Saudi Industrial Sector Stimulates Women’s Investments

Saudi MODON is preparing units to encourage the access of entrepreneurs and women to the industrial sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi MODON is preparing units to encourage the access of entrepreneurs and women to the industrial sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Industrial Sector Stimulates Women’s Investments

Saudi MODON is preparing units to encourage the access of entrepreneurs and women to the industrial sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi MODON is preparing units to encourage the access of entrepreneurs and women to the industrial sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

In a move that aims to promote the inclusion of women and young businessmen in the industrial sector, Saudi Arabia has prepared nearly 78 ready-made factories in Sudair City for Industries and Business (north of Riyadh), to be used by SMEs and small entrepreneurs.

Eng. Osama Al-Zamil, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), announced on Tuesday the inauguration of 58 new factories in support of small and medium enterprises, pioneers and entrepreneurs and to encourage women’s investments.

The move is part of the initiatives of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) to boost the contribution of the non-oil sector to the GDP and enrich the development base of the national economy.

The new factories cover an area of 700 square meters per unit.

Al-Zamil added that the project was the product of an effective partnership between the public and private sectors as part of MODON’s strategy to enable industry and contribute to increasing local content.

He added that Sudair City for Industry and Business recently witnessed many significant projects, including the inauguration of 20 ready-made factories with an area of 1,500 square meters, bringing the total to 78 ready-made units of various sizes, and the delivery of a fiber-optic network, in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

Al-Zamil also revealed the signing of an agreement with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation to supply the project with 5,000 cubic meters of desalinated water per day, to be linked with the Corporation’s water transmission facilities and networks.



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.