Saudi Arabia: Quality of Life Program 2020 Broadens Economy's Productivity

Governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) Eng. Ibrahim al-Omar (SPA)
Governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) Eng. Ibrahim al-Omar (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia: Quality of Life Program 2020 Broadens Economy's Productivity

Governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) Eng. Ibrahim al-Omar (SPA)
Governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) Eng. Ibrahim al-Omar (SPA)

Council of Economic and Development Affairs launched the "Quality of Life Program 2020" with a total expenditure of SR130 billion and aims at achieving 20 percent growth in gross domestic product, according to Governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) Eng. Ibrahim al-Omar.

The Program also contributes to local content in the relevant sectors by 67 percent as one of the outcomes of Vision 2030 and its multiple achievements with its three axes: "more prosperous economy, vibrant Saudi society, and ambitious country."

The engineer noted the positive impact of the Program in encouraging the private sector and foreign investors to invest in many vital markets related to improving the quality of life.

The main objective of the Program is to increase the involvement of the private sector in the development of the strategy by improving participation in vital areas that require high capital expenditures, and the return on investment is initially low, encouraging private sector investment in the future, indicated Omar.

Quality of Life 2020 aspires to provide economic and investment opportunities for sustainable growth and development. Creative industries have proved to be key drivers of economic growth around the world. There are many opportunities for these sectors to thrive in the Kingdom; number of funding models will be developed in order to stimulate the private sector to invest, in both capital expenditures and operating expenses.

The Program contributes to the development and diversification of entertainment opportunities in the Kingdom in order to provide various activities to suit all society segments in different regions.

To achieve this goal, the Program encourages the private sector and foreign investors to play a major role in various sectors, namely the entertainment sector which is considered one of the sectors targeted in the strategy of the General Authority for Investment.

To achieve this, the Program seeks to create a water park, 3 theme parks and 16 family entertainment centers by 2020.



Nippon Steel to Dissolve JV with China's Baoshan after 20 Years

Nippon Steel logo is displayed at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan April 1, 2024. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Nippon Steel logo is displayed at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan April 1, 2024. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Nippon Steel to Dissolve JV with China's Baoshan after 20 Years

Nippon Steel logo is displayed at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan April 1, 2024. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Nippon Steel logo is displayed at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan April 1, 2024. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Nippon Steel will dissolve its joint venture with China's Baoshan Iron & Steel it said on Tuesday, ending two decades of cooperation when their existing shareholders' agreement expires at the end of August.

Nippon Steel will transfer its 50% stake in the joint venture to Baoshan, it said. In a separate statement Baoshan said it had agreed to pay about 1.8 billion yuan ($247 million) for the holding.

The joint venture was producing and selling cold-rolled steel sheets and hot-dip galvanized steel sheets for automotive use in China. Nippon Steel did not provide a reason for dissolving the partnership originally established in 2004, Reuters reported.

The Nikkei business daily, which first reported the news, said the company had decided to shift its attention to the US and India.

The company's production capacity in China will be cut by 70%, but it will still keep around 1 million metric tonnes per year thanks to its joint business with Wuhan Iron and Steel, another unit of the China Baowu Steel Group, Nikkei said.

Nippon Steel said in a statement to Reuters the decision was not linked to its bid for US Steel which has led to some US scrutiny of the Japanese company's assets in China.

"Consultations on this matter have been held since September 2022," Nippon Steel said. The company announced the deal to buy US Steel in December 2023.

Nippon Steel said last week it had hired former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to help with its effort to close the US Steel acquisition. Pompeo is visiting Japan this week, according to local media reports.