Saudi Arabia, GCC economies ‘world leading’ in green transition, says City of London’s lord mayor

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Updated 26 September 2023
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Saudi Arabia, GCC economies ‘world leading’ in green transition, says City of London’s lord mayor

  • Nicholas Lyons said: ‘I take my hat off … particularly those hydrocarbon nations who have really grasped the scale of the challenge and are really driving forward now with solutions’
  • ‘As far as the City of London is concerned, we are absolutely committed to helping do everything that we can to fund that journey to net zero as efficiently as possible,’ he added

LONDON: The efforts Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are making to transition toward cleaner, greener economies are “world leading,” the lord mayor of the City of London said on Monday.

Nicholas Lyons, who visited the Kingdom and the UAE this year and is set to visit Qatar and Bahrain next week, also said there is “fantastic energy” in the Saudi Vision 2030 agenda for reforms and diversification of the nation’s economy.

“The scale of the transition is very substantial, of course, and the hydrocarbon economies have to manage very deftly this transition away from what has been a source of huge wealth,” he told Arab News.

“But they really are, genuinely, world-leading in the moves that they’re making into renewable technologies and clean energy, and they’re investing huge amounts of money in that.”

The levels of investment being made in this regard by Gulf Cooperation Council countries not only offer the prospect of significant financial returns, Lyons said, but will be critical in driving the growth of renewable technology companies and accelerating solutions to the climate crisis.

“I take my hat off to those nations, particularly those hydrocarbon nations who have really grasped the scale of the challenge and are really driving forward now with solutions,” he said.

With the UN Climate Change Conference, COP28, set to return to the Gulf in November this year, when Dubai will host, Lyons said he was positive about the role the City of London can play in assisting countries achieve sustainable development.

“As far as the City of London is concerned, we are absolutely committed to helping do everything that we can to fund that journey to net zero as efficiently as possible,” he said.

“That’s not just a comment about how we can help in the UK but how London, as a global financial center, plays its part as a leading underwriter of green bonds and green loans, and with its expertise in insurance, risk and project management, working with countries around the world on sustainable infrastructure programs.”

Lyons, who has been lord mayor since November 2022, a role he called a “privilege” and “a dream come true,” said discussions in some countries surrounding the revision of net-zero and carbon-neutrality targets was more a case of realistic thinking rather than defeatism.

“I think it’s certainly possible to interpret some of the things that we’re hearing now as slightly backward steps,” he said. “I’d like to think rather than it being a backward step in terms of commitment, it’s just more realism in terms of the ability to deliver.

“That, I think, is particularly true where countries, in wanting to be bold and make clear statements of their intent, have set unrealistic targets in terms of timing.

“Maybe I’m being optimistic but I choose to interpret most of the comments that we’ve heard as being in that category, rather than people scaling back.”

Lyons said that much like his discussions with GCC officials in February, talks during his upcoming trip to the region will highlight both the dynamic inward investment opportunities the UK can offer and the ways in which the City of London can offer expertise to countries in the Gulf and the British firms looking to operate in the region.

“There are two big areas that tend to dominate the conversation,” he said. “One is inward investment into the UK. We have a multi-year campaign to get overseas asset owners investing more money through the UK — not necessarily in the UK, but through the UK asset-management structure. There have been very significant investments in the UK by GCC countries, which is terrific, but that’s one of the areas that we’ll talk about.

“The other is around green and sustainable finance. The two come together when it comes to investment in sort of green tech-type companies and fintech (financial technology).

“The conversation is often about how London can help that process and talking about the different strengths of London and what we could do, particularly, I think, in Gulf areas, (where) the insurance market is relatively underdeveloped and also the long-term savings market is also quite small and needs to be built up. And so there are conversations about whether or not we can encourage British firms to set up in the Gulf countries.”

The City of London published its “Vision for Economic Growth — A Roadmap to Prosperity” report this month, the preparation of which involved collaboration with more than 300 stakeholders across the financial and professional services industries over a half-year period.

The report identified the challenges and shifts facing the financial sector, from the application of artificial intelligence to cryptocurrencies, big data, and ways in which they can be addressed, Lyons said.

