ACWA Power inks $650m financing deal for Jubail-3A IWP

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Updated 10 September 2020
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ACWA Power inks $650m financing deal for Jubail-3A IWP

ACWA Power, a Saudi Arabian developer, investor and operator of power generation and desalinated water plants, has announced the successful signing of senior financing agreements for the $650 million Jubail-3A independent water project (IWP).

The project is the fourth seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination project to be awarded in Saudi Arabia over the last 3 years, as part of the largest public-private partnership desalinated water procurement program in the world. Jubail-3A IWP will utilize reverse osmosis technology to yield a capacity of 600,000 cubic meters a day.

The utility-scale project had been awarded to the consortium led by ACWA Power, in association with Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) and Al-Bawani Water and Power Company (AWP), earlier this year at a world-record tariff of 41 cents per m3 for desalinated potable water. The water purchase agreement was signed on May 21 by Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) in its capacity as the off-taker of the project.

The transaction is financed through limited recourse ring-fenced project financing with Al-Rajhi Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Riyad Bank and Mizuho Bank being the initial mandated lead arrangers. In addition, Riyad Bank and Bank AlJazira have already provided equity bridge loans for the transaction earlier this month.

Paddy Padmanathan, president and CEO of ACWA Power, said: “The signing of the financing agreements for the Jubail-3A IWP in less than four months from the date of signing the water purchase agreement, especially in the midst of a pandemic which is causing global disruption, is testament to the financial community’s confidence in ACWA Power’s proven capabilities in delivering large-scale utility plants, and an indication of the unwavering support of our partners, including our lenders, contractors and advisers.”

Rajit Nanda, chief investment officer of ACWA Power, said: “We take this opportunity to thank SWPC and the various authorities within Saudi Arabia whose immense support and cooperation have enabled our swift progress in the project’s development.”

 “We take great pride in having broken the record for the lowest tariff for desalinated potable water, thrice in the last 3 years, including for the Jubail-3A IWP.”

The commercial operation of the plant is scheduled to begin toward the end of 2022. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the project was awarded to a consortium of SEPCOIII, Power China and Abengoa. The operations and maintenance agreement was signed with an affiliate of First National Operations and Maintenance Co. Ltd. (NOMAC). The plant is located in Jubail.


‘Giordano x Kung Fu Panda’ celebrates New Year

The collection embodies the essence of Kung Fu Panda’s martial arts poses.
Updated 14 January 2025
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‘Giordano x Kung Fu Panda’ celebrates New Year

Global apparel retailer Giordano has unveiled its “Giordano x Kung Fu Panda” collaboration series to celebrate the New Year.

This marks Giordano’s inaugural partnership with DreamWorks Animation’s beloved Kung Fu Panda franchise, harnessing the positive attributes associated with martial arts to present a vibrant and exclusive apparel collection for men, women, and children. The collection embodies the essence of Kung Fu Panda’s martial arts poses, communicating vital messages about respect, harmony, fairness, and self-reliance.

The collaboration also includes engaging in in-store activities and unique Kung Fu Panda-themed content on social media platforms.

Through initiatives like this, Giordano continues to enhance its global brand presence, advancing its growth strategy while celebrating cultural moments that resonate with its diverse audience.

Combining contemporary designs, high-quality materials, and comfortable silhouettes, the collection features bold prints that reflect the festive spirit.

Limited-edition items are available both in stores and online across key markets, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

The collection offers a variety of hoodies, T-shirts, and jackets, along with coordinated family sets that are perfect for holiday celebrations.

“As the New Year symbolizes fresh beginnings and opportunities for growth, we are delighted to collaborate with Kung Fu Panda to bring Giordano’s vision of a ‘World Without Strangers’ to life. This partnership enables us to connect with our customers in a meaningful yet enjoyable manner, while also presenting an exciting collection suitable for families,” said Ahmedullah, managing director of Giordano Saudi Arabia. “At Giordano, our objective is to seamlessly integrate creativity, quality, and inclusivity to craft memorable experiences for our shoppers.”

Colin Currie, CEO of Giordano International, added: “By enhancing our global retail operations, creating engaging store narratives, and improving product assortment availability, we have successfully achieved positive sales growth and expanded our customer base. This encouraging performance has established a solid foundation for our five-year strategic plan ‘Beyond Boundaries.’”

This collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in Giordano’s endeavor to blend style with purposeful storytelling, providing customers with an opportunity to embrace the New Year with flair.


Invest into Saudi Real Estate by downloading the Stake app

Updated 14 January 2025
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Invest into Saudi Real Estate by downloading the Stake app

 

Stake, a leading global digital real estate investment platform in the Middle East and North Africa region, is revolutionizing Saudi Arabia’s real estate market by opening its doors to international investors. Following its official launch in December, Stake has become the first platform regulated by the Capital Market Authority to enable global participation in Shariah-compliant Saudi real estate investment opportunities. This milestone marks a pivotal shift in the Kingdom’s real estate sector, aligning with Vision 2030 and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global investment hub.

Stake’s inaugural investment opportunity in the Kingdom has already attracted more than 3,500 investors from over 100 nationalities and 70+ countries, a testament to the platform’s international appeal and accessibility. 

Saudi Arabia remains the dominant country, with 46.48 percent of investors residing in the Kingdom, reflecting a strong local engagement and appetite for their home country. Overseas, there’s been a significant participation from neighboring countries such as the UAE (17.57 percent) followed by Kuwait (8.47 percent), and key international markets such as the UK (4.18 percent), and US and Canada (2.43 percent).

Along with expansive reach across these countries, the platform has attracted a wide range of nationalities. Saudi Arabia holds the most prominent share (30.95 percent), followed by Pakistan (8.39 percent), closely followed by India (7.65 percent), and Kuwait (7.48 percent). South Asian markets have a high affinity to the GCC and are eager to participate in the Saudi growth story, so the appetite Stake is witnessing comes as no surprise. 

“Saudi Arabia’s booming economy, coupled with Vision 2030’s focus on economic diversification and innovation, presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for investors around the world,” said Hanouf bin Saeed, general manager of Stake Saudi. “By bridging international capital with high-growth Saudi real estate investment opportunities, we are not just democratizing property investing — we are helping reshape the Kingdom’s global economic narrative.”

Stake’s innovative platform offers investors seamless access to curated, Shariah-compliant real estate opportunities starting from as little as SR500 ($133). Through partnerships with leading firms like Mulkia Investment Company and developers such as Al-Rajhi Seventh, Stake is building a robust pipeline of attractive residential and commercial assets.

Since its founding in 2021, Stake has built an international community of over 900,000 users spanning 206 nationalities. Backed by top-tier investors such as Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures, Mubadala Investment Company, and Al-Jomaih Holding, Stake is poised to expand its impact in Saudi Arabia and beyond.


Unlocked Sport announces strategic entry into Saudi market

Updated 13 January 2025
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Unlocked Sport announces strategic entry into Saudi market

Unlocked Sport, an Australian business with a presence in the US and Latin American markets, has announced its entry into the Saudi sports market. This move aligns with the Kingdom’s commitment to impactful commercial and investment deals that foster community development, highlighting Unlocked Sport’s dedication to leveraging sports for economic and social progress.

The global sports market is projected to reach an impressive $117.90 billion in 2025, showcasing the immense potential sports can offer economies worldwide. Unlocked Sport’s unique sports ecosystem concierge approach helps stakeholders, sports entities, businesses, and investors capitalize on the future of major sporting events globally and in Saudi Arabia over the next decade and beyond. This approach ensures all parties can maximize their potential and contribute to a thriving sports ecosystem. 

The King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, set to be a venue for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Unlocked Sport is committed to unlocking the full potential of the Saudi sports sector. (Supplied)

Jason Turnbull, chairman and CEO of Unlocked Sport, said: “At Unlocked Sport, we pride ourselves on being your ‘Sports Ecosystem Concierge,’ facilitating deeper connections between sports stakeholders and the communities they serve. Our mission is to transform ideas into scalable and impactful assets, providing comprehensive support that includes opportunity promotion, project management, and business concierge services.”

According to Turnbull, the development model and attraction strategy that Saudi Arabia is undertaking offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to globally showcase how sports can be a major driver of national and economic development. “It is exciting to see this initiative engage all generations around a unifying vision, demonstrating the power of sports to bring about positive change,” he said.

