Saudi Arabia Inches Closer to Privatizing Flour Milling Sector

Saudi Arabia inches closer to privatizing flour milling sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia inches closer to privatizing flour milling sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Inches Closer to Privatizing Flour Milling Sector

Saudi Arabia inches closer to privatizing flour milling sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia inches closer to privatizing flour milling sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi flour mills are only a few steps away from the privatization process after fulfilling investor requirements, while still preserving the characteristics of their sector.

The Saudi Grain Organization (SAGO) and HSBC Saudi Arabia underlined recent updates in the privatization process to prepare flour milling companies for their potential investors.

The SAGO stated that it had audited the financial statements for the fiscal year 2017 for each of the flour milling companies that will be available to qualified investors.

The qualification phase will be launched on June 28. The stage of qualifying investors, whether companies or alliances, precedes the potential sale process.

Saudi flour mills are an opportunity to invest in one of the largest flour markets in the Middle East and North Africa, boasting attractive growth rates and opportunities to the private sector.

The flour mills sector is one of the sectors that are being fully privatized according to Saudi Vision 2030.

The Privatization Program in the Kingdom has recently become a major gateway to a new phase of diversifying the economy and increasing the efficiency of the private sector.

The Program also seeks to improve the performance of the national economy and services, making them available to as many people as possible. This will increase employment opportunities and attract the latest technologies and innovations.



Asharq Al-Awsat Tours Riyadh Metro on First Day of its Launch

Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)
Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)
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Asharq Al-Awsat Tours Riyadh Metro on First Day of its Launch

Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)
Riyadh residents ride the Riyadh Metro on its launch day on Sunday. (Turky al-Agili)

“Big achievements take time,” remarked university student Ahmed Al-Omari quoting a Saudi proverb as the Riyadh Metro officially began operations, opening three lines to passengers on Sunday morning. This long-anticipated mega-project is a significant milestone in advancing infrastructure to meet the needs of Riyadh’s rapidly growing population.

The proverb underscores that delays often reflect the scale and ambition of a project rather than inefficiency. After 11 years and a $22 billion investment, the Riyadh Metro, one of the largest transit systems in the Middle East, is now a reality, featuring six main lines spanning the city.

The metro boasts six lines extending 176 kilometers, making it the world’s longest driverless metro system. With 85 stations, including four major hubs, it has a daily capacity to serve 3.6 million passengers.

“I was worried about parking, but it turned out to be convenient and located right at the station,” said commuter Khuloud Al-Amri. The metro system provides 21 public parking facilities, each accommodating between 200 and 600 vehicles, to facilitate access. Additionally, 19 other parking sites with similar capacities are available across the network, along with seven maintenance and overnight facilities at its edges.

The Riyadh Metro offers the lowest transportation cost among G20 nations relative to daily income, according to Maher Shira, Director General of Smart Cities at the Royal Commission for Riyadh. Fares amount to just 0.5% of the average daily income of SAR 733 (approximately $195), compared to 0.9% in Türkiye and 1–3% in other G20 countries.

“My commute typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. I hope the metro will reduce this time,” said Hatem Al-Fawaz, one of the metro’s first passengers on launch day.

Environmentally, the metro aligns with Riyadh’s green initiatives. Existing city buses already use low-sulfur fuel, making them among the world’s most eco-friendly.

The metro further contributes by reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, according to the Royal Commission. It also helps mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and urban heat through sustainable transport options.

The Riyadh Metro is expected to alleviate traffic congestion by 30%, marking a transformative step toward sustainable urban mobility and a better quality of life for residents.