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SPARK Attracts More Than 60 Investors

 A solar energy project in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
 A solar energy project in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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SPARK Attracts More Than 60 Investors

 A solar energy project in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
 A solar energy project in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), located in Buqayq in eastern Saudi Arabia, has successfully attracted more than 60 investors, with total investments exceeding $3 billion.
SPARK was developed as an integrated industrial ecosystem aimed at maximizing economic benefits by strengthening the energy sector in the Kingdom and the broader region. It plays a key role in advancing the goals of Vision 2030 by supporting efforts to build a strong, prosperous, and diversified economy.
The city is also positioned as a prime destination for investors seeking growth and success within a global industrial ecosystem founded on excellence and innovation. It is expected to contribute over $6 billion annually to Saudi Arabia’s GDP and create up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.
On Sunday, the King Salman Energy Park announced that seven factories are already operational, with an additional 14 under construction.
By the end of last year, SPARK had signed lease agreements with two new investors, in addition to the start of construction on several major projects by existing investors.
These developments are key to SPARK’s continued growth and progress, playing a crucial role in its mission to localize essential products and services within the energy sector’s value chain.
The total value of the lease agreements exceeds SAR 30 million, marking significant investments that will drive sustainable industrial growth in the Kingdom.
As part of these deals, Abdulaziz & Brothers (A&BC), a company specializing in professional safety tools and equipment, will begin producing high-quality personal protective gear for the industrial and construction sectors by establishing its first facility in SPARK.
Meanwhile, Enjaz Al Mustaqbal Industrial Company plans to build a facility to support localization efforts in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sector.
SPARK also revealed the start of construction on two major projects with a combined investment of SAR 250 million.
BAS Gulf Industrial Company, a subsidiary of the National Metal Manufacturing and Casting Company (Maadaniyat), plans to expand its operations by the fourth quarter of 2024, focusing on the manufacturing of industrial valves and providing post-sales technical services.
Global software and engineering leader Emerson has also begun construction at SPARK, preparing to launch its advanced technology operations, which are expected to commence by the fourth quarter of 2024.

 

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Oil Fluctuations, Market Corrections Pressure the Saudi Stock Market Index

Investors in the trading hall of the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh (SPA)
Investors in the trading hall of the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh (SPA)
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Oil Fluctuations, Market Corrections Pressure the Saudi Stock Market Index

Investors in the trading hall of the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh (SPA)
Investors in the trading hall of the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh (SPA)

The Saudi stock market index (TASI) closed the first trading session of the week with a 0.83% decline, ending a seven-session streak of gains that followed the interest rate cut.
Experts attributed the drop to four main reasons: geopolitical tensions, a significant resistance level, corrective technical indicators in the banking sector, and fluctuations in oil prices.
In financial market technical analysis, a resistance level refers to a price point where significant selling pressure is expected, preventing further upward movement. Corrective technical indicators help identify potential points of decline after strong upward or downward movements, allowing analysts to predict potential pullbacks or reversals in stock prices or the overall market.
Abdullah Al-Jabali, a member of the Saudi and International Union of Analysts, explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the index reaching 12,300 points is one of the key resistance levels at the moment. He noted that the technical correction in the banking sector made it natural for the market to begin a corrective phase during Sunday’s session.
Al-Jabali further clarified that the Saudi market’s decline is due to a combination of technical indicators alongside the geopolitical developments in the Middle East, with the slight impact of the US interest rate cut on global markets also playing a role. He added that if the index continues to decline throughout the rest of the week, it is likely to touch the 11,900-point level, considered the most important support level based on recent trading activity.
For his part, Mohammed Al-Maimouni, financial consultant at Al Motadawel Al Arabi (Arab Trader), said the Saudi market's decline was mainly due to geopolitical tensions and oil price fluctuations, noting that the index had reached a profit-taking level at 12,300 points.
He added that despite this decrease, the market did not experience the maximum 10% drop, but pressure was observed primarily from the banking and basic materials sectors.
Al-Maimouni predicted that the upcoming month of October could be positive for the Saudi stock market, especially with Goldman Sachs betting on oil prices returning to the $77 level. He stressed that if geopolitical conditions stabilize, the market could witness a significant recovery.
Stock Performance
In terms of individual stocks, Saudi Aramco —the heaviest weight on the index—recorded its most significant decline since August, dropping by about 1% to SAR 27.25. Al Rajhi Bank also saw a decrease of 1.67%, closing at SAR 88.10.
On the other hand, ACWA Power, the second most influential stock on the index, continued its gains, rising by approximately 1% to SAR 490. The stock had reached an all-time high of SAR 500 during the previous week.