Atif Karim, COO and head of sports business at Unlocked Sport, said: “Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 presents an unparalleled operational opportunity. The Kingdom’s ambitious plans for economic diversification and community development through sports align perfectly with our mission to create impactful and sustainable sports ecosystems. We are excited to be part of this transformative journey.”

Unlocked Sport is committed to working closely with Saudi Arabian stakeholders to unlock the full potential of the sports sector, contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and beyond.


Najm inks deal with Theeb for vehicle repair services

Updated 13 January 2025
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Najm inks deal with Theeb for vehicle repair services

Najm for Insurance Services has signed an MoU with Theeb Rent a Car Company to enhance joint cooperation and improve vehicle rental and repair services. This collaboration will promote traffic safety and protect road users as well as vehicle renters.

The signing ceremony took place on Jan. 1 at the headquarters of Najm in Riyadh. The MoU was signed by Mohammed Yahya Al-Shehri, CEO of Najm, and Naif Mohammed Ahmad Al-Theeb, CEO of Theeb Rent a Car, in the presence of senior leaders from both companies.

The MoU outlines several key areas of cooperation, including vehicle repair and maintenance services through Najm’s recently launched Najm Repair Network, insurance claims management, and insurance record management, for Theeb’s vehicle fleet. Additionally, Najm will provide traffic accident management services. The MoU is also exploring joint business opportunities in vehicle services, as well as knowledge-sharing and training.

Al-Shehri said: “At Najm, we are committed to forming partnerships that extend the benefits of our innovative services and empower the insurance sector while enhancing safety on Saudi roads. For instance, the Najm Repair Network provides vehicle owners with access to high-quality repair services at centers approved by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, which are available throughout the Kingdom.”

He added: “This collaboration aligns with Najm’s strategy to innovate solutions that improve operational efficiency and enhance the quality of life and safety in our society, in line with the goals of Vision 2030. Through the Najm Repair Network, we deliver numerous benefits, including an improved customer experience after accidents, repair services for third-party insurance customers, and a guaranteed, high-quality repair process. These services not only enhance safety and reduce fraud but also manage insurance costs and increase investment in the vehicle repair sector.”

Meanwhile, CEO Al-Theeb said: “We are proud of the advancements in Najm’s services and capabilities, and we are honored to contribute to this progress. This partnership will have a direct and positive impact on enhancing traffic safety across the Kingdom.”


TDF initiatives under spotlight at Saudi Tourism Forum 2025

Updated 13 January 2025
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TDF initiatives under spotlight at Saudi Tourism Forum 2025

The Tourism Development Fund, the national enabler of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, successfully concluded its role as an official partner of this year’s Saudi Tourism Forum, held between Jan. 7-9 in Riyadh. The high-profile event brought together key players from the global and local tourism industries, including investors, sector leaders, and government representatives.

TDF Chief Executive Qusai Al-Fakhri said: “Our collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Forum has opened valuable channels for engagement with investors and partners, showcasing the vast potential of Saudi Arabia’s diverse tourism destinations. By leveraging our financial and non-financial solutions, we are committed to fostering high-impact projects that enhance tourism infrastructure, empower private-sector growth, and drive economic diversification in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

Throughout the forum, the TDF highlighted several strategic initiatives designed to accelerate investment in tourism hotspots across the Kingdom. The fund showcased its comprehensive financing solutions and strategic partnerships driving sustainable tourism development and aligning with the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy.

Adding to its dynamic presence, TDF spokesperson Khaled Al-Sharif took part in a panel discussion titled “Discover Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s Emerging Destinations: Unlocking the Potential of the Kingdom’s Growing Tourism Markets.” During the session, he underscored TDF’s commitment to supporting investments in promising regions by offering tailored, flexible financial solutions and fostering robust public-private partnerships to promote long-term tourism growth.

The TDF’s partnership with the Saudi Tourism Forum shows its unwavering dedication to developing world-class tourism destinations and unlocking the full potential of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector. 

Moving forward, the TDF remains focused on collaborating with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors to attract investments, nurture groundbreaking projects, and solidify the Kingdom’s status as a leading global tourism hub.