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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
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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.

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UN Coordinator in Syria: Optimistic About Reconstruction if Transition Succeeds

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Coordinator in Syria: Optimistic About Reconstruction if Transition Succeeds

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Since 2012, the United Nations Resident Coordinator's developmental role in Syria has been put on hold by the UN. However, the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad’s regime has revived this role.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, outlined plans for reconstruction in partnership with the new government in Damascus.

Abdelmoula expressed “great optimism” about Syria’s rebuilding but stressed that the key to rapid recovery is the “success of the transition.”

He explained that this means the transitional period—until a new constitution is agreed upon and an elected government is formed—must be secure and supported by consensus among all Syrians.

Additionally, momentum is building for Syria’s reconstruction, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries proposing an international donor conference next spring to raise funds.

Abdelmoula said the UN is consulting with the new Syrian administration to prepare projects and cost estimates for the event.

The UN is preparing aid and technical support for Syria’s new administration, along with a development plan focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, restoring electricity, reviving health services, and supporting agriculture and irrigation to boost the economy.

“We’ve informed the new administration of our work through a letter sent to the foreign minister,” said Abdelmoula.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the UN’s “early recovery strategy,” launched last November, is still in place, though its fund has yet to be registered with the trust fund office in New York.

He promised to prioritize its registration and said: “When reconstruction begins in Syria, we will work to establish a dedicated reconstruction fund.”

As for relying on donors for rebuilding Syria, Abdelmoula said: “The UN doesn’t have the billions of dollars needed, but lessons from similar crises show the importance of focusing on strategic priorities, especially rebuilding the economic foundations.”

Abdelmoula noted that UN agencies can secure funding from donors who support development activities in various countries, a process that had been stalled in Syria for over a decade.

“Since the fall of the Syrian regime, many countries, particularly Arab and neighboring ones, have provided significant aid, and this is expected to increase,” he said.

“There are also positive signals from donors, especially Europeans, about boosting humanitarian aid, including continuing the annual Brussels Conference to support Syria,” added Abdelmoula.

He revealed that the mission has learned the European Union will resume hosting the conference this year, despite the fall of Assad’s regime.

The UN official addressed Syria’s sanctions, stating that those harming the Syrian people should be lifted.

He noted that the recent Riyadh meeting showed a strong intention from key international players to ease or fully lift the sanctions.

Abdelmoula pointed out the US decision to suspend some sanctions for six months and mentioned an upcoming EU foreign ministers' meeting to discuss either lifting or easing sanctions to support Syria’s economy, humanitarian aid, banking, and market access.

He explained that some sanctions are imposed by countries like the US, Germany, France, and the UK, which are discussing the best way forward. However, he said fully lifting sanctions may take time due to laws like the US Caesar Act.

Abdelmoula stressed that efforts should focus on reducing the impact of sanctions under the Caesar Act and working to pass new legislation to cancel it. He said this should also apply to sanctions from other countries in the form of laws.

He explained that lifting sanctions would make it easier for the UN and help both the Syrian government and people. A direct benefit would be Syria’s ability to access direct funding, concessional loans from international funds and the World Bank, and grants.

Abdelmoula explained that the UN’s humanitarian work in Syria focuses on helping people in need, regardless of which political group controls the area.

“Our efforts have included people in regions outside the former regime's control in northwestern and northeastern Syria,” he said.

As the UN Resident Coordinator, Abdelmoula represents the UN in the country.

“The government recognized until December 8 was Bashar al-Assad’s, which is why my credentials were sent to it, as is the usual practice,” he noted.

Abdelmoula also pointed out that the UN’s development work in Syria was halted since 2012 due to a UN decision.

“After the regime fell, we announced that we would resume our development work,” he affirmed.