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Mawani, Rotterdam Port Partner to Develop Smart Ports and Boost Commercial Opportunities

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) logo
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) logo
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Mawani, Rotterdam Port Partner to Develop Smart Ports and Boost Commercial Opportunities

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) logo
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) logo

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has reached a partnership deal with Port of Rotterdam to collaborate in the areas of smart ports, human capital development, knowledge transfer, and performance optimization in support of the Kingdom’s economic diversification efforts aimed at creating a state-of-the-art investment and trade hub.
The agreement was signed at Jeddah Islamic Port by the Mawani President, Omar Hariri, and the CEO at Port of Rotterdam Authority, Boudewijn Siemons.
The deal will further enhance cooperation between both entities in port corporatization, a widely-adopted business model based on outsourcing terminal operations to the private sector while keeping the ownership and regulatory aspects in the hands of autonomous government bodies in a bid to upgrade efficiency and productivity, as well as upskilling the sector’s workforce across managerial and scientific disciplines.
Designed to integrate and leverage the world-class capabilities, expertise, and competitive advantages offered by either party, the latest agreement falls under Mawani’s broader strategy to drive sustainable progress, reliable operations, and purpose-driven innovation within the Kingdom’s maritime sector as part of the ambitions set by Saudi Vision 2030.
The national maritime regulator had earlier inked a deal with Port of Antwerp International (PAI) to bolster mutual cooperation in the domains of port optimization, digital transformation, and capacity building in line with its objective to strengthen corporate governance, organizational excellence, and sector-wide growth.

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Three Saudi-Yemeni Companies Established in Energy, Telecom to Support Yemen's Reconstruction

The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council holds meeting in Makkah, announces strategic initiatives (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council holds meeting in Makkah, announces strategic initiatives (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Three Saudi-Yemeni Companies Established in Energy, Telecom to Support Yemen's Reconstruction

The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council holds meeting in Makkah, announces strategic initiatives (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council holds meeting in Makkah, announces strategic initiatives (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi-Yemeni Business Council, part of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, announced six initiatives to boost trade and support Yemen’s economic development at a meeting in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Over 300 Saudi and Yemeni investors attended, agreeing to establish three companies to help rebuild Yemen and improve its infrastructure.
The initiatives include upgrading border crossings to improve logistics and increase trade, currently valued at 6.3 billion riyals ($1.6 billion). Yemen’s exports to Saudi Arabia, worth only 655 million riyals ($174.6 million), highlight untapped potential in mining, agriculture, livestock, and fisheries.
Key recommendations to enhance trade and support Yemen’s economic recovery include setting up quarantine facilities for Yemeni livestock and agricultural products to increase exports, as well as building smart food cities near border areas to improve food security and sustainable cooperation.
The Council urged action to address banking challenges faced by traders, suggesting reforms in Yemen’s financial sector and stronger ties with Saudi banks. It also proposed creating a club for Yemeni investors in Saudi Arabia to encourage joint projects and partnerships.
Three new Saudi-Yemeni companies will be established. One will invest $100 million in solar energy to provide sustainable electricity in Yemen. Another will focus on boosting telecommunications via Starlink satellite services. The third will organize events to promote Saudi products and support Yemen’s reconstruction.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Council President Dr. Abdullah bin Mahfouz emphasized the private sector’s critical role in stabilizing Yemen’s economy and society through investments that support development, create jobs, improve infrastructure, and promote small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
He stressed the importance of empowering Yemeni entrepreneurs and securing funding for reconstruction projects, encouraging public-private partnerships to execute large-scale initiatives under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.
The Makkah meeting ended with agreements between Saudi and Yemeni companies to develop key sectors such as energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Streamlined customs, improved logistics, and upgraded Yemeni ports and airports were also highlighted as priorities to facilitate trade.
Yemeni delegation leader Abdulmajid al-Saadi, praised Saudi Arabia’s new investment law, noting Yemeni investments in the Kingdom have reached 18 billion riyals ($4.8 billion), ranking third among foreign investors.