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Egypt Kuwait Holding Set to Launch First Commercial Project in Saudi Arabia

Egypt Kuwait Holding CEO Jon Rokk.
Egypt Kuwait Holding CEO Jon Rokk.
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Egypt Kuwait Holding Set to Launch First Commercial Project in Saudi Arabia

Egypt Kuwait Holding CEO Jon Rokk.
Egypt Kuwait Holding CEO Jon Rokk.

Egypt Kuwait Holding (EKH) plans to announce its first investment in Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas sector within two to three months, after completing the bulk of the project’s capital expenditures, CEO Jon Rokk said.

In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Rokk described the project as “promising" and said it had been “in the planning stages for a long time.”

EKH, one of the fastest-growing investment firms in the Middle East and North Africa, manages a diverse portfolio spanning five key sectors: fertilizers, petrochemicals, gas distribution, power generation and distribution, and non-banking financial services, including insurance.

As part of EKH's expansion strategy, it is close to officially announcing its first investment in Saudi Arabia—a promising oil and gas project that has been in the works for some time, Rokk said.

EKH is leveraging its extensive expertise and strong track record in Egypt, including the development, operation, and maintenance of the largest private gas distribution network in the Middle East, he added.

EKH eyes Saudi, European expansion

EKH is set to announce its first investment in Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas sector within the next few months, having already completed the bulk of its capital expenditures, Rokk told Asharq Al-Awsat.

EKH has been working on this project for a long time and it is now in the final stages, preparing to commence commercial operations soon, Rokk revealed. This will enable the company to generate revenue in the coming months.

While he did not disclose further details, he said that EKH is evaluating additional investment opportunities worth between $150 million and $200 million over 2025 and 2026 as part of its expansion strategy.

EKH reported a net profit of $185 million in 2024. According to the company, revenue climbed to $642 million last year, with gross profit and operating profit margins increasing by 40% and 39%, respectively. Net profit rose to $185 million, with net profit margins improving by two percentage points to 29%. Profit attributable to shareholders reached $163 million.

In its 2024 financial statement, EKH said it expects 2025 to bring further improvements in capital allocation and a sharper focus on high-value projects, underscoring the significance of its first Saudi investment.

Saudi investment and growth outlook

While Rokk described EKH’s Saudi project as relatively small compared to its overall portfolio, he stressed its strategic importance.

This is a key step for EKH’s entry into the Saudi market, where it sees significant growth potential, he said.

He also expected the project to unlock future opportunities. This investment could pave the way for securing additional concessions, strengthening EKH's presence in one of the region’s most critical energy markets.

Expanding into Europe

Beyond the Middle East, EKH is developing a new project in Northern Europe, which Rokk described as a major growth driver.

This strategic investment will give it early access to an emerging sector, enhancing its competitiveness and market presence from the outset, he said. EKH anticipates strong returns, supporting its growth and international expansion.

The company’s broader strategy includes increasing foreign currency exposure, tapping into high-growth markets, and diversifying its investment portfolio.

EKH is finalizing the project details and expect to provide further updates by the third quarter as it moves toward execution, Rokk added.

In 2025, EKH aims to expand further—both by entering Saudi Arabia and launching its European project—while continuing to grow its existing businesses.

Strengthening presence in Egypt

EKH is also reinforcing its foothold in Egypt, with plans to boost exports and foreign currency inflows in 2025.

It is exploring several options, including acquisitions and strategic partnerships, focusing on sectors with strong export potential and dollar-denominated returns, Rokk said.

The company aims to leverage Egypt’s competitive advantages—such as low production costs and strategic location—to increase exports and maximize foreign currency earnings.

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Business

IMF and Arab Monetary Fund Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
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IMF and Arab Monetary Fund Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference on Emerging Market Economies (EME) to enhance cooperation between the two institutions.

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki, SPA reported.

The agreement aims to strengthen coordination in economic and financial policy areas, including surveillance and lending activities, data and analytical exchange, capacity building, and the provision of technical assistance, in support of regional financial and economic stability.

Both sides affirmed that the MoU represents an important step toward deepening their strategic partnership and strengthening the regional financial safety net, serving member countries and enhancing their ability to address economic challenges.

