Saudi Arabia, Jordan Discuss Complementary Projects North of NEOM

A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)
A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)
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Saudi Arabia, Jordan Discuss Complementary Projects North of NEOM

A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)
A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)

Saudi Arabia and Jordan discussed last week efforts to activate the opportunities available north of NEOM project, from the Jordanian side.

Jordan’s side of the border boasts ports and ready infrastructure that could be used immediately for projects that serve both countries and boost Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the region.

Chairman of Jordan’s Investment Commission Khalid Wazani said the NEOM project is attracting more Saudi-Jordanian investments that will be established in the Aqaba port city, including the enhancement of the existing business there.

He pointed out that the Jordanian side of NEOM includes Aqaba port and Marsa Zayed. It is expected to become a platform for exchange of expertise and consultations that will yield complementary projects related to NEOM.

This will make it easier for investors to benefit from the port, Wazani noted.

In a statement Friday, he stressed that the expected results, convergence of views and the achievement of some of the project’s objectives will serve Saudi Vision 2030 and the region in general, including Egypt and Jordan, which are part of NEOM.

He made his remarks following a meeting in Riyadh with member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Securities and Investment Committee at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce Mohammed al-Sayer.

The meeting was attended by a number of Jordanian officials and investors from both countries representing different sectors.

In October 2017, the $500 billion NEOM project was launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

Located in the Kingdom’s far northwest, NEOM will provide opportunities for development with a total area of 460 km on the banks of the Red Sea and a total area of 26,500 square meters.



World Bank Raises China's GDP Forecast for 2024, 2025

World Bank Raises China's GDP Forecast for 2024, 2025
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World Bank Raises China's GDP Forecast for 2024, 2025

World Bank Raises China's GDP Forecast for 2024, 2025

The World Bank raised on Thursday its forecast for China's economic growth in 2024 and 2025, but warned that subdued household and business confidence, along with headwinds in the property sector, would keep weighing it down next year.
The world's second-biggest economy has struggled this year, mainly due to a property crisis and tepid domestic demand. An expected hike in US tariffs on its goods when US President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January may also hit growth.
"Addressing challenges in the property sector, strengthening social safety nets, and improving local government finances will be essential to unlocking a sustained recovery," Mara Warwick, the World Bank's country director for China, said.
"It is important to balance short-term support to growth with long-term structural reforms," she added in a statement.
Thanks to the effect of recent policy easing and near-term export strength, the World Bank sees China's gross domestic product growth at 4.9% this year, up from its June forecast of 4.8%.
Beijing set a growth target of "around 5%" this year, a goal it says it is confident of achieving.
Although growth for 2025 is also expected to fall to 4.5%, that is still higher than the World Bank's earlier forecast of 4.1%.
Slower household income growth and the negative wealth effect from lower home prices are expected to weigh on consumption into 2025, the Bank added.
To revive growth, Chinese authorities have agreed to issue a record 3 trillion yuan ($411 billion) in special treasury bonds next year, Reuters reported this week.
The figures will not be officially unveiled until the annual meeting of China's parliament, the National People's Congress, in March 2025, and could still change before then.
While the housing regulator will continue efforts to stem further declines in China's real estate market next year, the World Bank said a turnaround in the sector was not anticipated until late 2025.
China's middle class has expanded significantly since the 2010s, encompassing 32% of the population in 2021, but World Bank estimates suggest about 55% remain "economically insecure", underscoring the need to generate opportunities.