Saudi Arabia Receives Largest Share of China's BRI Investmentshttps://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3780171/saudi-arabia-receives-largest-share-chinas-bri-investments
Saudi Arabia Receives Largest Share of China's BRI Investments
Saudi Arabia is seeking to increase investments and trade exchange worldwide. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia is the largest recipient of Chinese investments within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during the first half of 2022, according to a recent report.
China's Belt and Road Initiative aims to improve interconnection and cooperation across continents and move to jointly establish the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road.
The Chinese government has focused on the international community, especially the countries along the initiative's paths, to further its initiative.
A report by the Shanghai-based Green Finance and Development Center indicated that gas commitments were higher than in the past two years and accounted for 56 percent of China's energy contributions in 2021.
Saudi Arabia was the primary recipient of gas investments by about $4.6 billion, followed by Iraq.
Saudi Arabia was the primary recipient of Chinese investments, while various countries saw no Chinese engagement in H1 2022, including Russia, Sri Lanka, and Egypt.
According to the report, BRI finance and investments are steady at low levels in the first half of 2022 at $28.4 billion, compared to $29.6 billion in the first half of 2021.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom's merchandise exports reached $38.4 billion in May, compared to $21 billion during the same month last year, an 83.4 percent increase of $17.3 billion.
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) revealed that oil exports increased in May to $30.9 billion, compared to $15.2 billion during the same month in 2021, a 105.5 percent rise.
The report showed the trade balance of exports and imports rose about threefold in May to $24 billion, compared to the same month last year, which reached $9 billion.
It indicated that last May's non-oil exports (including re-exports) amounted to $7.4 billion, compared to $5.8 billion in the same month the previous year, a $1.6 billion increase.
Data showed that the value of the Kingdom's merchandise imports during May amounted to $14.4 billion, compared to $11.7 billion in the same month of 2021, a 21.8 percent hike.
The report revealed that the Kingdom's exports to China last May reached $5.1 billion, 13.3 percent of the total exports, making it the leading destination for Saudi Arabia, followed by India and Japan, amounting to $3.9 billion.
GASTAT is the only official statistical reference for statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia.
It executes all the statistical work and technical oversight of the statistical sector, designs and implements field surveys, conducts statistical studies and research, and analyzes data and information.
The authority also documents and archives the information and statistical data covering all aspects of Saudi Arabia's life from multiple sources.
International Energy Forum: Security of Supply Requires Ensuring Energy Access for Consumershttps://english.aawsat.com/business/5328368-international-energy-forum-security-supply-requires-ensuring-energy-access
International Energy Forum (IEF) Secretary General Jassim Alshirawi speaks with Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the 17th Ministerial Meeting of the International Energy Forum (IEF) in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
International Energy Forum: Security of Supply Requires Ensuring Energy Access for Consumers
International Energy Forum (IEF) Secretary General Jassim Alshirawi speaks with Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the 17th Ministerial Meeting of the International Energy Forum (IEF) in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
International Energy Forum (IEF) Secretary General Jassim Alshirawi stressed on Sunday that supply security remains a top priority amid growing global energy demand, driven by population growth, industrial expansion, and the increasing needs of data centers and artificial intelligence applications.
He emphasized that the challenge goes beyond producing energy and includes ensuring that it is delivered reliably to consumers.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the 17th Ministerial Meeting of the International Energy Forum in Riyadh, Alshirawi praised Saudi Arabia for hosting Riyadh Energy Week, which opened with the forum's ministerial meeting.
He noted that these gatherings provide an opportunity to strengthen dialogue between energy-producing and energy-consuming nations and to explore ways of safeguarding energy security amid the ongoing transformations in the energy sector.
He explained that the forum comprises around 70 countries representing the majority of the world's energy producers and consumers. It also includes an industry advisory board that enables companies to participate in the dialogue between governments, helping to bridge perspectives among stakeholders and address challenges related to energy availability.
