NEOM Established as Closed Joint-Stock Company Owned by Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund

NEOM is established as a closed joint-stock company owned by the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund. (SPA)
NEOM is established as a closed joint-stock company owned by the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund. (SPA)
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NEOM Established as Closed Joint-Stock Company Owned by Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund

NEOM is established as a closed joint-stock company owned by the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund. (SPA)
NEOM is established as a closed joint-stock company owned by the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund. (SPA)

The world’s future destination for dreamers and innovators has obtained the necessary approvals from authorities in Saudi Arabia to establish a closed joint-stock company under the name NEOM to develop the project that is set to be the most ambitious on earth.

The newly-established entity is fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia and is responsible for achieving NEOM’s vision, which is to be the land of the future, where the greatest minds and best talents are empowered to embody pioneering ideas and exceed boundaries in a world inspired by imagination.

In order to achieve NEOM’s vision, the company will develop a new area in the Northwest of Saudi Arabia equipped with all elements to make it the best place to live and work; and a leading investment destination.

This area will be the land of the future that will incubate human genius in search for solutions key challenges facing humanity.

NEOM will have new cities with extensive infrastructure that includes a network of airports, an advanced seaport, industrial areas, as well as creative and innovation centers to unlock the potential of a knowledge-based economy, and a range of world-class tourist destinations.

It is designed as an eco-friendly environment that caters for sustainability and livability.

The significant change in the legal status of NEOM will also allow the company to create 16 key economic sectors that will put it on the global investment map, which includes the future of energy, water, tourism, media, health and well-being, sport, food, mobility, biotech, manufacturing and livability.

Nadhmi Al-Nasr, will serve as the CEO of NEOM, while the 16 sectors will be spearheaded by leading international executives and experts in their fields.

Al-Nasr is a leading Saudi executive with a track record of developing mega projects including Shaybah oilfield, a giant deposit located at the heart of the Empty Quarter desert, as well as King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST).

Commenting on this milestone, he said: “The new entity will have a unique and historical role to play as it will be responsible for developing a new global destination from scratch on a huge area, and a futuristic civilization that is based on sustainability and livability.”

He added: "All this aims to turn NEOM into a global center for attracting investment, knowledge, innovation and technology in order to compete with all economic capital cities.”



15th Turkish-Arab Economic Cooperation Forum Kicks Off in Istanbul

Aboul Gheit addressing the opening session of the forum (Arab League - X)
Aboul Gheit addressing the opening session of the forum (Arab League - X)
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15th Turkish-Arab Economic Cooperation Forum Kicks Off in Istanbul

Aboul Gheit addressing the opening session of the forum (Arab League - X)
Aboul Gheit addressing the opening session of the forum (Arab League - X)

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, stressed the need for Arab-Turkish economic cooperation to extend beyond trade into broader areas that drive sustainable economic development for both sides.

Speaking at the 15th Turkish-Arab Economic Forum in Istanbul, Aboul Gheit emphasized the importance of collaboration in infrastructure, clean energy, green technology, and services such as tourism and fintech. He also highlighted the potential for joint efforts in scientific research and innovation aimed at mutual economic benefit.

Aboul Gheit pointed out the significant growth in trade between the Arab world and Türkiye in recent years. In 2022, Turkish exports to Arab countries amounted to $46 billion, while Arab exports to Türkiye reached $36 billion, representing a notable share of both sides’ overall trade. However, he urged expanding this relationship to include sectors like energy, technology, and logistics, leveraging the strategic geographical position of both regions as a crucial economic bridge connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The forum, themed “Türkiye and the Arab World: A Global Corridor in Investment, Trade, and Technology,” was organized with the support of Türkiye’s Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other major regional institutions. It aimed to explore new opportunities in emerging sectors such as green energy, fintech, logistics, and capital markets, while addressing the regional and global economic challenges impacting both sides.

Turkish Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Simsek acknowledged the uncertainty facing the global economy, which is limiting growth, especially in global trade. He also noted the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, which are expected to reshape industries and societies. Simsek emphasized the need for Türkiye and the Arab world to capitalize on their potential for economic integration, particularly in this time of global economic shifts.

For his part, Egyptian Finance Minister Ahmed Kojak underlined Egypt’s efforts to ensure financial stability, production growth, and export competitiveness. He pointed to Egypt’s role in regional cooperation, highlighting initiatives such as the electricity grid connection with Saudi Arabia, which showcases the potential for regional collaboration in energy.

Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh focused on the advantages of developing economic corridors between Türkiye and the Arab world, particularly through free trade agreements, while Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami Mohammed stressed Iraq’s openness to cooperation with Türkiye, noting the country’s strategic position for global trade.

In turn, Kuwaiti Finance Minister Noura Suleiman Al-Fusam highlighted the need to remove trade barriers to increase interactions between Türkiye and the Arab world, with a focus on fostering investments.