عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Saudi: SEC Secures $2.6 Billion in Local Syndicated Facility Agreement

The Oil Demand Sustainability Program signed a cooperation agreement with SAL Saudi Logistics Services. (SPA)
The Oil Demand Sustainability Program signed a cooperation agreement with SAL Saudi Logistics Services. (SPA)
TT
20
TT

Saudi: SEC Secures $2.6 Billion in Local Syndicated Facility Agreement

The Oil Demand Sustainability Program signed a cooperation agreement with SAL Saudi Logistics Services. (SPA)
The Oil Demand Sustainability Program signed a cooperation agreement with SAL Saudi Logistics Services. (SPA)

The Saudi Electricity Company signed with nine local banks a syndicated facility agreement valued at SAR 10 billion ($2.6 billion).

The seven-year facility is provided by Al Rajhi Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, Saudi British Bank, Saudi National Bank, Riyad Bank, Bank Albilad, Bank AlJazira, Qatar National Bank KSA and Saudi Investment Bank.

In a statement, Saudi Electricity said that the collateral-free facility was intended to be used for financing general corporate purposes, including capital expenditure.

Saudi Electricity CEO Khaled Al-Gnoon emphasized that the company was working to improve efficiency and reliability, and to achieve a quantum leap in developing and automating the electric service provided to a growing base of nearly 11 million subscribers.

On a different note, the Oil Demand Sustainability Program signed a cooperation agreement with SAL Saudi Logistics Services, which provides for the replacement of wooden pallets with plastic pallets, in a move aimed at supporting the transition towards sustainability in the field of logistics and loading.

The Oil Demand Sustainability Program was launched in 2020, with the participation of several government agencies, companies and research centers. The program works to enhance the added value that can be achieved from hydrocarbons, by developing innovative hydrocarbon materials, and promoting their sustainable use, in addition to supporting the localization of the associated supply chain in the Kingdom.

The agreement was signed by the Head of the Executive Office of the Petroleum Demand Sustainability Program, Eng. Mohammad Haitham Al-Tayyar, and the Managing Director and CEO of SAL Saudi Company for Logistics Services, Faisal Al-Beddah.

Al-Beddah noted that the use of polymeric materials in the manufacture of pallets had several economic and environmental benefits.

He explained that plastic pallets were more sustainable, produced less carbon emissions, were recyclable and reusable, and preserved vegetation.

SAL Saudi Logistics Services provides integrated logistical services in the field of cargo handling across all Saudi airports.

It also offers integrated logistical solutions services to its partners from the sports, entertainment, culture and arts sectors to contribute to achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Most Viewed

 
Business

Saudi Arabia Expands Homeownership Eligibility in Government Housing Projects

A project by the Saudi Ministry of Rural Affairs and Housing. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A project by the Saudi Ministry of Rural Affairs and Housing. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20
TT

Saudi Arabia Expands Homeownership Eligibility in Government Housing Projects

A project by the Saudi Ministry of Rural Affairs and Housing. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A project by the Saudi Ministry of Rural Affairs and Housing. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a new decision allowing the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing to sell residential units within its housing projects to individuals who are not beneficiaries of government housing support. Real estate experts view the move as a strategic shift that boosts the flexibility of public asset management and maximizes the use of available housing stock.

The decision is expected to boost supply, improve market balance, and promote sustainability in the housing sector.

According to Abdulrahman Al-Tawil, Deputy Minister for Residential Supply Stimulus and Real Estate Development, the decision aims to broaden access to homeownership by including new population segments. Families and individuals who do not qualify for housing support will now be able to purchase units or relocate between homes in new suburban developments overseen by the ministry.

Single individuals and those who previously received loans from the Real Estate Development Fund will be eligible to buy homes in projects launched within the past two years. However, non-beneficiaries will purchase units at market rates, while support recipients will continue to receive financial assistance.

Al-Tawil emphasized that each project will initially offer a four-month window of exclusive sales to support beneficiaries before opening to the wider public.

The move is also designed to align housing supply with urban demand. Al-Tawil cited over 100,000 housing units currently available in Riyadh, offering a range of ownership options that address diverse needs.

Real estate appraiser Eng. Ahmed Al-Faqih believes the decision will have a significant impact on the market by strengthening housing supply and supporting price stability.

The entry of the National Housing Company into the private market adds a new, competitive dynamic that developers must consider when pricing their products, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

This competition, he said, will not only influence pricing but also encourage developers to prioritize quality—an essential goal of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Real estate expert Saqr Al-Zahrani also praised the decision. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said it addresses the issue of unsold inventory and offers homeownership opportunities to underserved citizens. He highlighted its potential to generate non-oil revenue and support long-term project sustainability without compromising the priority status of current beneficiaries.

Expanding ownership eligibility could help close gaps in the real estate market, especially in cities where ownership remains low, he added, while expecting the decision to encourage innovation in housing development and financing, further stimulating competition between public and private sectors.

On the issue of housing inflation, Al-Zahrani noted that increasing actual supply will reduce speculative activity and promote more disciplined pricing. This is especially critical for middle-income buyers who face volatility in the current market.

Effective implementation of the policy, supported by clear regulations and transparency, will be vital to achieving its intended outcomes, he remarked.