Business

Saudi Chambers Federation Announces First Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Chambers Federation Announces First Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Federation of Saudi Chambers announced the formation of the first joint Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council for its inaugural term (1447–1451 AH) and the election of Salman bin Hassan Al-Oqayel as its chairman.

Al-Oqayel said the council’s formation marks a pivotal milestone in economic relations between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, reflecting a practical approach to enabling the business sectors in both countries to capitalize on promising investment opportunities and strengthen bilateral trade and investment partnerships, SPA reported.

He noted that trade between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reached approximately SAR9.5 billion by the end of November 2025, including SAR8 billion in Saudi exports and SAR1.5 billion in Kuwaiti imports.

Business

Leading Harvard Trade Economist Says Saudi Arabia Holds Key to Success in Fragmented Global Economy

Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Leading Harvard Trade Economist Says Saudi Arabia Holds Key to Success in Fragmented Global Economy

Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Harvard University economics professor Pol Antràs said Saudi Arabia represents an exceptional model in the shifting global trade landscape, differing fundamentally from traditional emerging-market frameworks. He also stressed that globalization has not ended but has instead re-formed into what he describes as fragmented integration.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, Antràs said Saudi Arabia’s Vision-driven structural reforms position the Kingdom to benefit from the ongoing phase of fragmented integration, adding that the country’s strategic focus on logistics transformation and artificial intelligence constitutes a key engine for sustainable growth that extends beyond the volatility of global crises.

Antràs, the Robert G. Ory Professor of Economics at Harvard University, is one of the leading contemporary theorists of international trade. His research, which reshaped understanding of global value chains, focuses on how firms organize cross-border production and how regulation and technological change influence global trade flows and corporate decision-making.

He said conventional classifications of economies often obscure important structural differences, noting that the term emerging markets groups together countries with widely divergent industrial bases. Economies that depend heavily on manufacturing exports rely critically on market access and trade integration and therefore face stronger competitive pressures from Chinese exports that are increasingly shifting toward alternative markets.

Saudi Arabia, by contrast, exports extensively while facing limited direct competition from China in its primary export commodity, a situation that creates a strategic opportunity. The current environment allows the Kingdom to obtain imports from China at lower cost and access a broader range of goods that previously flowed largely toward the United States market.

Addressing how emerging economies should respond to dumping pressures and rising competition, Antràs said countries should minimize protectionist tendencies and instead position themselves as committed participants in the multilateral trading system, allowing foreign producers to access domestic markets while encouraging domestic firms to expand internationally.

He noted that although Chinese dumping presents concerns for countries with manufacturing sectors that compete directly with Chinese production, the risk is lower for Saudi Arabia because it does not maintain a large manufacturing base that overlaps directly with Chinese exports. Lower-cost imports could benefit Saudi consumers, while targeted policy tools such as credit programs, subsidies, and support for firms seeking to redesign and upgrade business models represent more effective responses than broad protectionist measures.

Globalization has not ended

Antràs said globalization continues but through more complex structures, with trade agreements increasingly negotiated through diverse arrangements rather than relying primarily on multilateral negotiations. Trade deals will continue to be concluded, but they are likely to become more complex, with uncertainty remaining a defining feature of the global trading environment.

Interest rates and artificial intelligence

According to Antràs, high global interest rates, combined with the additional risk premiums faced by emerging markets, are constraining investment, particularly in sectors that require export financing, capital expenditure, and continuous quality upgrading.

However, he noted that elevated interest rates partly reflect expectations of stronger long-term growth driven by artificial intelligence and broader technological transformation.

He also said if those growth expectations materialize, productivity gains could enable small and medium-sized enterprises to forecast demand more accurately and identify previously untapped markets, partially offsetting the negative effects of higher borrowing costs.

Employment concerns and the role of government

The Harvard professor warned that labor markets face a dual challenge stemming from intensified Chinese export competition and accelerating job automation driven by artificial intelligence, developments that could lead to significant disruptions, particularly among younger workers. He said governments must adopt proactive strategies requiring substantial fiscal resources to mitigate near-term labor-market shocks.

According to Antràs, productivity growth remains the central condition for success: if new technologies deliver the anticipated productivity gains, governments will gain the fiscal space needed to compensate affected groups and retrain the workforce, achieving a balance between addressing short-term disruptions and investing in long-term strategic gains.