Saudi Arabia, South Africa Hold Meeting to Discuss Qualitative Investments in Entrepreneurial Firms

The Saudi-South African roundtable meeting held in Jeddah on Sunday, October 16, 2022.  (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi-South African roundtable meeting held in Jeddah on Sunday, October 16, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia, South Africa Hold Meeting to Discuss Qualitative Investments in Entrepreneurial Firms

The Saudi-South African roundtable meeting held in Jeddah on Sunday, October 16, 2022.  (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi-South African roundtable meeting held in Jeddah on Sunday, October 16, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A Saudi-South African roundtable meeting was held Sunday in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

The meeting aimed at promoting investment relations, bolstering efforts to develop economic ties and qualitative investments for entrepreneurial companies, and enabling the private sector to benefit from the opportunities available in the two countries.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid al-Falih, Minister of Tourism Ahmad al-Khateeb, and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar al-Khorayef, as well as South African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel attended the meeting.

The roundtable talks saw the participation of Saudi and South African entrepreneurship companies, the Federation of Saudi Chambers and representatives of the private sectors and companies from the two sides.

The agenda included presentations by Saudi and South African companies, opportunities to develop their businesses and means to address challenges they are facing in an attempt to enhance business and investments in the fields of energy, renewable energy, mining, agriculture, food, tourism, logistics, and ICT.

The meeting represents a step to support the outcomes of the Saudi-South African Investment Forum that was held Saturday and reviewed bilateral investment opportunities, with the participation of several officials from the two countries and representatives of the private sectors and companies.

Falih underscored the importance of Ramaphosa’s active participation in strengthening investment, trade and business ties.

He pointed out that the two countries and their commercial societies have ambitious plans for investment and economic development.

Falih indicated that the roundtable represents the next step in achieving the aspirations, with two governments working to help provide business growth opportunities for the vibrant and innovative private sector companies in both countries.

On Saturday, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Investment held the Saudi-South African Investment Forum in Jeddah. The event was attended by Ramaphosa and dozens of senior officials from the two countries.

The two countries signed 11 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding to boost investment in energy, water, green hydrogen, waste diversion, and logistics.

The agreements aimed to promote the developing investment sectors between the two nations and between the Middle East and South Africa, and transfer specialized technical knowledge and expertise.

Bilateral trade between the two countries increased from $4.6 billion in 2019 to around $4.8 billion last year, and is expected to exceed $5.3 billion this year, Falih said.

The minister praised the solid and friendly ties between the two countries, including their economic and trade cooperation which has stood for over three decades.

He stated that the priority areas of cooperation between the two countries include renewable and green energy, mining, agriculture and food processing, hydrogen and solar energy, tourism, aerospace, and information technology, among others.



Saudi ROSHN Group Reveals Rebranding

A ROSHN project in Saudi Arabia (ROSHN website)
A ROSHN project in Saudi Arabia (ROSHN website)
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Saudi ROSHN Group Reveals Rebranding

A ROSHN project in Saudi Arabia (ROSHN website)
A ROSHN project in Saudi Arabia (ROSHN website)

ROSHN Group, a pioneering real estate developer backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has introduced on Sunday a new identity and strategic focus that expands its remit to include asset classes beyond its core residential offering.
This transformation into a multi-asset developer cements ROSHN's status as a trailblazer in the real estate sector and sets the stage for an innovative approach to developing mixed-use projects and multi-asset destinations, the Group said in a statement.
It said the launch of ROSHN Group’s fresh visual identity signifies a milestone in its commitment to broadening its real estate portfolio and establishing integrated destinations that cater to society’s diverse needs.
The new portfolio will encompass ROSHN’s core asset classes of 200 million square meters of residential property, alongside over four million square meters of gross leasable area across retail, commercial, and hospitality sectors.
Its enabling assets will include education, mosques, and healthcare, while opportunity assets span transport and logistics, including warehouses, industrial parks, and knowledge hubs, as well as leisure and entertainment, ranging from entertainment centers to fitness hubs.
These projects will showcase an exceptional diversity of assets, creating investment opportunities, elevating living standards, and driving economic growth, the Group said.
“Our growing portfolio now seamlessly integrates forward-thinking amenities and elevated connectivity, fostering opportunities for commercial partnerships, job creation, investment, and economic growth in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030,” said Chief Marketing and Communication Officer Ghada Al Rumayan of ROSHN Group.
She added, “With our own evolution, this vision becomes even more tangible as we introduce our expanded approach and dedication to improving quality of life through iconic new destinations across the Kingdom.”
Al Rumayan said that ROSHN takes pride in its role as a leading real estate developer in the Kingdom with a vision to transform urban living.