Saudi ROSHN Equips Residences with Eco-friendly Car Chargers

ROSHN Chief Development Officer Oussama Kabbani (Turky Al-Agili)
ROSHN Chief Development Officer Oussama Kabbani (Turky Al-Agili)
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Saudi ROSHN Equips Residences with Eco-friendly Car Chargers

ROSHN Chief Development Officer Oussama Kabbani (Turky Al-Agili)
ROSHN Chief Development Officer Oussama Kabbani (Turky Al-Agili)

The Saudi company ROSHN, owned by the Public Investment Fund, is strengthening its role as a key contributor to the national real estate sector by developing eco-friendly, fully serviced housing.

The company is equipping its buildings with thermal insulation, solar heating systems, and electric vehicle chargers in alignment with the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to build a diversified and sustainable economy.

Speaking with Asharq Al-Awsat at the Cityscape Global exhibition in Riyadh, ROSHN Chief Development Officer Oussama Kabbani emphasized that environmental sustainability is not just an option but a national responsibility that every real estate developer must take seriously.

“Any project that does not adhere to sustainability standards risks causing environmental harm rather than improving conditions,” he said.

ROSHN’s sustainability efforts extend beyond environmental aspects to supporting local industries, following the Public Investment Fund’s guidelines. Kabbani explained that all natural resources used in the company’s projects should be sourced, manufactured, or processed within the Kingdom whenever possible, with imports considered only if local resources are unavailable.

In construction, Kabbani revealed that ROSHN homes are equipped with thermal insulation to reduce electricity consumption, as well as solar heating systems that contribute to environmental protection. In the future, many of these homes will also feature electric vehicle chargers, supporting green transportation.

The company’s commitment to a “green” approach is central to its environmental strategy, he said, prioritizing extensive landscaping throughout its projects by planting trees and greenery along pathways and in parks.

According to Kabbani, this initiative “not only reduces carbon emissions but also creates more beautiful and healthier environments for residents, enhancing quality of life in these communities.”

He further noted that residential communities will include surrounding schools, mosques, and social and sports facilities, ensuring a comprehensive living environment.

In alignment with Vision 2030, ROSHN is working to support the goal of increasing homeownership among Saudi citizens to 70 percent. In collaboration with government agencies, the company is focused on providing affordable housing for middle-income families, with homes of various sizes to meet the diverse needs of citizens according to their financial capacities.

What sets ROSHN apart, according to Kabbani, is its transformation from a traditional real estate developer to a comprehensive housing manufacturer, with many homes being prefabricated. The company is currently building two factories on its sites to produce prefabricated building components. This approach boosts industrial efficiency and boosts demand for local products such as kitchens, doors, concrete, and aluminum, positively impacting the local economy.

Kabbani noted that while ROSHN’s projects span all regions of the Kingdom, the focus remains on Riyadh as the capital and primary hub for investment and rapid growth.

He added: “We believe that the markets in Makkah, Jeddah, Dammam, and surrounding areas are promising, and we expect to see results from our investments in these cities by the end of the year.”

On Monday, ROSHN launched its new brand identity and updated strategy, introducing new categories of real estate assets. This shift opens up broad opportunities for establishing new business sectors aimed at attracting fresh investors and partners.



Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports

Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports
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Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports

Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) signed on Tuesday three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with major international shipping lines: MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM.

The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the Made in Saudi Expo 2025 and in partnership with the Saudi Export Development Authority (Saudi Exports).

The memoranda aim to support national exports and Saudi exporters by boosting access to global markets through an integrated logistics services ecosystem that connects the Kingdom’s ports with international destinations via leading global shipping lines.

The initiative provides exporters with broader opportunities for expansion and growth, while reinforcing international confidence in the quality of Saudi products by ensuring fast, efficient, and reliable delivery.

The MoUs establish a strategic framework for cooperation among the signatories to deliver innovative and integrated logistics solutions, facilitate the export of Saudi products, and boost the availability of empty containers at the Kingdom’s ports to ensure sufficient inventory levels that meet exporters’ needs.