Alshirawi added that population growth, industrial needs, and the new demand generated by the expanding use of artificial intelligence are increasing the importance of ensuring adequate energy supplies and the infrastructure needed to transport them to consumers.
He stressed that energy security is not only about a country's ability to produce energy, but also about ensuring that supplies reach their destinations in order to meet the needs of economies and industries.
Aramco Namaat: 5 Years of Industrial Localization and Economic Diversification in Saudi Arabiahttps://english.aawsat.com/business/5328359-aramco-namaat-5-years-industrial-localization-and-economic-diversification-saudi
Aramco Namaat: 5 Years of Industrial Localization and Economic Diversification in Saudi Arabia
Two workers carry out tasks at one of Saudi Aramco's facilities. (Aramco)
Saudi Aramco is expanding its investments in industries and services linked to its core business through the Aramco Namaat program, which has attracted nearly SAR 216 billion ($58 billion) in investments and helped establish 58 new companies since its launch in 2021, according to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat.
The program reflects the company's strategy of building local and international industrial partnerships aimed at localizing manufacturing and advanced technologies, strengthening supply chains, and contributing approximately SAR 103 billion ($27.4 billion) to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product.
Aramco Namaat is an industrial investment and strategic partnership program launched by the Saudi energy giant to attract local and international companies to invest in the Kingdom, develop domestic industries, create jobs for Saudis, and support economic diversification in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Over the past five years, the program has reinforced Aramco’s role in excellence, innovation, and strategic planning, moving from one success to another by leveraging the company’s unique technical, commercial, and execution capabilities.
These five years have marked a turning point by transforming promising business ideas into tangible investment opportunities, turning what was once a vision into successful industrial projects that support a prosperous and sustainable future.
By the Numbers
According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, Aramco Namaat has become the meeting point between ambition and execution. The program has contributed to the launch of 58 active companies and attracted nearly SAR 216 billion ($58 billion) in investments.
Its impact extends beyond investment figures, contributing around SAR 103 billion ($27.4 billion) to Saudi Arabia’s GDP. This highlights the program’s central role in strengthening the domestic economy, localizing key industrial capabilities, and creating employment opportunities for Saudi men and women.
An Integrated Ecosystem
Aramco Namaat serves as a key tool for Saudi Aramco in building industrial investment partnerships. The program’s strategy focuses on creating value through three main pillars:
• Operational resilience for Saudi Aramco
• Technological resilience
• Development of new diversified industries
At the same time, it actively contributes to achieving the ambitions of Vision 2030.
The program seeks to empower national companies and generate value throughout Aramco’s ecosystem across four main areas: manufacturing, industrial services, digitalization and sustainability.
The program has strengthened public-private partnerships and fostered close collaboration with global and local partners, creating large-scale investment opportunities, establishing leading companies, and attracting foreign direct investment, all of which have enhanced the resilience and sustainability of supply chains.
Many of these investments are also supported by Saudi incentive programs that encourage companies to increase local investment. These initiatives have opened new opportunities for industrial-investment partners to participate in and benefit from the company’s long-term growth prospects.
President and CEO of Saudi Aramco Amin Nasser speaks with partners in the Namaat program. (SPA)
Industrial Services
Since its launch, Aramco Namaat has achieved major milestones across its four focus areas and has helped shape the future of industrial localization and economic diversification in the Kingdom.
In manufacturing, the program has supported local production of high-voltage subsea power cables, thick-wall pressure vessels and corrosion-resistant steel pipes.
These initiatives have enabled the localization of strategic and critical manufacturing capabilities.
The program is also working to establish an advanced global hub in Saudi Arabia specializing in modern metal reclamation technologies and production of advanced refining catalysts.
This strategic initiative positions the Kingdom as a leading regional center for sustainable resource recovery, high-value industrial production, and clean-energy solutions, driving economic growth and supporting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible economy.
