Saudi MODON, Techno for Advanced Materials Agree to Establish First CNTs Plant

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
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Saudi MODON, Techno for Advanced Materials Agree to Establish First CNTs Plant

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)

The Saudi Organization for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) signed an agreement with a technology company for advanced materials to host the latter’s first plant to produce Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in an effort to empower the industry in Saudi Arabia and support value added industries.

While Saudi Arabia has been working to boost the growth of industrial production, thus increasing its contribution to its GDP, Modon aims to support value added industries and stimulate local companies to expand in this field.

The agreement aims at supporting the specialized company to establish its first factory for the production of CNTs, which stimulate the paint industry and is in line with modern construction techniques.

It comes as Saudi factories achieved positive growth rates in the second quarter of 2018, confirming the vitality of these factories and their ability to contribute effectively to the Kingdom’s GDP.

The country’s economic growth rates started to increase in 2018, with expectations for higher growth this year.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics issued the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for the second Quarter 2018, which shows the results of the relative change and development in the quantities of materials and goods produced.

“When comparing the results of the second quarter 2018 with the results of the previous quarter (Q1 2018), we find that the production quantities have increased by 4.17 percent in all industrial activities, amounting to 137.87 points,” the report said.

The production increase rate in the mining and quarrying activity rise up 1.89 percent. However, the production growth rate increased by 5.07 percent in the manufacturing industry activity, and the electricity and gas supply activity rise by 83.46 percent.

“Furthermore, when comparing the results of the second quarter 2018 with the results of the second quarter 2017, we find that the production quantities increase by 5.84 percent in all industrial activities,” the report explained.

The production growth rate recorded 16.44 percent in the manufacturing industry activity while the production rate of electricity and gas supply has recorded a decrease of 0.30 percent.

These results coincide with the process of providing industrial land developed at very nominal prices, one of the most important support tools provided by Saudi Arabia to investors in the industrial sector, in addition to the provision of high financial loans to these investors.



Moody's Upgrades Saudi Arabia's Credit Rating

Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
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Moody's Upgrades Saudi Arabia's Credit Rating

Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters
Moody's indicated that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification. Reuters

The credit rating agency “Moody’s Ratings” upgraded Saudi Arabia’s credit rating to “Aa3” in local and foreign currency, with a “stable” outlook.
The agency indicated in its report that the rating upgrade and stable outlook are results of the Kingdom's ongoing progress in economic diversification and the robust growth of its non-oil sector. Over time, the advancements are expected to reduce Saudi Arabia’s exposure to oil market developments and long-term carbon transition on its economy and public finances.
The agency commended the Kingdom's financial planning within the fiscal space, emphasizing its commitment to prioritizing expenditure and enhancing the spending efficiency. Additionally, the government’s ongoing efforts to utilize available fiscal resources to diversify the economic base through transformative spending were highlighted as instrumental in supporting the sustainable development of the Kingdom's non-oil economy and maintaining a strong fiscal position.
In its report, the agency noted that the planning and commitment underpin its projection of a relatively stable fiscal deficit, which could range between 2%-3% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Moody's expected that the non-oil private-sector GDP of Saudi Arabia will expand by 4-5% in the coming years, positioning it among the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, an indication of continued progress in the diversification efforts reducing the Kingdom’s exposure to oil market developments.
In recent years, the Kingdom achieved multiple credit rating upgrades from global rating agencies. These advancements reflect the Kingdom's ongoing efforts toward economic transformation, supported by structural reforms and the adoption of fiscal policies that promote financial sustainability, enhance financial planning efficiency, and reinforce the Kingdom's strong and resilient fiscal position.