“With all of the strengths that London has as a global financial center, there are nevertheless seismic challenges and changes taking place in the world of finance,” he added.

“You can’t hide under a duvet and pretend they’re not coming; they may be complicated issues but you have to have a strategy around them. You have to have your regulators start to develop a regime that can manage them.”

Lyons said he also hopes a future growth fund can tap into the “huge expertise” in the UK in sectors such as fintech, green tech and biotech, and offer additional home-grown funding to what is already available from North America and the Gulf.

“These companies, at the moment, are very heavily reliant on international money, particularly North American money (and) we love the fact that we have great investment from the Gulf in these industries,” he said.

“But if we can also provide lots of UK money to sit alongside all of this foreign direct investment, those companies don’t need ultimately to go and list in the United States, where we lose the intellectual property, we lose the people and we lose the value and all of the tax revenue that comes from it.”


Saudi initiatives to secure supply chains, boost local content in the spotlight

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Saudi initiatives to secure supply chains, boost local content in the spotlight

  • Experts highlight Saudi Arabia’s innovative steps to transform various sectors of the economy

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is spearheading transformative initiatives in order to enhance innovation in procurement and supply chains across various sectors, an industry forum was told.

At the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply’s MENA Conference in Riyadh, a series of presentations and panel discussions underscored the vital importance of ensuring the security of supply chains, boosting local content, and streamlining government procurement spending in order to pave the way for a prosperous future. 

From water desalination to real estate development, the Kingdom is leveraging advanced technologies to optimize operations and drive economic growth, delegates heard.

Transforming the real estate sector

The National Housing Co. has embarked on a journey to optimize the supply chain in the Saudi real estate sector, according to the firm’s Supply Chain and Business Support General Manager Maan Al-Othimeen.

He took to the stage to outline the organization’s strategic initiatives aimed at fostering local production efficiency and supporting small and medium enterprises in order to create the infrastructure needed to support the government’s development goals in the construction sector. 

The implications of these efforts are not limited to the construction supply chain alone, rather, they translate into a foundation on which the nation will be able to build its hospitality and giga-project goals, he said.

Beyond that, by 2030, NHC aims to deliver 600,000 housing units, further catalyzing the sector’s growth and stimulating the economy.

NHC is empowering local businesses and promoting national workforce participation by introducing new initiatives, Al-Othimeen said, adding: “In promoting local production efficiency by supporting local factories we have launched Mawad, an online platform linking contractors, real estate developers, local factories and suppliers to streamline purchases, expand choices and stabilize market prices.

“In terms of financing, we offer financial solutions in partnership with government entities, banks and financial firms to encourage local businesses, including developers, contractors and factories and improve project completion in the real estate development sector. 

“We are also building technologies through awareness campaigns while supporting local service providers.”

As a testament to its success, through the Mawad platform, the company has managed to reach over $500 million in transaction values, signed 113 memorandums of understanding with local factories, and achieved average savings of 21 percent, the general manager added. 

Moreover, NHC’s collaboration with Tawteen — Saudi Arabia’s human capital localization agency — and its focus on nurturing the next generation of workforce through initiatives like Wa’ed, demonstrates the organization’s commitment to sustainable development and talent empowerment.

Al- Othimeen added: “NHC employees undergo training and factory tours in collaboration with local manufacturing products to gain insight into product lines.”

As the Kingdom continues to embark on a journey of transformation of its hospitality, tourism and real estate sectors, it will require a strong basis for its supply chains and workforce to see it through, he noted. 

“KSA’s construction sector is projected to grow at 5.8 percent between 2023 and 2030, it is projected that the construction market value will grow from SR189 billion ($50.39 billion) in 2023, to SR281 billion by 2030. By 2030, 28 percent of this figure will be represented by hospitality, while 33 percent will be residential, 24 percent will be energy and utilities, 11 percent will be infrastructure, and 4 percent will be industrial,” he said.

In order to meet the growing demand for building materials, NHC plans to establish an industrial park specialized in the manufacturing of key building materials, the general manager added.

The industrial park will be an integrated development with three asset classes: industrial, logistic and urban class. 

