عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Interviews

Saudi ‘MODON’ Chief: Work is Underway to Raise Rate of Women Investors to 20%

Saudi Arabia is working to empower women investors in the industrial sector, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia is working to empower women investors in the industrial sector, Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
TT

Saudi ‘MODON’ Chief: Work is Underway to Raise Rate of Women Investors to 20%

Saudi Arabia is working to empower women investors in the industrial sector, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia is working to empower women investors in the industrial sector, Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON) Director-General Khalid Al-Salem has reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to developing smart industrial cities that meet the needs of both national and foreign investors.

Today, the size of developed industrial lands in Saudi Arabia exceeds 198.8 million square meters. MODON has ensured that operations and management of industrial cities in the Kingdom are run according to the highest international standards.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Salem revealed that Saudi Arabia has successfully attracted over 4,000 industrial contracts that encompass different sectors and involve more than SR367 billion ($98 billion).

He also noted that recently signed agreements helped attract Chinese quality industries to the Kingdom.

Speaking about the role played by women in developing national industries, Al-Salem acknowledged that it was vital.

He noted that the number of Saudi women working in the industrial cities overseen by MODON had increased by nearly 120% to reach 17,000 female workers by the end of Q1 2020. This is a significant hike from the 7,860-figure recorded in 2018.

Saudi women are finding more employment as private and government bodies strive to reach qualified women across the Kingdom’s economic sectors.

As for Saudi women investors in the Kingdom’s industrial sectors, Al-Salem said they represent 1% of total investors but stressed that work is underway to raise their share to 20%. He noted that this will be achieved in partnership with both the private and public sectors.

Launching the “Industry Ladies Conference 2020” represents one of the many examples of efforts spent by Saudi authorities to support the empowerment of women investors in industrial sectors, noted Al-Salem.

He revealed that MODON is looking to transform the female-focused forum to an annual event for dealing with investment opportunities in the Kingdom and addressing challenges inhibiting the role of women in the industrial sector.

Despite MODON having come a long way in its journey to increase Saudi women participation in the Kingdom’s industrial sector, Al-Salem reaffirmed that the authority is still striving toward more women empowerment.

He added that MODON has made the industrial sector more attractive to women through innovative financing products, services and solutions that suit their important role in the national economy.

Incentives for working women include the launch of industrial oases, which are characterized by the availability of nurseries, parking spaces and medical and recreational centers.

These oases host clean industries such as medical and food industries, rubber and high-tech industries, as well as prefabricated factories supporting women entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises, noted Al-Salem.

He added that 2021 will see the launch of small, prefabricated factories to enable women’s investments in the industrial city of Dammam, a first for the Kingdom.

Coronavirus Pandemic

MODON has successfully implemented a range of initiatives that helped in easing and limiting the fallout caused by the coronavirus pandemic, affirmed Al-Salem.

The authority has cut annual rents by 25% until 2020-end and delayed the payment of other fees for 90 days for factories, he noted, asserting that these measures fall within the Saudi initiative to support the industrial sector.

This initiative includes the exemption from fees related to engineering schemes and contracts amendment until year-end. It also comprises extending the timeframe for the construction works of factories from 24 months to 36 months, in addition to extending the operation license term until end of year.

Al-Salem added that MODON has conducted 1,557 field inspections to ensure that industrial institutions in the Kingdom are following precautionary and preventative measures designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Most Viewed

 
 
Interviews

Yemen Defense Minister: Houthi Attacks May Persist Even After Gaza War Ends

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Yemen Defense Minister: Houthi Attacks May Persist Even After Gaza War Ends

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Yemen’s Defense Minister, Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri, does not expect Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea to stop even if the Gaza war ends. He also warns of rising tensions in the region, which could lead to a major conflict.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, al-Daeri affirmed close coordination between Yemeni forces and the Saudi-led Arab Coalition. He praised Saudi Arabia’s key role in the coalition, highlighting its continuous support for Yemen.

Al-Daeri said there has been significant progress in unifying government-aligned military forces, with committees set up by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) establishing a joint operations authority.

Despite challenges, he remains optimistic that these efforts will help unify the military command against the common enemy — Yemen’s Houthi militias.

Al-Daeri warned that Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea are a serious threat to Yemen and the region. He noted that the Houthis are using these attacks to distract from their internal problems and are trying to capitalize on Yemeni sympathy for Palestine by claiming support for Gaza.

He added that the Houthis are unlikely to stop targeting international shipping, even if the Gaza war ends, and are constantly seeking new alliances with terrorist groups to strengthen their position.

Al-Daeri, accused Iran of fueling instability in Yemen by supporting Houthi militias for years, smuggling weapons and military experts to spread chaos without regard for regional stability.

On US relations, Al-Daeri said ties are good but military cooperation remains limited. He noted that US military aid, suspended in 2014, has not yet returned to previous levels.

Al-Daeri said his visit to Saudi Arabia was part of ongoing coordination with the Joint Operations Command and the Saudi Ministry of Defense to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.

During his “productive” visit, Al-Daeri met with several military leaders, congratulated the new commander of the Joint Operations, Lt. Gen. Fahd Al-Salman, and held talks with officials from the Saudi Ministry of Defense and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition.

Al-Daeri emphasized the strong defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia, particularly during Yemen’s war in recent years.

He noted that the high level of coordination with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Arab Coalition members has significantly improved regional military readiness.

Al-Daeri said relations with Saudi Arabia are growing stronger, with both countries working closely together to fulfill their missions in the region.

He described defense cooperation as being at its peak, praising Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the Arab Coalition.

“Saudi Arabia has always provided full support—military, financial, and moral. As the region’s strongest power, they have supported Yemen not just with resources, but also with strategic expertise and by fighting alongside us, even sacrificing their lives for our cause,” Al-Daeri told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He said Houthi militias have taken advantage of the ceasefire and the Saudi-led initiative, which later became a UN effort, to conduct hostile activities and assert their presence.

He referred to the Houthis’ actions as creating a “massive prison” for millions of Yemenis who do not want to live in their controlled areas.

Al-Daeri, described the situation in the region as dangerous, pointing to recent events in Gaza and Lebanon as signs of increasing tensions. He warned of the risk of an unprecedented regional war due to the rising violence and conflicts.

“What is happening is very alarming, especially with the recent events, including terrorist militias in Yemen, the unacceptable violence in Gaza over the past year, and the situation in southern Lebanon. This all signals the risk of an unusual war,” said al-Daeri.

Regarding potential outcomes, al-Daeri noted that Yemeni forces are ready for both war and peace. He acknowledged significant efforts to achieve peace but warned that renewed conflict could occur at any moment. He also pointed out ongoing provocations from Houthis, which continue to lead to casualties.

"We are ready for all options and have comprehensive strategic plans for deploying our forces. The past two years have seen a ceasefire, and the Arab Coalition is making significant efforts to achieve peace rather than resorting to war. However, this does not mean that conflict won’t resume; it could restart at any time,” explained al-Daeri.

“Despite the ceasefire and the presence of our forces, the legitimate troops have not fired back, yet the militias provoke us daily, resulting in casualties,” he added.

“Patience is a key quality of the legitimate authority in Yemen, led by Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and his colleagues in the Presidential Leadership Council. This patience reflects our readiness for the moment of truth, whether for peace or war—we are prepared,” asserted al-Daeri.