Saudi EXIM Bank Gets Organizationally Linked to National Development Fund

 EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Saudi EXIM Bank Gets Organizationally Linked to National Development Fund

 EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Official information revealed that a higher approval was issued for the Saudi Export-Import Bank (EXIM) to be linked organizationally with the National Development Fund, after the fund’s board of directors adopted the decision earlier this year.

Information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat revealed that the Council of Economic and Development Affairs reported that the Committee of Experts in the Saudi Council of Ministers studied the matter in coordination with representatives from both sides, and approved the bank’s organizational linking with the fund.

Last year, the Council of Ministers approved the association of the Saudi Export-Import Bank with the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, provided that the bank, within six months of assuming its duties, study the suitability of its connection with the National Development Fund, present the results of the study and complete the required measures accordingly.

EXIM Bank provides financial and other assistance to importers and exporters of the Kingdom and coordinates with other institutions that work in the import-export sector.

The bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment and export supporting services, increase the knowledge of export practice and develop the relevant human capital, increase the visibility of Saudi offerings in target markets and to potential buyers and facilitate business matching between exporters and potential buyers and partners.

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef said that the Saudi Export-Import Bank was an important tributary that supports exporters and importers by providing credit solutions that contribute to accelerating and facilitating export operations in the private sector and overcoming the obstacles facing this important activity, with the aim of increasing the impact the economy of non-oil exports in the gross domestic product.



Dubai Awards $5.5 Bln Metro Line Project to Consortium

The metro line will span 30 km and include 14 stations
The metro line will span 30 km and include 14 stations
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Dubai Awards $5.5 Bln Metro Line Project to Consortium

The metro line will span 30 km and include 14 stations
The metro line will span 30 km and include 14 stations

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) awarded on Thursday a 20.5 billion dirham ($5.5 billion) contract for the Dubai Metro Blue Line project to a consortium of three companies.

The consortium consists of Türkiye's MAPA and Limak, and China's state-owned CRRC.

The metro line will span 30 km and include 14 stations.

The project is scheduled to be completed on September 9, 2029, with construction slated to begin in April 2025. The completion date is 20 years to the day since Dubai Metro opened, initially with 10 Red Line stations, on September 9, 2009.

The Blue Line will offer “sustainable and flexible public transport solutions that enhance mobility for residents and visitors, elevate quality of life, and strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for events and activities,” said RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer.

The Blue Line is expected to generate 56.5 billion dirhams in economic benefits by 2040, driven by savings in time, fuel consumption, reduced road accident deaths, and lower carbon emissions, he added.