JEDDAH: The Islamic Development Bank Group has partnered with Turkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology to advance sustainable manufacturing and infrastructure as part of a broader push to modernize the country’s industrial zones and accelerate its green transition.

The initiative supports Turkiye’s 2053 net-zero emissions target and aligns with the 12th National Development Plan (2024–28) and the 2030 Industry and Technology Strategy.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the project aims to cluster industrial enterprises within designated zones, reducing environmental impact and promoting climate-conscious development.

While Turkiye has committed to peak emissions by 2038 and reach net zero by 2053, independent assessments question the feasibility of this goal.

Climate Action Tracker has rated the strategy as “poor,” citing a lack of ambition and transparency, and warning that the 15-year window to net zero is overly compressed.

Still, some subsectors—such as cement, iron and steel, aluminum, and fertilizers—have set clearer reduction targets, although they remain exceptions, CAT notes.

Walid Abdelwahab, director of the IsDB Group’s regional hub in Turkiye, described the project as “a vital step in fulfilling the IsDB’s commitment to supporting sustainable industrial transformation, enhancing economic resilience, and promoting climate-conscious development.”

A multidisciplinary team from IsDB’s Jeddah headquarters and Ankara office has been working closely with various government bodies and industrial zone authorities. Discussions have focused on collecting data, identifying challenges, and shaping the project in line with national investment and climate resilience goals.

According to SPA, the initiative will also address key areas such as wastewater management, improved water use efficiency, and green infrastructure, laying the groundwork for long-term sustainable industrial growth.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Panama have signed a bilateral air services agreement to enhance air connectivity between the two countries and expand access to global aviation markets.

The deal was signed during the 55th edition of the Paris Air Show by Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and establishes a regulatory framework for safe, efficient, and fair air services, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The new agreement complements the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, the legal foundation for global air travel. It includes provisions on traffic rights, airline designation, and licensing, as well as the enforcement of international safety and security standards.

It is also designed to promote fair competition and support the long-term commercial interests of national carriers in both countries.

The deal aims to serve the common economic interests of national carriers and enhance their participation in the air transport market by applying modern market-entry models and supporting all forms of air traffic, SPA reported.

It reflects the Kingdom’s broader efforts to expand its global aviation footprint in line with Vision 2030. As part of its National Aviation Strategy, the country is building international partnerships, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and increasing air connectivity to link to 250 global destinations and transport 330 million passengers annually by 2030.

“The organization’s participation aims to highlight the role of the civil aviation sector in the Kingdom as an important driver of the national economy, the promising investment opportunities it offers, and to learn more about the latest innovative global technologies in the sector,” the report added.

Saudi Arabia, represented by GACA, concluded its participation at the Paris Air Show with a wider range of strategic announcements aimed at bolstering its aviation sector. Key outcomes included a memorandum of understanding with Airbus on environmental sustainability and aviation safety, a leasing deal for 77 new aircraft by Avilease, and Riyadh Air’s order for 50 Airbus A350-1000 jets, increasing its future fleet to 182 aircraft in line with Vision 2030’s goal of positioning Riyadh as a global air hub.

The Saudi delegation was led by Saleh Al-Jasser, minister of transport and logistic services and chairman of GACA, accompanied by GACA president and senior executives from across the Kingdom’s aviation ecosystem. Their participation focused on strengthening partnerships with leading aerospace companies, attracting investment into the Saudi aviation sector, and advancing bilateral cooperation.

During the show, Al-Jasser and the delegation toured various pavilions showcasing innovations in advanced air mobility, aerospace, sustainability, and smart manufacturing.

They observed emerging solutions featuring high levels of automation and digitization across both commercial and military aircraft.

In addition to the MoU with Airbus, the show saw key commercial signings. Avilease, a Public Investment Fund-owned leasing firm, agreed to purchase 77 new-generation aircraft, including A350 freighters and A320 narrow-body jets. Riyadh Air confirmed an order for 50 A350-1000 aircraft, part of its plan to turn Riyadh into a global aviation hub.

A separate agreement was signed between Cluster 2 Airports Co. and Airbus to explore collaboration opportunities in training, development, and investment.

Al-Duailej also met with several global aviation leaders, including Damien Caze, director general of the French Civil Aviation Authority; Arjan Meijer, CEO of Embraer; and Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Sheikh Abdulla Al-Khalifa, to discuss regional cooperation.

The Kingdom’s presence at the Paris Air Show underscored its commitment to civil aviation as a driver of economic growth, innovation, and international connectivity. The event is one of the world’s most prominent in the aerospace industry, attracting thousands of participants and showcasing the latest in aviation, defense, and space technologies.