Sindalah showcases Saudi Arabia’s investment potential, says commentator Ali Shihabi

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Updated 04 November 2024
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Sindalah showcases Saudi Arabia’s investment potential, says commentator Ali Shihabi

  • Likens Kingdom’s approach to giga-projects to that of venture capitalist following launch of NEOM’s new tourism destination

DUBAI: Sindalah Island, NEOM’s new luxury tourism destination under construction on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, represents a critical milestone in the Kingdom’s economic transformation and proves many of its early doubters wrong, Saudi commentator Ali Shihabi has said.

Appearing on Arab News’ current affairs program “Frankly Speaking,” Shihabi highlighted the significance of Sindalah, saying its launch marked an important shift in global perceptions of the Kingdom as a holiday destination and as an investment opportunity.

“The launch of Sindalah was very, very important because you needed proof of a concept on the ground to show what can be done,” he said.

“For people to come and see it and feel it and enjoy it and experience it” validates the vision that Saudi Arabia has for NEOM and similar projects.

Sindalah Island, which will feature world-class yachting, luxury hotels and a golf club, could soon rival the likes of Monaco or Greece as a global destination. It is the latest in a bevy of megaprojects under construction across the Kingdom as part of the Vision 2030 transformation.




Sindalah Island is the latest in a bevy of megaprojects under construction across the Kingdom as part of the Vision 2030 transformation. (NEOM photo)

This transformation is already drawing the interest of major investors. Shihabi mentioned a recent conversation with an Indian investor planning to establish a $15 billion steel plant in the Kingdom, describing it as an “exciting opportunity” that showcases the nation’s appeal to foreign investors.

“​​His group will be investing a billion dollars in equity,” Shihabi told “Frankly Speaking” host Katie Jensen. “And he was very excited about the potential, the structure of incentives that are given to foreign investors, whether industrial investors, whether it’s the SIDF (Saudi Industrial Development Fund), or other facilities that the Saudi government makes available for foreign investors, and the good size domestic market also for different products.”

In Shihabi’s view, the Saudi government’s approach to giga-projects like NEOM is akin to that of a venture capitalist. The government has taken on the financial risk of building and launching these projects to attract global investors.

“It was a theoretical opportunity and you needed the Kingdom to be the venture capitalist really: to build the first models, even if those are loss leaders, because you needed a proof of concept on the ground,” he said.




Ali Shihabi, an author and commentator on the politics and economics of Saudi Arabia, speaks with Frankly Speaking host Katie Jensen. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

Shihabi said Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline, largely untouched by mass tourism, is “one of the last, if not the last, unspoiled virgin territory of exquisite seafront.”

By acting as an initial investor, the government aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a legitimate luxury destination and to cultivate demand among global tourists.

While Shihabi acknowledged that it will take time for Saudi Arabia to fully emerge as a tourism hub, he is confident that the foundation stones are in place. “Putting Saudi Arabia on the tourist mindset and map is going to take a number of years,” he said.

However, the momentum of these projects and Saudi Arabia’s investments in infrastructure, marketing, and partnerships are advancing the Kingdom’s vision to create an attractive and competitive tourism sector in the region.

“It will take time for tourists to get used to the concept of coming to the Kingdom as a tourist destination,” said Shihabi. “But I think that the foundation stones are being put in place successfully.”

The recent annual conference of the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, commonly referred to as “Davos in the desert,” showcased the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a significant player on the global stage.

Shihabi, who is both an author and commentator on the politics and economics of Saudi Arabia, acknowledged that FII plays a valuable role in promoting the Kingdom’s image and helping international investors understand the scale and seriousness of Vision 2030.




Ali Shihabi is an author and commentator on the politics and economics of Saudi Arabia. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

With the launch of projects like Sindalah and explosion of opportunities in NEOM, Saudi Arabia is gradually redefining its reputation on the world stage. However, Shihabi said changing global perceptions will require time and continued openness.

