SAL, Sela Sign SAR4 Billion Agreement to Establish Logistics Zone North of Riyadh

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Saudi Falcons Club CEO Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Shamaisi, and several officials, investors, and business leaders. (SPA)
The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Saudi Falcons Club CEO Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Shamaisi, and several officials, investors, and business leaders. (SPA)
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SAL, Sela Sign SAR4 Billion Agreement to Establish Logistics Zone North of Riyadh

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Saudi Falcons Club CEO Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Shamaisi, and several officials, investors, and business leaders. (SPA)
The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Saudi Falcons Club CEO Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Shamaisi, and several officials, investors, and business leaders. (SPA)

The SAL Saudi Logistics Services Company and Sela Company signed an agreement in Riyadh to launch the SAR4-billion SAL Logistics Zone, covering more than 1.5 million square meters within the Falcons City project north of Riyadh, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The initiative aligns with their joint efforts to boost strategic partnerships, support the logistics sector, and boost the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Saudi Falcons Club CEO Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Shamaisi, and several officials, investors, and business leaders.

Falcon City, for which the agreement was signed by SAL CEO Omar bin Talal Hariri and Sela Managing Director Rakan Al-Harthy, enhances the appeal of the Malham area north of Riyadh.

Home to the Saudi Falcons Club, one of the region’s most prominent cultural and heritage landmarks, the area has contributed to tourism and cultural activities through its programs, events, and international initiatives. This integration of economic projects with heritage activities attracts visitors and investors while reinforcing the area’s status as a comprehensive destination that blends a modern economy with the preservation of Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage.

Hariri stressed that the new logistics zone will significantly bolster the company’s capabilities due to its strategic location near King Khalid International Airport, major highways, and rail networks connecting various regions of the Kingdom. This will solidify its position as a comprehensive hub for shipping and distribution operations, further supporting Saudi Arabia’s role as a key global trade center.

He noted that the SAR4-billion investment in developing a model logistics zone aligns with SAL’s strategic plan to strengthen its leadership as a national logistics provider that adheres to the highest global standards. The zone will feature high-quality, Category A warehouses and storage spaces designed to meet diverse requirements.

Falcons City represents an advanced model of integrated cities, spanning 14.4 million square meters in the Malham area north of Riyadh. Its strategic location ensures easy accessibility and includes key facilities such as the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, a state-of-the-art logistics zone attracting major global companies, an aviation runway, and an aircraft maintenance area, all of which enhance air transport and cargo efficiency.

The project also features economic, commercial, residential, hospitality, and entertainment zones, along with an outlet mall to attract investors, residents, and visitors.



Iran's Central Bank Chief Resigns

A man walks past a sign at a currency exchange bureau as the value of the Iranian rial drops, in Tehran, Iran, December 20, 2025. (Via Reuters)
A man walks past a sign at a currency exchange bureau as the value of the Iranian rial drops, in Tehran, Iran, December 20, 2025. (Via Reuters)
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Iran's Central Bank Chief Resigns

A man walks past a sign at a currency exchange bureau as the value of the Iranian rial drops, in Tehran, Iran, December 20, 2025. (Via Reuters)
A man walks past a sign at a currency exchange bureau as the value of the Iranian rial drops, in Tehran, Iran, December 20, 2025. (Via Reuters)

Iran's central bank chief, Mohammad Reza Farzin, has resigned, the semi-official ​Nournews agency reported on Monday, citing an official at the president's office, as the country battles a slump in its rial currency and high inflation.

The rial, which has been falling as the Iranian economy has suffered from the impact of Western sanctions, fell to a ‌new record low on ‌Monday at around 1,390,000 ‌to ⁠the ​dollar, according ‌to websites displaying open market rates.

Iranian media outlets reported there had been demonstrations in the capital Tehran, mainly by shop owners, against the economic situation.

Farzin has headed the central bank since December 2022. His resignation will be reviewed by President Masoud ⁠Pezeshkian, the official added, according to Nournews.

Iranian state media reported ‌later on Monday, citing the communications ‍and information deputy ‍at the Iranian president's office, that former Economy ‍Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati will be appointed as the new central bank chief.

Iranian media have said the government's recent economic liberalization policies have put pressure on the ​open-rate currency market.

The open-rate market is where ordinary Iranians buy foreign currency, whereas businesses typically ⁠use state-regulated rates.

The reimposition of US sanctions in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term has harmed Iran's economy by limiting its oil exports and access to foreign currency.

The Iranian economy is at risk of recession, with the World Bank forecasting GDP will shrink by 1.7% in 2025 and 2.8% in 2026. The risk is compounded by rising inflation, which hit a 40-month high of ‌48.6% in October, according to Iran's Statistical Center.