Within industrial services, Aramco Namaat has supported the localization of a metal casting and forming facility, helping strengthen domestic manufacturing of critical products and enhancing the resilience of industrial supply chains.
The program has also contributed to the development of Saudi engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies, increasing their ability to deliver reliable and competitive projects both within and outside the Kingdom.
Digitalization and Sustainability
Aramco Namaat has continued its contribution to national development through key digitalization initiatives.
Among the most notable are the localization of advanced digital technologies, including the establishment of a national information technology services company that provides integrated solutions in software development, consulting, and technical support to meet the technological needs of various sectors.
The program has also supported Unified Telecom, and more than seven companies located in the Digital Hub at King Salman Energy Park (SPARK).
The program has also made significant contributions to sustainability, including a project to localize the production of specialized glass.
Through the GulfGuard joint venture, it supported Guardian Glass in expanding specialized glass manufacturing within the Kingdom.
The project focuses on high-performance architectural glass, helping meet growing regional demand for energy-efficient buildings. The collaboration included the addition of new float-glass production lines and glass-processing facilities in Jubail Industrial City, strengthening the local supply chain with advanced products and delivering significant gains in technology localization.
The Road Ahead
Building on these achievements, Aramco Namaat is moving into its next phase with a focus on developing strategic industrial opportunities that strengthen Saudi Aramco’s ecosystem while accelerating the Kingdom’s industrial transformation.
Its priorities include driving innovation, supporting local industry, diversifying the economy, encouraging ambitious ideas and entrepreneurship, building resilient supply chains and localizing critical and advanced technologies.
The program continues to attract global partners to help establish new industrial capabilities while expanding advanced digital and manufacturing capacities and accelerating the adoption of industrial and digital solutions across emerging sectors.
In this way, Aramco Namaat is becoming part of a broader success story that reflects the Kingdom’s achievements in energy, industry, and innovation, both regionally and globally.
President of WPC Energy to Asharq Al-Awsat: Security of Supply Returns to the Forefront of Prioritieshttps://english.aawsat.com/business/5328340-president-wpc-energy-asharq-al-awsat-security-supply-returns-forefront-priorities
President of WPC Energy to Asharq Al-Awsat: Security of Supply Returns to the Forefront of Priorities
President of WPC Energy Pedro Miras. Turki Al-Agili
President of WPC Energy Pedro Miras said that security of supply has returned to the forefront of priorities for the global energy sector amid escalating geopolitical disruptions. He stressed that the global energy system is now more resilient to supply shocks than it was a few years ago, even though these disturbances continue to affect prices.
Miras made his remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the 17th Ministerial Meeting of the International Energy Forum (IEF), held in the Saudi capital as part of Riyadh Energy Week, which runs from October 11 to 15.
The week is anchored by the 25ᵗʰ WPC Energy Congress and includes international ministerial meetings focused on energy security and the future of the global energy system.
Riyadh is hosting IEF 17 under the theme “Energy Security and Shared Goals in a New Era.”
The event brings together energy ministers and senior officials to discuss market stability, strengthen dialogue between producing and consuming countries, support investment, and improve the transparency of energy data at a time of growing geopolitical risks and supply-chain challenges.
Miras explained that developments over the past few years have pushed security of supply back to the top of the agenda, stressing the importance of continuing to develop the sector while maintaining a balance among what he described as the three equally important pillars of the energy system.
A general view of the venue hosting the 17th Ministerial Meeting of the International Energy Forum (IEF) in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
Addressing supply disruptions, Miras noted that the industry has faced challenges in various parts of the world, not only in the Middle East, adding that the energy sector has extensive experience in dealing with such situations.
He said that the current disruptions would likely have had a much larger impact on markets in the past. However, the global energy system is now better equipped to withstand shocks than it was just a few years ago, despite the resulting increase in prices.
Miras added that these challenges remain manageable, pointing to previous crises that had far more severe consequences, and called for maintaining confidence in the sector’s ability to overcome ongoing disruptions.
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