Largest Gas Turbine Maintenance Centers Outside the US Join Saudi ‘MODON’

Under the agreement, MODON says initiatives will be launched to support and empower entrepreneurs and SMEs
Under the agreement, MODON says initiatives will be launched to support and empower entrepreneurs and SMEs
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Largest Gas Turbine Maintenance Centers Outside the US Join Saudi ‘MODON’

Under the agreement, MODON says initiatives will be launched to support and empower entrepreneurs and SMEs
Under the agreement, MODON says initiatives will be launched to support and empower entrepreneurs and SMEs

CEO of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) Eng. Majed Al-Argoubi and President of General Electric (GE) Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Hisham Al-Bahkali have signed an agreement whereby GE factories spread over 120,000 square meters in the Eastern Region will come under MODON supervision.

GE Saudi Arabia's industrial complex consists of two factories and a research center, including a power industry technology plant, which is the largest center for service and repair of advanced turbocharged equipment and the largest gas maintenance and sophisticated turbine maintenance center outside the US.

The plant directly serves its main customers within the Kingdom, primarily Saudi Electricity Company, Aramco, and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation. The center, where Saudis constitute up to 64% of the employees, also provides services to over 70 customers in more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Under the above agreement, MODON says that initiatives will be launched to support and empower entrepreneurs and SMEs, in line with the National Industry Strategy.

It also aims to diversify the national economy, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.

MODON is also keen to boost its partnerships with major global manufacturers and companies, to contribute to supporting the Saudi industry with advanced technologies and to enhancing its competitiveness in regional and international markets.

MODON supervises 18 private industrial complexes and cities; it has created an industrial environment that stimulates the growth of investment activities, supported by all industrial services and products, and offers logistical and technical solutions that are consistent with global best practices in this field.

Through its strategy to empower industry and contribute to increasing local contribution, MODON seeks to help the private sector contribute some 65% to the GDP, under the umbrella of the National Strategy for Industry, which is in line with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030.



Al Khateeb: Tourism Sector Tops Agenda at WEF Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos

A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
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Al Khateeb: Tourism Sector Tops Agenda at WEF Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos

A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb stressed on Monday that Saudi Arabia's participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Switzerland, underscores its steadfast commitment to shaping the global dialogue on travel and tourism as key drivers of economic growth and cultural exchange.

Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al Khateeb highlighted that tourism is a central focus at this year’s forum, with Saudi Arabia showcasing its achievements and fostering partnerships to drive the sector’s global growth.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is experiencing unprecedented expansion under Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program, positioning the Kingdom as a leading global destination with an ambitious goal of welcoming 150 million tourists annually.

The minister noted that tourism currently contributes 5% to Saudi Arabia's GDP, with projections to double to 10% by 2030. This growth is fueled by strategic investments in groundbreaking projects such as the Red Sea Project, Diriyah, and Qiddiya, alongside numerous private-sector initiatives that are boosting tourism across the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is leveraging its natural and cultural assets to establish a global benchmark for tourism-led economic development, he added.

Al Khateeb also highlighted tourism's vital role in the global economy, citing the 2023 Economic Impact Report (EIR) by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which revealed that the global travel and tourism sector contributed 9.1% to global GDP—a 23.2% increase from the previous year.

He described Saudi Arabia's participation in Davos as an opportunity to amplify its achievements through collaboration with global leaders, strengthen public-private partnerships, and reinforce its role as a hub for international cooperation.