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.

 



Saudi Arabia Plans Promotion Campaign in Kuwait

The Saudi Export Development Authority’s pavilion at an exhibition (Export Development Authority website)
The Saudi Export Development Authority’s pavilion at an exhibition (Export Development Authority website)
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Saudi Arabia Plans Promotion Campaign in Kuwait

The Saudi Export Development Authority’s pavilion at an exhibition (Export Development Authority website)
The Saudi Export Development Authority’s pavilion at an exhibition (Export Development Authority website)

The Saudi Export Development Authority is scheduled to begin a promotion campaign in Kuwait from September 29 until October 1 as part of a broader strategy to enhance national service export opportunities through targeted market access tours.
According to the Authority, the tour will feature a series of visits for leading national companies across various sectors, including logistics services, communications and information technology, consulting, and medical services.
These companies will showcase their offerings to both government and private entities in Kuwait, fostering increased trade between the two nations.
The tour is also expected to bolster the presence of Saudi non-oil products and services in the Kuwaiti market, where Saudi exports exceeded 3.7 billion Saudi rial ($986.36 million) in the first half of 2024.
Saudi Exports spokesman Thamer Al-Meshrafi said that through the tour in the Kuwaiti market, the Authority aims to establish links between the Saudi exporters and the Kuwaiti importers and facilitate mechanisms of the non-oil exports to Kuwait.
Al-Meshrafi added that the overall Saudi service experts in 2023 hit 182 billion riyals ($479 million), rising by 40% as compared to the previous year.
Several prominent national companies from the services sector will participate in the tour alongside representatives from four government agencies: the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority; the Digital Government Authority; the Transport General Authority; and the Saudi Contractors Authority.