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.



Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
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Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)

Mohammad Yaqoub, Assistant Director General for Business Development at Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), announced that Kuwait is actively working to boost investments in emerging sectors such as the management of government facilities, hospitals, and ports, including Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.

He added that his country is collaborating with Saudi Arabia on joint projects, notably the development of a railway linking the two nations.

Speaking at the 28th Annual Global Investment Conference in Riyadh, Yaqoub highlighted the 650-kilometer railway project, which is expected to cut travel time between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to under three hours. He clarified that this initiative is separate from the broader GCC railway network under development.

The official further emphasized Kuwait’s commitment to offering streamlined processes and incentives to attract foreign investment in critical sectors such as oil and gas, healthcare, education, and technology.

Since January 2015, the Gulf country has attracted cumulative foreign investments valued at approximately 1.7 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($5.8 billion). During the 2023–2024 fiscal year, KDIPA reported foreign investment inflows amounting to 206.9 million Kuwaiti dinars ($672 million).

Yaqoub stressed that KDIPA is focused on creating an investor-friendly environment by offering flexible incentives to attract international companies. He noted Saudi Arabia’s achievements in this area and highlighted his country’s efforts to provide comparable benefits to foreign investors.

He also expressed optimism about the potential for growth in foreign investments in Kuwait, emphasizing their role in advancing economic development in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yaqoub also underscored the strong synergy between the Kuwaiti and Saudi markets, which he said will help accelerate economic progress across the region.