Saudi Red Sea Project Secures $3.8 Billion Green Loan

Saudi Red Sea project receives the first green credit facility from Saudi banks (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Red Sea project receives the first green credit facility from Saudi banks (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Red Sea Project Secures $3.8 Billion Green Loan

Saudi Red Sea project receives the first green credit facility from Saudi banks (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Red Sea project receives the first green credit facility from Saudi banks (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has secured a $3.77 billion ‘green’ loan from four Saudi banks.

The company said that the 15-year term loan and revolving credit facility was signed with Banque Saudi Fransi, Saudi British Bank (SABB), Riyad Bank, and Saudi National Bank (SNB).

The loan is green finance, the first of its kind in a Saudi riyal-denominated loan facility, said the statement, adding that the accreditation was awarded due to its market-leading approach to social and environmental sustainability and the Red Sea Project’s international recognition as a green project.

Through this credit facility, the four participating banks are demonstrating their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) credentials, while TRSDC is able to establish itself as a world-leader in sustainable development.

CEO of TRSDC John Pagano said that by applying a unique approach to design, utilizing more sustainable methods of construction, and using groundbreaking technology, the company is not only reducing its impact on the environment but helping to deliver on its commitment to achieving a 30 percent net conservation benefit by 2040.

“It is this pioneering approach that has helped us secure the first-ever Riyal-denominated Green Finance credit facility,” said Pagano.

He noted that this financing adds another level of credibility by having the banks support the project, adding that with a fully secured capital structure the project will become more attractive to investors.

Saudi Vision 2030 aims to diversify the national economy, and by 2027, the Red Sea project is expected to receive 2.4 billion tourists, which leads to spending $2.2 trillion.

The Red Sea project will contribute to diversifying the Saudi economy and providing many important jobs and investment opportunities.



Alswaha: Saudi Arabia's Participation at WEF Strengthens Global Efforts in AI Technologies

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha. SPA file photo
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha. SPA file photo
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Alswaha: Saudi Arabia's Participation at WEF Strengthens Global Efforts in AI Technologies

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha. SPA file photo
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha. SPA file photo

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha has underlined the Kingdom's pivotal role in driving the global agenda to enhance the digital economy, foster innovation, and leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to serve humanity and protect the planet.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), he highlighted that the Kingdom's international standing is a result of the support and guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The minister explained that Saudi Arabia's participation in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, held from January 20 to 24, comes at a time when the world is transitioning from the digital age to the AI age.

This underscores the Kingdom's significant role in leading global efforts to promote innovation and utilize AI for the benefit of humanity.

He noted that the annual high-profile gathering provides a global platform to showcase the Kingdom's developmental, economic, and technological achievements under the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, made possible by the support of the Kingdom's leadership.

Alswaha said that Saudi Arabia is working in partnership with the international community to harness AI as a key tool for advancing sustainable development and achieving global goals, adding that these efforts aim to improve quality of life, support the digital economy, and create new job opportunities across various sectors, contributing to a sustainable and prosperous future for all.