Government procurement

Under the framework of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the government has implemented initiatives to enhance its procurement strategy. 

Ahmed Al-Harbi, executive director of government procurement efficiency, highlighted the significant strides made in digitalization and local content development at the forum.

This work has yielded tangible results, including cost savings and improved efficiency, Al-Harbi explained, adding: “Through all these transformations, information and data that have happened over the past years, it is a journey in the Kingdom that is still ongoing. 

“It began in 2018 through the digitization of the procurement industry which was largely made possible through Etimad, which is a unified end-to-end digital platform introduced by the government to assure efficiency and transparency, serving both the government and private sector. 

“It allows for sourcing through the Etimad e-market, government travel platform, Etimad e-auction, online tenders as well as digital contracting and an online payment platform.”

Moreover, the government’s emphasis on standardizing purchasing templates, introducing new methods, and enhancing payment processes has streamlined operations and fostered transparency in government procurement, he noted.

With transformative initiatives across key sectors, the Kingdom is poised to lead the way in procurement and supply chain innovation, driving economic diversification and sustainable development, he further explained.

A key achievement throughout the journey, according to the executive director, is an improvement of cost efficiency, with more than SR20 billion in savings witnessed by adapting category management methodology. 

Local content has also been supported through 35 industry localization and knowledge transfer agreements signed by the authority and over 1,000 items added to the mandatory list of national products, he said.

There has also been an improvement in procurement efficiency and effectiveness, with 15 percent reduction in life cycle, from tender to award, and 27 percent reduction in tenders’ cancellation rate, he added.

Al- Harbi said: “In the last three years, when we first started, there was a large amount of expenditures, we spent — compared to previous years — over SR7 billion annually in procurement spending on over 3,000 projects, and we were of course supporting over 300 government initiatives.”

 He went on: “These expenses have covered over 38,000 products and services that were provided. The number of POs (procurement orders) annually was 15,000 with over 600 procuring government entities, over 180 registered suppliers and four e-platforms.” 

Revolutionizing water desalination

The Saudi Water Authority has undertaken a comprehensive digital transformation of its supply chain operations. 

Abdulrahman Al-Yousef, general manager of shared services and supply chain at SWA, highlighted the organization’s commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology.

“Since we operate in a vital sector such as water desalination, our focus has been on enhancing efficiency and reliability through digitalization,” stated Al-Yousef. 

“Through initiatives such as smart warehouses and automation, we have achieved remarkable results, including a 98 percent reduction in time and a 400 percent increase in storage efficiency,” he added.

SWA’s adoption of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things integration has revolutionized procurement processes, reducing its lifecycle by 37 percent. 

This transformation underscores the Kingdom’s dedication to ensuring accuracy and time efficiency in critical sectors.

Moreover, SWA’s continuous investment in renewable energy sources and eco-friendly technologies has positioned it as a global leader in sustainable water management. 

With 33 production systems utilizing the latest eco-friendly technology, SWA is driving environmental stewardship while meeting the Kingdom’s growing water demands with an efficient, automated supply chain.


Saudi Arabia moves to localize mining sector professions

Updated 33 min 7 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia moves to localize mining sector professions

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is on track to boost the localization of professions related to the mining sector thanks to a new agreement signed by the Human Resources Development Fund. 

Inked with the Saudi Arabian Mining Co., also known as Ma’aden, the memorandum of understanding aims to enhance cooperation and partnerships between the two parties to develop human capital in the sector, according to a statement. 

This move falls in line with the common goals of the two sides and aligns well with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in developing human capabilities and enabling them to get promising job opportunities.

It also reflects the accelerating growth of the mining sector in Saudi Arabia and globally. Under the terms of the newly signed MoU, the two sides will work to support the training and empowerment of suppliers in Ma’aden’s local content program, Tharwa, in accordance with the controls approved by the fund.

The mining firm launched Tharwa in 2022. It encompasses the company’s vision to create a wealth of resources in the Kingdom. 

The deal will also see both sides ensure that trainees receive appropriate support solutions and motivation plans.

Additionally, the agreement entails studying the possibilities for achieving sustainability in the mining and mineral wealth sector, which is vital to strengthening the national economy.

