Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Green Hydrogen Company closes deals on $8.4bn green hydrogen plant

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) signed financial documents with 23 local, regional and international banks and investment firms on a green hydrogen production facility. (Supplied)
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) signed financial documents with 23 local, regional and international banks and investment firms on a green hydrogen production facility. (Supplied)
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Updated 23 May 2023
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Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Green Hydrogen Company closes deals on $8.4bn green hydrogen plant

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Green Hydrogen Company closes deals on $8.4bn green hydrogen plant

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) signed financial documents with 23 local, regional and international banks and investment firms on a green hydrogen production facility at a total investment value of $8.4 billion on Monday.

The plant is currently being built at Oxagon, in Saudi Arabia’s region of NEOM.

The National Development Fund (NDF) will contribute to financing the world's largest green hydrogen project, through its supervised entities: The Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) and the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF), along with local and international banks.

NDF aims to align Saudi Arabia’s development with Saudi Arabia’s transition to Vision 2030 and Net Zero by 2060, part of the Kingdom’s vision for a cleaner and greener future.

In assisting with the transformation of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030, the NDF will inject more than SAR570 billion ($152 billion) to push the private sector and increase its contribution to GDP from 40 percent to 65 percent, and triple the contribution of non-oil exports to non-oil GDP from 16 percent to 50 percent.

NGHC, a joint venture between ACWA Power, Air Products and NEOM, will produce 600 tons a day of carbon-free hydrogen by the end of 2026 using 4 GW of solar energy, the statement said.

The company also said it concluded a $6.7 billion agreement with Air Products for the plant’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), securing an exclusive 30-year off-take agreement with Air Products for all the green ammonia it will produce.

* With Reuters


OIC plans cooperation framework on contract farming among members   

OIC plans cooperation framework on contract farming among members   
Updated 10 sec ago
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OIC plans cooperation framework on contract farming among members   

OIC plans cooperation framework on contract farming among members   

RIYADH: A new framework to help boost food security across the Muslim world will be unveiled at the next meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, set to be held in 2025, it has been announced.

The OIC confirmed the move at its latest gathering in Doha on Tuesday, as it called for a new business model entered on contract farming for its member nations.    

This initiative is expected to be in the spotlight at the next OIC ministerial conference due to in the capital of Chad in 2025, with the exact date yet to be announced.  


Monsha’at, E-Commerce Council organize tour to promote online trade 

Monsha’at, E-Commerce Council organize tour to promote online trade 
Updated 03 October 2023
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Monsha’at, E-Commerce Council organize tour to promote online trade 

Monsha’at, E-Commerce Council organize tour to promote online trade 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia can expect a considerable penetration of online trading as the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, or Monsha’at, organized the third phase of its tour with the E-Commerce Council on Monday. 

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the tour concludes on Wednesday and has witnessed the participation of service providers and e-commerce specialists. 

The tour included discussions on developing an environment conducive to developing e-commerce in the Kingdom and the platform's role in various government sectors, including transportation, rural and municipal affairs, housing and SMEs. 


Saudi Arabia dispatches first crude iron shipment to US

Saudi Arabia dispatches first crude iron shipment to US
Updated 03 October 2023
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Saudi Arabia dispatches first crude iron shipment to US

Saudi Arabia dispatches first crude iron shipment to US

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has strengthened its position in global supply chains after a ship loaded with 37,000 tons of crude iron set sail from the Port of Jazan City to New Orleans, US.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, this product marks a significant milestone as it is the first to be manufactured within the region, produced at the Advanced Smelting Industries Co. factory in Jazan.

Crude iron, also known as pig iron, is a more brittle form of the material and is used in steel production.

Traditionally recognized for its vast oil reserves, the Gulf nation has been proactively pursuing economic diversification, as outlined in Vision 2030.

The successful production and export of crude iron are crucial steps toward achieving this goal.

The Port of Jazan City boasts extensive capabilities and advanced logistical transportation services, solidifying its status as a pivotal trade hub in Saudi Arabia.

Positioned as one of the region’s most modern ports, it lies along the international trade route through the Red Sea, in close proximity to the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, various African nations, and the maritime Silk Road.

Consequently, this port is a crucial gateway for the southern regions and neighboring countries.


Saudi SWCC signs 5 agreements to localize the water industry

Saudi SWCC signs 5 agreements to localize the water industry
Updated 03 October 2023
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Saudi SWCC signs 5 agreements to localize the water industry

Saudi SWCC signs 5 agreements to localize the water industry

RIYADH: Amid efforts to localize the water industry and support advances and innovative technologies, Saudi government firm Saline Water Conversion Corp. has inked five deals with prominent organizations and companies.

During the second session of the Innovation Driven Desalination Conference 2023 in Jeddah, two agreements were signed with the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, also known as Monsha’at, and University of Tabuk.

The remaining three deals were in agreement with software firm UiPath, design and manufacturer Fluid Equipment Development Co., and American chemicals corporation Dow, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Oman’s total foreign assets rise 27.4% to $17.82bn

Oman’s total foreign assets rise 27.4% to $17.82bn
Updated 03 October 2023
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Oman’s total foreign assets rise 27.4% to $17.82bn

Oman’s total foreign assets rise 27.4% to $17.82bn

RIYADH: The total foreign assets of the Central Bank of Oman increased 27.4 percent year on year to 6.86 billion Omani riyals ($17.82 billion) by the end of July, according to its statistics authority. 

The National Center for Statistics and Information also reported an annual increase of 4.9 percent in local liquidity by the end of July. 

While reporting the figures, Oman News Agency found that private sector deposits in commercial banks and Islamic windows were 18.17 billion riyals by the end of July, up 6.5 percent compared to the year-ago period. 

An Islamic window is a section of a conventional bank offering Shariah-compatible products and services. 

The state-run agency further reported that total loans and financing in commercial banks and Islamic windows grew 8.7 percent year on year to 30.27 billion riyals. 

On Sunday, S&P Global Ratings upgraded Oman’s long-term credit rating from “BB” to “BB+.” 

The report by S&P Global underscores a transformation in Oman’s non-oil sector, which promises substantial growth in the years ahead, particularly between 2023 and 2026. 

“Oman’s economy depends on the oil sector, which accounts for about 30 percent of GDP (gross domestic product), 60 percent of goods exports, and 70 percent of government fiscal receipts. This dependence weighs on our assessment of its fiscal and external resilience, and we reflect this in the rating,” said S&P Global in the report. 

The report also touched upon the banking sector, which witnessed a marked boost in credit balance, registering a growth of 5.3 percent in July compared to the same month the previous year.  

Meanwhile, in September, NCSI data revealed that Oman’s gross domestic product registered a 9.5 percent decline in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year, driven by a decrease in oil activities. 

GDP at current prices fell to 10.08 billion rials in the second quarter compared to the 11.14 billion rials recorded during the same period of the previous year. 

Moreover, the GDP at current prices for the first half of 2023 experienced a 2.4 percent decline, reaching 20.39 billion rials compared to the same period last year.