Saudi MODON Attracts Investments Worth $34.6 Mn to Localize Aircraft Industries

A view of an exhibit at the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A view of an exhibit at the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi MODON Attracts Investments Worth $34.6 Mn to Localize Aircraft Industries

A view of an exhibit at the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A view of an exhibit at the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) has attracted investments worth $34.6 million to localize military aircraft industries, including drones, and provide repair, maintenance, and overhaul services for ships.

The investment is one of the authority’s objectives to promote investment opportunities in industrial cities among major local and international companies.

MODON signed two contracts to allocate two ready-made factories with an area of 700 square meters and investments of $13.3 million in manufacturing military aircraft, parts and pieces of military and civil aircraft, and drones.

It concluded a contract to allocate a logistics land area of 3,000 square meters and investments of $8 million for ship repair and maintenance.

The contract also stipulates repair, maintenance, and overhaul services for spare parts for military vehicles, aircraft, ships, water filtration devices, ship and train engines, and valves.

MODON participated in a pavilion in the second edition of the World Defense Show 2024, held in Riyadh between February 4 and 8.

The event was held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, to represent the industrial sector and highlight the qualitative opportunities, capabilities, and incentives to enable military industries to align with the National Industrial Strategy.

According to MODON, the benefits of investing in its 36 industrial cities throughout the Kingdom include the availability of a labor force, advanced infrastructure, and logistical solutions that help achieve a competitive and sustainable industrial economy.



Saudi Arabia Reports SAR540 Billion in Services Trade with 7% Annual Growth

Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reports SAR540 Billion in Services Trade with 7% Annual Growth

Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi announced on Wednesday that the Kingdom’s trade in services reached SAR540 billion in 2023, reflecting an annual growth rate of 7%.

Speaking at a panel discussion on Trade in Service at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he underscored the global significance of the services sector, which makes up approximately 65% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), 60% of foreign investments, and serves as the largest provider of jobs worldwide, particularly benefiting women.

He emphasized the need for global collaboration to reduce regulatory and procedural obstacles in the services sector, adding that simplifying these systems would boost competitiveness and alleviate burdens on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), thereby raising their economic contribution.

Al-Kassabi outlined Saudi Arabia’s significant investments in digital infrastructure, including SAR93.7 billion already spent and an additional SAR75 billion allocated for future projects.

The investments, he said, aim to support digital transformation, boost businesses, and attract foreign investments.

The Kingdom has partnered with international organizations to establish legislative frameworks that protect investments and advance human resource development and has created a Center for Distinguished Residence to attract skilled talents, he went on to say.

The World Economic Forum emphasized the critical importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors for the future of trade in services. It highlighted its partnership with the National Competitiveness Center on the Facilitating and Developing Trade in Services initiative, which focuses on key sectors such as information and communications technology (ICT), finance, transportation and logistics services, and mining. The sectors are vital as they underpin all economic activities.