Saudi capital (Riyadh Air)
A civilian aircraft flies over the skies of the Saudi capital (Riyadh Air)

Saudi Riyadh Air is wading back into the jet market after buying dozens of Airbus and Boeing planes and aims to finalise a new deal involving the industry's largest twin-aisle jets early next year, its chief executive said.

The country's newest national airline is weighing up the Boeing 777X and the Airbus A350-1000 and expects to make a decision in the first or second quarters of 2025, CEO Tony Douglas told Reuters.

Riyadh Air last year ordered 39 Boeing 787 wide-body jets with options for another 33 as part of a wider deal also involving existing national carrier Saudia, and last week it added a firm order for 60 Airbus A321neo-family aircraft.

Douglas reiterated that the airline, which plans to start operations next year, ultimately aimed to operate more than 200 aircraft.

Douglas told Reuters in a separate interview last week that Riyadh Air would start formal talks for a new order for large wide-body aircraft within two months.