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.



Trump Vows New Tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China

FILE PHOTO: US President-elect Donald Trump attends a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket, in Brownsville, Texas, US, November 19, 2024. Brandon Bell/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US President-elect Donald Trump attends a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket, in Brownsville, Texas, US, November 19, 2024. Brandon Bell/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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Trump Vows New Tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China

FILE PHOTO: US President-elect Donald Trump attends a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket, in Brownsville, Texas, US, November 19, 2024. Brandon Bell/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US President-elect Donald Trump attends a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket, in Brownsville, Texas, US, November 19, 2024. Brandon Bell/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

US President-elect Donald Trump vowed on Monday to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office as part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs.

He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, as one of his first executive orders.

In a series of posts to his Truth Social account, Trump vowed to hit some of the United States' largest trading partners with duties on all goods entering the country.

“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% tariff on ALL products coming into the United States,” he wrote, according to AFP.

He said the new tariffs would remain in place “until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!”

The President ignored the US, Mexico and Canada three-decade-old free trade agreement, now called the USMCA.

In another post, Trump said he would also be slapping China with a 10% tariff, “above any additional Tariffs,” in response to what he said was its failure to tackle fentanyl smuggling.

“No one will win a trade war,” Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for China's embassy in the United States, told AFP by email, defending Beijing's efforts to curb fentanyl smuggling.

“China believes that China-US economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature,” Liu added.

Canada said it was “essential” to US energy supplies, and insisted the relationship benefits American workers.

“We will of course continue to discuss these issues with the incoming administration,” said the statement from Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.

Tariffs are a key part of Trump's economic agenda, with the Republican vowing wide-ranging duties on allies and adversaries alike while he was on the campaign trail.

Many economists have warned that tariffs would hurt growth and push up inflation, since they are primarily paid by importers bringing the goods into the US, who often pass those costs on to consumers.

But those in Trump's inner circle have insisted that the tariffs are a useful bargaining chip for the US to push its trading partners to agree to more favorable terms, and to bring back manufacturing jobs from overseas.