They aim to expand joint initiatives that contribute to increasing Saudi exports in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This includes organizing workshops, conferences, and exhibitions to raise awareness, bolster exporters’ capabilities, measure satisfaction with logistics services, and promote national exports globally.

The MoUs seek to improve Saudi exporters’ access to new markets by providing advanced and efficient logistics solutions through Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, and Jubail Commercial Port, alongside efforts to further automate port operations.


Saudi Arabia, Syria Discuss Industrial Investment Partnerships

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Syria Discuss Industrial Investment Partnerships

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef held talks in Riyadh on Tuesday with Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nedal Al-Shaar on ways to strengthen economic relations and develop industrial investment partnerships between their countries.

Alkhorayef praised Syria’s participation as Guest of Honor in the third edition of the Made in Saudi Expo, noting that this reflects the depth of fraternal relations and the shared economic ties between the two countries.

The officials discussed aspects of industrial cooperation and the opportunities for Syria to benefit from the Kingdom’s expertise and successful experience in developing its industrial sector.

They addressed prominent export opportunities that can support trade growth, strengthen industrial and economic integration between Saudi Arabia and Syria, and advance their developmental goals and shared interests.

Separately, Alkhorayef revealed that the Kingdom’s non-oil exports reached SAR307 billion in the first half of this year, marking the highest semiannual growth on record. 

He made the announcement during his participation in a dialogue session with Al-Shaar on the sidelines of the Made in Saudi Expo 2025. 

Alkhorayef explained that Saudi Vision 2030, through its initiatives, has driven record performance and sustained growth in non-oil exports over the past few years by unlocking national industrial capabilities, boosting the quality of Saudi products, and expanding their access to global markets. 

He highlighted opportunities for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Syria in developing industrial cities, enabling Damascus to benefit from the Kingdom’s successful experience in export development and local content support, thereby contributing to its economic growth. 

Alkhorayef underlined the level of efficiency, skill, and craftsmanship demonstrated by Syrian investors in the Kingdom’s industrial sector, hoping that the industrial sector would become a key pillar of Syria’s economic advancement. 

He also addressed trade development between the two countries, noting that Saudi non-oil exports to Syria totaled SAR1.2 billion in the first nine months of 2025. 


Saudi Inflation Slows to Nine-Month Low in November

 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 
 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 
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Saudi Inflation Slows to Nine-Month Low in November

 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 
 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 

Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate slowed to 1.9 percent in November 2025, its lowest level in nine months, down from 2.2 percent in October, driven by easing housing costs and lower prices for food and beverages.

On a monthly basis, inflation remained broadly stable, edging up 0.1 percent compared with October.

According to data released on Monday by the Saudi General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category rose 4.3 percent year on year in November, down from 4.5 percent in October. Within that category, actual housing rents increased 5.4 percent, slowing from 5.7 percent a month earlier.

Prices in the food and beverages category rose 1.3 percent, reflecting a 1.6 percent increase in the prices of fresh, chilled and frozen meat. The transport category climbed 1.5 percent, driven by a 6.4 percent rise in passenger transport services.

The personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services category recorded the largest annual increase, up 6.6 percent, supported by a 19.9 percent surge in prices of other personal products, influenced by a 21.6 percent rise in jewelry and watch prices.

Prices for insurance and financial services increased 5.1 percent, led by an 8.4 percent rise in insurance costs. The recreation, sports and culture category rose 1.3 percent, reflecting a 2.1 percent increase in holiday package prices.

In contrast, prices for furniture, household equipment and routine household maintenance declined 0.3 percent. The restaurants and accommodation services category also fell 0.5 percent, as accommodation service prices decreased 2.3 percent.

GASTAT noted that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures changes in prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of 582 items, while the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) tracks price movements of goods at the pre-retail stage for a fixed basket of 343 items.