Saudi Arabia Inks Agreements, MoUs of $2.66 Bln at Real Estate Future Forum

One of the sessions of the Real Estate Future Forum in Riyadh, in which ministers and officials participated (Asharq Al-Awsat)
One of the sessions of the Real Estate Future Forum in Riyadh, in which ministers and officials participated (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Inks Agreements, MoUs of $2.66 Bln at Real Estate Future Forum

One of the sessions of the Real Estate Future Forum in Riyadh, in which ministers and officials participated (Asharq Al-Awsat)
One of the sessions of the Real Estate Future Forum in Riyadh, in which ministers and officials participated (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has signed agreements and MoUs of more than 10 billion Saudi riyals ($2.66 billion) to set up four investment funds to develop commercial, tourism and residential projects.

A part of the investments will also be made in the field of real estate development and construction techniques.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism signed investment agreements worth SAR50 billion with the private sector over the past three years to build hotels until 2026, Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb revealed.

The minister also announced that the Kingdom wants to build 700,000 hotel units by 2030.

The agreements and announcements were signed and made at the Real Estate Future Forum held in Riyadh, in the presence of Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail.

Al-Hogail stated that the forum would deal with 10 strategic areas, the most important being the role of regions, governorates, ministries, and secretariats in harmonizing the empowerment in the real estate sector, future of investment, regulations and private sector participation.

During his participation in the Real Estate Future Forum, Al Khateeb pointed out that the contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP increased from 3% in 2019 to 4% by the end of last year, with the aim to reach 10% by 2030 to add $70-$80 billion to the GDP in turn.

For his part, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef revealed that work is underway with the Energy Ministry to develop petrochemical products for alternatives used in building and construction, so that this sector supports the sustainability of demand.

Other officials who participated in the forum mentioned that prominent investment opportunities in the region lie in the Kingdom’s vast lands and rural tourism. They stressed that government sectors are cooperating with all real estate companies.



Iraq Seeks US Investment in Gas as New Projects Target Energy Independence

Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)
Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)
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Iraq Seeks US Investment in Gas as New Projects Target Energy Independence

Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)
Iraqi flag in front of an oil field (AFP)

Iraq plans to offer 10 gas exploration blocks to US companies during an upcoming visit by Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani to the United States, he announced on Saturday.
The move is part of Baghdad's efforts to attract US investment into its energy sector, following previous licensing rounds where Chinese firms secured the majority of available fields.
The 10 gas blocks, left unclaimed following six licensing rounds, will be presented in a new bidding process, Iraqi state media said, and comes as Iraq seeks to bolster its domestic gas production.
Abdel-Ghani also said Iraq will launch a new gas investment project by the end of the year at the Al-Faihaa oil field in southern Iraq. The project, with a capacity of 125 million standard cubic feet (mscf), is a key component of Iraq's strategy to enhance its energy infrastructure.
The latest initiative follows recent agreements to develop 13 oil and gas blocks, aimed at increasing Iraq's crude and gas output to supply power plants, which currently rely heavily on Iranian gas imports.