“The Kingdom has never been good at communication,” he said. “One of the deep structural problems the Kingdom had was it was closed off to the world. And the big change has been the opening up of the Kingdom to the world now.

“I encourage Western journalists, always, just to take a tourist visa, get on the plane and go and see things the way they are and the way they are developing and changing. And I can hardly think of a journalist who, having made the effort, has not changed his opinion of the Kingdom from what he had before he came to the Kingdom.

“The story really is a good one to be told on the ground and much easier to be told on the ground than to be explained in theory abroad. And there are a lot of skeptics; there are a lot of cynics.

“There’s a certain amount, I guess you can say, in the world of … I don’t want to exaggerate and use the word racism, but sort of prejudice toward Arabs and Muslims, which carries over to the Kingdom, prejudice against oil wealth. And a lot of historical baggage that the Kingdom has carried, which continues to affect its image.

“But I think that the more we open up the country and the more we allow people to come in and the more we allow people to see the changes on the ground, the better the image becomes.”
 


British Airways reverses plan to axe Bahrain flights amid outcry

Updated 9 sec ago
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British Airways reverses plan to axe Bahrain flights amid outcry

  • Ex-UK defense secretary: Cancelation would have sent ‘totally the wrong message’
  • Decision to scrap Kuwait route remains ‘under review’

LONDON: British Airways has reversed a decision to scrap direct flights to Bahrain following a backlash, the Daily Mail reported.

However, flights to nearby Kuwait are still set to be suspended in March as part of previous plans aimed at tackling financially unviable flights at the airline.

Earlier this month, the Mail reported that BA had planned to cancel the Bahrain and Kuwait routes after almost a century of service.

The Gulf states have long had close ties to Britain, and the decision reportedly angered officials in Manama. Airline staff who served on the two routes were also set to lose their jobs.

Though the Kuwait route axing remains “under review,” the initial decision to cancel the Bahrain route would have sent “totally the wrong message” about the UK’s diplomatic stance toward the Gulf region, former Defense Secretary Liam Fox told the Mail.

Thousands of residents in Bahrain with close ties to the UK launched a petition demanding that the route remain available.

Bahrain hosts a Royal Navy base at Mina Salman Port, and the country has long had close commercial and trade ties with the UK.

BA said in a statement: “Following discussions with our partners and stakeholders, we can confirm we will operate a service between London Heathrow and Bahrain International Airport three times a week from the start of the summer 2025 season. This will increase to a daily service from the start of the Winter 2025 season.”

BA’s predecessor Imperial Airways first launched flights to Bahrain in 1971.

Manama became a key financial hub in the Gulf partly due to the presence of London-based Standard Chartered, which set up the country’s first bank in 1920.

Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, the Mumtalakat, owns McLaren, the UK luxury automotive manufacturer.

The fund plans to expand its British holdings through a series of investments, the Mail reported earlier this year.

The UK is also negotiating a free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Bahrain and Kuwait.

The six GCC countries combined represent the UK’s fourth-largest export market after the US, the EU and China.

Mohamed Yousif Al-Binfalah, chief of the Bahrain Airport Co., said: “We are delighted to witness British Airways continue operations at Bahrain International Airport.

“As the oldest airline operating out of Bahrain for over 92 years, the enduring partnership with British Airways is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence.”


Saudi GDP to receive $3bn boost after raft of deals at Local Content Forum

Updated 39 min 15 sec ago
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Saudi GDP to receive $3bn boost after raft of deals at Local Content Forum

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia launched initiatives and signed 15 agreements at the Local Content Forum, boosting domestic industries with an estimated SR12.4 billion ($3.3 billion) impact on gross domestic product. 

The deals, signed on the first day of the three-day event in Riyadh, span multiple strategic sectors, including manufacturing, technology, and transportation. 

The Local Content and Government Procurement Authority launched several initiatives aimed at driving the localization of key industries, aligning with broader economic goals. 

