Saudi Arabia to Implement Industrial Cities Project

The Economic Cities Authority implements industrial plants projects to support entrepreneurs and small enterprises in the industrial sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Economic Cities Authority implements industrial plants projects to support entrepreneurs and small enterprises in the industrial sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia to Implement Industrial Cities Project

The Economic Cities Authority implements industrial plants projects to support entrepreneurs and small enterprises in the industrial sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Economic Cities Authority implements industrial plants projects to support entrepreneurs and small enterprises in the industrial sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has recently decided to implement the industrial cities project in the Kingdom.

This step is aimed at accelerating the pace of benefiting from industrial activity, activating entrepreneurship, and supporting small and medium enterprises.

Meanwhile, Madinah city is expected to host 100 factories soon, in addition to the recently-launched 24 plants.

Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) has inaugurated 24 plants in 1500 square meters space in the Madinah’s industrial city.

Modon targets supporting entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises in the region to raise the gross domestic product rate to more than 35 percent, in accordance with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 on the national industry development program.

Head of the Industrial Committee of the Madinah Chamber Dr. Salih Farsi stressed the importance of diversifying sources of income in the Saudi economy.

He said this region has a comparative and competitive advantage that qualifies it to play a prominent role in promoting the Saudi 2030 Vision.

The Industrial Committee at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Madinah played a great role with Modon to reinforce this vision, Farsi noted.

He explained that the Committee has developed a methodology that comes in line with the 2030 Vision and is consistent with the Board of Directors’ 2030 strategy.

Farsi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Committee works on supporting the added value of the development and Hajj and Umrah related industries and enhancing the supply chains to benefit from projects around Madinah city.

He pointed out that working to establish an industrial zone that serves light and transformational manufacturing industries was one of the major demands in Madinah.

The zone was approved in meetings held between the Industrial Committee in Madinah Chamber and Modon.



Saudi PIF, Elm Sign Agreement for Elm to Acquire Thiqah

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) logo
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) logo
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Saudi PIF, Elm Sign Agreement for Elm to Acquire Thiqah

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) logo
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) logo

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Elm, a leading digital solutions company, have signed a share sale and purchase agreement for Elm to acquire Thiqah Business Services Company – a firm specializing in smart technology solutions for business services – in a deal valued at $907 million (SAR3.4 billion).

Completion is expected once regulatory approvals are obtained and certain conditions are satisfied under the agreement.

According to a PIF statement, the transaction will further support a thriving local information and communication technologies (ICT) ecosystem and contribute to PIF’s strategy which aligns with the Vision 2030 aim of using digital transformation to create the high-skills jobs of the future and further grow the Saudi economy. The deal will enhance the growth of the ICT sector, drive innovation, and localize technologies and knowledge by strengthening Elm to lead the sector at the national level, maximizing the value chain by providing a wide range of ICT products, services and devices.

The ICT sector is among PIF’s strategic priority investment sectors, being a key enabler of other key sectors, including entertainment, financial services, healthcare, transport and logistics, and utilities and renewables, the statement said.

“PIF is committed to enabling the creation of national champions which contribute to driving the development and growth of the Saudi economy. PIF’s sale of Thiqah to Elm will contribute to enhancing the vital role of the ICT sector and will strengthen efforts to localize technology and drive innovation,” Head of Technology and Media, MENA Investments, at PIF Shahd Attar said.

CEO of Elm Mohammad Abdulaziz Alomair said: “This is an important transaction for Elm, as it enhances integration, rationalizes spending, increases profitability, and provides qualitative advantages for both parties and the market.”

“The combined integrated entity will be better able to create advanced national smart services to serve market requirements and clients’ needs. It will also contribute to facilitating innovative operations and capabilities to develop products in the business field with cost advantages while achieving economies of scale,” he added.