Lebanon Signs Deal to Purchase Natural Gas from Egypt

A diesel storage tank is seen at the Middle East Oil Refinery Company (MIDOR) in Alexandria, Egypt, November 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A diesel storage tank is seen at the Middle East Oil Refinery Company (MIDOR) in Alexandria, Egypt, November 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
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Lebanon Signs Deal to Purchase Natural Gas from Egypt

A diesel storage tank is seen at the Middle East Oil Refinery Company (MIDOR) in Alexandria, Egypt, November 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A diesel storage tank is seen at the Middle East Oil Refinery Company (MIDOR) in Alexandria, Egypt, November 7, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Lebanon said Monday it plans to purchase natural gas from Egypt, seeking to reduce its reliance on fuel oil for its ageing power plants in a country hamstrung by regular electricity cuts.

The electricity sector has cost Lebanon more than $40 billion since the end of its 1975-1990 civil war, and successive governments have failed to reduce losses, repair crumbling infrastructure or even guarantee regular power bill collections.

Residents rely on expensive private generators and solar panels to supplement the unreliable state supply.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's office said in a statement that the memorandum of understanding between Lebanon and Egypt sought "to meet Lebanon's needs for natural gas allocated for electricity generation".

It was signed by Lebanese Energy Minister Joe Saddi and Egyptian Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi, according to AFP.

"Lebanon's strategy is first to transition to the use of natural gas, and second, to diversify gas sources," Saddi said, adding that "the process will take time because pipelines need rehabilitation".

Lebanon will "contact donor agencies to see how they can help finance the rehabilitation" of the Lebanese section of the gas pipelines, he said, adding that repair work would take several months.

President Joseph Aoun said the memorandum of understanding was "a practical and essential step that will enable Lebanon to increase its electricity production".

A statement from Cairo's petroleum and mineral resources ministry said that "Egypt is fulfilling its role in supplying Lebanon with natural gas, with the aim of supporting energy security for Arab countries".

In 2022, Lebanon signed a deal to import natural gas from Egypt and Jordan via Syria to boost power supply, but the contracts were never implemented due to financing issues and US sanctions on Syria.

Washington recently lifted it Syria measures following the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last year.

In April, Lebanon signed a $250 million agreement with the World Bank to modernise its electricity sector.


Chile to Restore Global Leadership in Lithium Production

Aerial view of brine ponds and processing areas of the lithium mine of the Chilean company SQM (Sociedad Quimica Minera) in the Atacama Desert, Calama, Chile, on September 12, 2022. (AFP)
Aerial view of brine ponds and processing areas of the lithium mine of the Chilean company SQM (Sociedad Quimica Minera) in the Atacama Desert, Calama, Chile, on September 12, 2022. (AFP)
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Chile to Restore Global Leadership in Lithium Production

Aerial view of brine ponds and processing areas of the lithium mine of the Chilean company SQM (Sociedad Quimica Minera) in the Atacama Desert, Calama, Chile, on September 12, 2022. (AFP)
Aerial view of brine ponds and processing areas of the lithium mine of the Chilean company SQM (Sociedad Quimica Minera) in the Atacama Desert, Calama, Chile, on September 12, 2022. (AFP)

Chile's state-owned copper producer, Codelco, together with Chinese-backed private miner, SQM, announced on Saturday the creation of a giant company to exploit lithium, often referred to as "white gold."

The South American country is the world’s second-largest producer of lithium, a key component of EVs and other clean technologies and has about 40% of the world’s lithium reserves.

The partnership between the firms will allow them to jointly ramp up the exploration of lithium in the Atacama region of northern Chile.

The public-private partnership will be named Nova Andino Litio SpA, said Codelco, which described the agreement as one of the most significant deals in Chilean business history.

The Chinese firm Tianqi holds 22% stake in SQM.

In a statement, Codelco said the new partnership will carry out lithium exploration, extraction, production, and commercialization activities in the Atacama salt flat until 2060.

The agreement was approved by more than 20 national and international regulatory authorities, including those in China, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union.

Chile was the last of the countries to clear the deal. Last month, China gave the green light to the planned partnership between Codelco and SQM.

The new venture is intended to help Chile regain global leadership in lithium production, a position it lost to Australia nearly a decade ago.

The partnership aims to expand lithium output in the Atacama region, with plans to increase production by around 300,000 tons per year. In 2022, Chile produced 243,100 tons of lithium.

The partnership also aligns with Chile’s National Lithium Strategy, announced in 2023 by the leftist government of President Gabriel Boric, aimed at reclaiming Chile’s global leadership in lithium production.