The agreements include partnerships designed to localize manufacturing, transfer knowledge, and foster innovation, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Key deals included:  

  • Two agreements with Saudi National Automotive Manufacturing Co. to localize and transfer knowledge for multi-purpose vehicles and light transport vehicles. 
  • Five agreements with NAFFCO for the localization of firefighting products, including dry powder extinguishers, trailer-mounted pumps, complete personal breathing devices, various types of fire extinguishers, and fire hoses. 
  • Agreements with Alfanar and Hewlett Packard Enterprise to localize and transfer knowledge for data center servers. 
  • A deal with InnovEra to localize manufacturing and knowledge transfer of directional devices. 
  • An agreement with Al-Salah Arabia to localize the manufacturing of bridge expansion joints. 
  • A partnership with Saffen Co. for the localization of oxygen sensor production. 
  • A deal with SAJA Pharmaceutical Co. for the production of “Empagliflozin.” 
  • An agreement with Coastal Co. to localize stadium seat manufacturing. 

Wattenha program 

Sadara Chemical Co. launched its “Wattenha” program, highlighting its contribution to Saudi Arabia’s localization efforts. The program aims to support domestic suppliers, develop human capital, and enhance manufacturing capabilities. 

In the first half of 2024, Sadara reported a local content rate of 50.25 percent, surpassing industry benchmarks, with SR3 billion spent on Saudi procurement.

Locally manufactured products made up 43 percent of its offerings, and Saudization reached 77.8 percent, according to a press release. 

A notable achievement is Sadara’s pipeline system connecting its facilities to the PlasChem complex, which supplies critical raw materials like ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, reducing costs and reliance on imports. 

Logistics and transportation 

Saudi Arabia Railways, in partnership with LCGPA, launched a SR15 billion Saudization program in the sector. This initiative, unveiled by Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser, aims to localize manufacturing, boost operational efficiency, and create up to 3,000 jobs by 2030. 

The minister emphasized that this program reflects the partnership between SAR and the private sector, in collaboration with the LCGPA, according to SPA. 

Automotive manufacturing 

The forum also highlighted the Kingdom’s plans for the automotive industry, including the goal to produce 500,000 vehicles annually by 2030. 

Ongoing negotiations with Hyundai underline Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a hub for automobile manufacturing. 

The Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, valued at SR100 billion, is driving 95 strategic projects, with a focus on value chain development and export promotion. Additionally, three automotive manufacturing complexes were announced, furthering the localization of this critical sector. 

Diverse initiatives 

The forum featured discussions on the future of local content in industries such as agriculture, energy, and industrial services. Programs introduced by the LCGPA aim to reduce reliance on imports, enhance local supply chain resilience, and foster innovation. 

The “Golden Category” of the Made in Saudi program was also launched, aimed at integrating local suppliers into global supply chains and highlighting Saudi-made products on the world stage. 

The initiative, overseen by the Saudi Export Development Authority, promotes local products and supports exports. 

Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih emphasized that local content is a crucial driver of the economy, impacting key industries such as energy, industry, and tourism, among others. 

He highlighted that achieving growth targets requires a highly competitive investment climate, with the private sector playing a vital role in boosting the Kingdom’s exports while meeting the demands of its growing economy. 

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef further emphasized the importance of locally produced products that offer high quality and competitive advantages as a key requirement for achieving local content goals and maximizing its economic impact. 

During his remarks at the forum, Alkhorayef stated that local content is one of the central pillars for achieving Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as its development directly influences the execution of the initiative’s programs. 

Alkhorayef also discussed the significant role of the private sector in advancing local content development, noting that the LCGPA implements local content through fostering strategic partnerships and facilitating the Local Content Coordination Council. 

This council includes several major national companies, which have worked closely with the authority to increase local content in their operations and procurements.