The two parties agreed to form a joint working group that includes specialists to activate areas of cooperation as well as work to prepare unified periodic reports that outline the progress in the agreed upon areas.

Ma’aden is an important figure in the field as it is the largest multi-commodity mining and metals company in the Middle East. Its manufacturing capabilities include producing phosphate fertilizers, aluminum metal, and gold.

In January, the firm secured international recognition with a certificate for producing 614,000 tonnes of ultra-low carbon ammonia, the largest quantity acknowledged globally.   

The endorsement from Det Norske Veritas at the time signified a substantial stride in Ma’aden’s plans to expand and transform its operations, aspiring to become an environmental, social, and governance role model in the Kingdom.   

This accreditation, which was received at the time, also highlighted the mining firm’s commitment to operational excellence and expanding its product range.


Closing Bell: TASI closes in green to reach 12,198 points 

Updated 16 May 2024
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Closing Bell: TASI closes in green to reach 12,198 points 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Thursday, gaining 95.24 points, or 0.79 percent, to close at 12,198.44. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR7.15 billion ($1.9 billion) as 81 stocks advanced, while 144 retreated.    

Similarly, the MSCI Tadawul Index increased by 17.75 points, or 1.17 percent, to close at 1,530.05. 

However, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu dipped by 182.13 points, or 0.68 percent, to close at 26,484.03. This comes as 21 stocks advanced, while as many as 33 retreated.  

The best-performing stock of the day was Allied Cooperative Insurance Group, with the company’s share price surging by 6.5 percent to SR21.30. 

Other top performers included ACWA Power Co. and MBC Group Co., whose share prices soared by 6.19 percent and 4.69 percent, to stand at SR459.6 and SR53.6, respectively. 

The worst performer was BinDawood Holding Co. whose share price dropped by 9.98 percent to SR8.03. 

Other subdued performers were Al-Babtain Power and Telecommunication Co. as well as Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., whose share prices dropped by 7.67 percent and 7.14 percent to stand at SR42.75 and SR0.13, respectively. 

On the announcements front, MBC Group Co. announced its interim financial results for the period ending March 31, with revenues amounting to SR1.23 million and net profits reaching SR121,28. 

The group does not have comparative figures for the current reporting period, as it was incorporated on April 20, 2023, which is subsequent to the comparative reporting period. 

BinDawood Holding Co. also announced its financial results for the same period with revenues amounting to SR1.47 billion, up from SR1.38 billion in the first three months of 2023. 

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “This growth was driven by exceptional performances from both retail brands (BinDawood and Danube) where sales for BinDawood stores increased by 8.5 percent compared to Q1 2023, while Danube stores increased by 7.1 percent compared to Q1 2023.”  

It added that the improvement in performance was fueled by enhanced preparations for the pre-Ramadan season and the ongoing success of the loyalty program. 

Its net profits also rose in this period reaching SR60.54 million, marking a 15.9 percent year-on-year increase, due to the rise in sales and gross margin. 

In another development, Qassim Cement Co.’s revenues in this period surged by 18.8 percent to SR196.41 million compared to SR174.07 million in the first quarter of 2023. This increase was attributed to the rise in sales volume as well as the increase in the average selling price. 

The company’s net profit surged to SR74.22 million compared to SR54.93 million in the corresponding period last year. The reason for the increase was attributed to the increase in sales value and volume, despite the increase in the general and administrative expenses.  

Arabian Centers Co.’s revenues saw a slight increase of 1.56 percent to SR585.8 million in the first quarter of this year, compared to SR576.8 million in the corresponding period in 2023. 

The rise was mainly attributed to a 21.9 percent increase in media sales and a 48.0 percent increase in other revenue. 

Its net profit decreased by 52.1 percent from SR388 million in the first quarter of 2023 to reach SR185.6 million in the corresponding period this year. 


GCC housing ministers discuss joint action in Qatari capital

Updated 16 May 2024
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GCC housing ministers discuss joint action in Qatari capital

RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council countries are set to have better coordination in their housing projects as top ministers met in Doha to discuss the Joint Housing Action Plan for 2024. 

Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail headed the Kingdom’s contingent at the 22nd meeting of the GCC Housing Ministers Committee in the Qatari capital, where leaders deliberated over key housing issues and made multiple decisions.  

These included the approval of the Real Estate Incentive Guide, which aims to link landowners with developers and financial entities.  

They also approved the guide for evaluating the flexibility of cities in the field of housing in GCC countries, as well as the economic framework for partnership with private institutions to encourage investment in the real estate sector. 

The meeting also announced the launch of the sixth edition of the GCC Housing Work Award under the theme “Smart Digital Applications and Technologies in Housing Projects and Programs.”  

The monetary value of the award was increased to SR375,000 ($99,987) instead of SR100,000, emphasizing the importance of ministries and relevant institutions in the Gulf countries promoting the new award cycle to expand participation. 

Ministers emphasized the importance of continued participation in regional and international activities and meetings related to accommodation to showcase the region’s efforts. 

The UAE was nominated for membership in the Executive Bureau of the Asian-Pacific Assembly and the upcoming presidency of the UN Human Settlements Programme General Assembly. Additionally, the committee highlighted the necessity of activating the mechanism for exchanging experts among GCC countries. 

Furthermore, discussions were held regarding the General Secretariat’s proposal to sign agreements with various specialized organizations serving the residency sector, including the International Federation for Housing and Planning and the International Housing Association. 

Following the meeting, the dignitaries toured the accompanying exhibition, where the ministries in the Gulf countries showcased their prominent efforts and projects through their participating pavilions. 

At the end of the tour, Qatar’s Minister of Social Development and Family Mariam Al-Misnad honored the GCC ministers.


Qassim’s private sector environment in focus during ministerial visit to region’s chamber

Updated 57 min 54 sec ago
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Qassim’s private sector environment in focus during ministerial visit to region’s chamber

RIYADH: Private sector involvement in Saudi Arabia’s Qassim region took center stage during a visit by a top investment official to the province’s chamber. 

Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih convened with investors and company leaders at the headquarters of the Qassim Chamber on May 15, where they discussed ways to enhance the regional investment environment and overcome obstacles, and also examined the role of the private sector in achieving the economic goals of Vision 2030. 

Al-Falih emphasized that the Qassim region is filled with innovative investment experiences and initiatives, such as fish farming and feed manufacturing, encouraging these contributions to serve as a blueprint for sustainable investment nationwide. 

In a post on his X account, Al-Falih shared his appreciation for the meeting with Qassim Gov. Prince Faisal bin Mishaal. He mentioned the regional governor’s directives and priorities for developing economic sectors by leveraging the region’s competitive advantages. 

The minister added that the governor shared his aspirations to address challenges encountered by investors. Also, he said both discussed the ministry’s role in advancing investment opportunities, aiding the private sector, and resolving its hurdles. 

Speaking during the chamber meeting, the minister clarified that major investment projects are dealt with through the fast-track program, which provides all necessary procedures to facilitate the project’s initiation and implementation. The program guarantees new investors to have their investment licenses processed within five days. 

Meanwhile, the meeting addressed the needs and requirements for fostering an optimal investment environment, aiming to surmount barriers to economic activities. Additionally, discussions centered on offering incentives essential for attracting increased capital to the region. 

The gathering also highlighted the crucial role of the private and entrepreneurial sectors in driving and maintaining commercial and economic activities in the region. It explored their impact on Vision 2030 goals, stressing the need for government-private sector partnerships to establish more investment entities and support nationwide incubators. 

On the other hand, Abdulaziz Al-Humaid, chairman of the chamber, emphasized that Al-Falih’s involvement underscores his dedication to monitoring and meeting the requirements of the private sector. 

He further noted that the minister’s ongoing endeavors to cultivate investment opportunities and foster favorable economic conditions align with the goals of Vision 2030, particularly in establishing a robust and sustainable investment environment. 

The gathering was attended by the chairmen of the Onaiza and Al-Ras chambers, Khalid Al-Saikhan and Fayez Al-Shuwaily, respectively, as well as members of the Qassim Chamber’s board along with senior officials from the Ministry of Investment.