Saudi Arabia, Bahrain sign MoUs to boost transportation cooperation

An MoU signed by Saudi Transport Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser and Bahraini Minister of Works Ebrahim Bin Hasan Al Hawaj.
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Updated 25 March 2024
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Saudi Arabia, Bahrain sign MoUs to boost transportation cooperation

  • MoUs outline enhanced collaboration in the future of transportation and road maintenance sectors

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Bahrain signed two memorandums of understanding to strengthen their partnership in transportation and logistics, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The agreements also outline enhanced collaboration in the road maintenance sector. 

The MoUs focus on a range of cooperative efforts, including the exchange of expertise, the organization of training programs and seminars, and the pursuit of joint research and development initiatives. 

They were signed in Manama by Saudi Transport Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Bahraini Transport Minister Mohamed bin Thamer Al-Kaabi and Minister of Works Ebrahim Bin Hasan Al-Hawaj. 

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are continuously exploring partnership opportunities across various sectors. Earlier this month, the two nations discussed potential collaborations in social housing and urban planning sectors during a high-level meeting. 

The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Bahrain Smart Cities Summit 2024 held in the country’s capital, Manama, with Saudi Deputy Minister for Urban Planning and Lands Fahad Al-Mutlaq in attendance, along with Bahrain’s Minister of Housing and Urban Planning Amna Al-Rumaih.  

The discussions encompassed several topics, including the establishment of a joint technical committee to develop planning solutions for residential neighborhoods and the exchange of professional expertise and experiences, aiming to enhance opportunities for collaboration, SPA reported earlier this month. 

The private sectors of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are poised for growth following the signing of a cooperation and investment agreement between the sovereign wealth funds of the two countries.   

In a joint statement at the beginning of March, the Public Investment Fund and Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Co. announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding.  

The agreement aims to enhance the partnership between the two entities and facilitate new and promising financing opportunities in Bahrain. 

The MoU presents various advantages for PIF and its portfolio companies, providing investment opportunities to strengthen the Saudi sovereign wealth fund’s presence in Bahrain. 

Additionally, it will facilitate the creation of new prospects for the private sectors of both countries, according to a statement released last week. 

In October last year, the minister of transport and logistics revealed that the Kingdom is set to invest SR1.6 trillion ($426.72 billion) through partnerships with the private sector and various countries. 


Saudi Steel Pipe Co.’s net profit up 6.1% to $51.19m 

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Saudi Steel Pipe Co.’s net profit up 6.1% to $51.19m 

RIYADH: Saudi Steel Pipe Co. reported a net profit of SR192 million ($51.19 million) in 2025, representing a 6.08 percent increase compared to the previous year. 

In a Tadawul statement, the company attributed the rise in net profit to land settlement compensation amounting to SR54 million, lower finance charges, and reduced borrowings. 

Despite reporting higher net profit, the company’s overall revenue declined by 13.37 percent year on year to SR1.41 billion. 

Its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization stood at SR340 million in 2025, compared with SR388 million in the previous year. 

The performance of Saudi steel companies listed on the Tadawul in 2025 reflected strong demand driven by Vision 2030 gigaprojects, even as broader market conditions remained challenging, with the Basic Materials sector declining about 11 percent over the year, according to Argaam data. 

In a statement, SSP stated: “As a result of the profitability recorded and effective working capital management, SSP recorded a positive free cash flow of SR325 million in financial year 2025 (which excludes the aggregate land settlement amount), compared to a negative free cash flow of SR5 million in FY2024.” 

The company’s net debt decreased to SR34 million at the end of 2025, compared with SR363 million a year earlier, despite total dividends distributed during the 2025 financial year amounting to SR200 million. 

In January, SSP reported that its subsidiary, Global Pipe Co., signed a contract worth SR300 million with Subsea 7 Saudi Arabia for the supply of line pipe for an offshore redevelopment project. 

The contract, signed on Jan. 28, is valid for 11 months, according to a Tadawul statement. 

SSP added that no related parties are involved in the deal, and the financial impact of the contract is expected to be reflected in the fourth quarter of 2026. 

While steel demand remained elevated due to large-scale developments such as Neom and ROSHN, companies across the sector faced margin pressures stemming from raw material price volatility and rising competition, industry analysis by Custom Market Insights showed. 

Earlier this month, Al Yamamah Steel Industries Co. reported that its net profit for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2025 reached SR37.61 million, marking a 719.03 percent increase compared with the same period of the previous financial year. 

The company attributed the rise in net profit to higher sales volumes and increased sales value in the renewable energy and power segments. 

In September, Molan Steel Co. revealed that its net loss widened to SR2.8 million in the first half of 2025, compared with a loss of SR2.5 million recorded in the same period of 2024. 

Riyadh Steel Co., in September, disclosed that its net profit stood at SR2.45 million over the first six months of 2025, representing an annual decline of 3.2 percent.

Despite this, the Saudi pipes market, valued at $3.28 billion in 2024, is poised for robust growth, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 5.50 percent from 2025 to 2034, reaching $5.61 billion by the end of the forecast period, according to Research and Markets. 

The growth is primarily driven by increasing demand for insulated and durable pipes, largely due to the expansion of district cooling systems in urban developments, creating opportunities for suppliers of specialized pipe materials and technologies.