Saudi’s Hail region welcomes over 1.1m tourists in H1

Updated 21 November 2024
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Saudi’s Hail region welcomes over 1.1m tourists in H1

  • Licensed hospitality facilities in Hail now offer around 2,600 rooms

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Hail region welcomed over 1.1 million tourists in the first half of 2024, including 170,000 international visitors, reflecting the Kingdom’s growing appeal as a travel hub.

The Ministry of Tourism reported that over 907,000 visitors were domestic travelers, showcasing the region’s popularity among residents.

Licensed hospitality facilities in Hail now offer around 2,600 rooms, meeting growing demand.

The surge aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to enhance tourism infrastructure and attract global travelers to the Kingdom.


Saudi entertainment sector to create 450,000 jobs by 2030: Investment ministry

Updated 21 November 2024
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Saudi entertainment sector to create 450,000 jobs by 2030: Investment ministry

  • Kingdom issued 34 investment licenses in the entertainment industry in the third quarter of the year
  • It also hosted 26,000 events in the past five years, attracting over 75 million attendees

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector is expected to create 450,000 jobs and could contribute 4.2 percent of the country’s gross domestic product by 2030, according to a new report. 

In its latest release, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Investment said that Saudi Arabia issued 34 investment licenses in the entertainment industry in the third quarter of the year, representing a rise of 13 percent compared to the previous three months. 

The ministry added that the total number of investment licenses issued in the entertainment sector from 2020 until the end of the third quarter reached 303. 

“In line with Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its economy and enhance the quality of life by promoting tourism and Saudi culture internationally to attract visitors. The entertainment sector is a crucial pillar in achieving these ambitious goals, focusing on enhancing the quality of life through various cultural and entertainment activities,” said the Ministry of Investment. 

The rapid progress of the entertainment sector aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, which are to reduce the country’s decades-long dependence on crude revenues. 

In 2016, Saudi Arabia established the General Entertainment Authority to boost the entertainment and leisure industry. Since then, the Kingdom has witnessed notable developments, including reopening cinema halls in 2018.

According to the report, Saudi Arabia issued 2,189 licenses in the entertainment sector over the past five years. 

The Kingdom also hosted 26,000 events in the past five years, attracting over 75 million attendees. 

The ministry added that the growing entertainment sector is also catalyzing the growth of the tourism sector in the Kingdom. 

The report said that the number of inbound tourists in the entertainment industry reached 6.2 million in 2023, representing a rise of 153.3 percent compared to 2022. 

Inbound tourist spending in the entertainment industry reached SR4 billion ($1.07 billion) in 2023, a 29.03 percent rise from the previous year. 

“The entertainment sector is a vital and dynamic part of the Kingdom, acting as a catalyst for the tourism sector. By hosting various events and activities, it boosts tourism and attracts visitors, resulting in higher tourism spending and strengthening the local economy,” said the Ministry of Investment.

In 2023, the entertainment sector attracted 35 million local tourists, up 17 percent compared to 2022. 
Local tourists’ spending in 2023 was SR4.7 million, representing a marginal decline of 8.5 percent from the previous year. 


IMF mission concludes visit to Egypt for the 4th review of loan program

Updated 21 November 2024
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IMF mission concludes visit to Egypt for the 4th review of loan program

CAIRO: The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday that its mission had concluded a visit to Egypt and made substantial progress on policy discussions toward the completion of the fourth review of IMF loan program.

The review, which could unlock more than $1.2 billion in financing, is the fourth under Egypt’s latest 46-month IMF loan program that was approved in 2022 and expanded to $8 billion this year after an economic crisis marked by high inflation and severe foreign currency shortages.

The IMF also said that Egypt “has implemented key reforms to preserve macroeconomic stability,” including the unification of the exchange rate that eased imports, with its central bank reiterating its commitment to sustain a flexible exchange rate regime.

Earlier on Wednesday, Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Cairo has asked the IMF to modify the targets for the program not only for this year, but for its full duration, he added without giving more details.

“Discussions will continue over the coming days to finalize agreement on the remaining policies and reforms that could support the completion of the fourth review,” the IMF added in its statement.