PIF-backed Lucid Motors gets permit to operate manufacturing unit in KAEC

A ceremony was organized at the authority’s offices in KAEC to mark the development, according to an official press release. Photo/Supplied
A ceremony was organized at the authority’s offices in KAEC to mark the development, according to an official press release. Photo/Supplied
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Updated 21 September 2023
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PIF-backed Lucid Motors gets permit to operate manufacturing unit in KAEC

PIF-backed Lucid Motors gets permit to operate manufacturing unit in KAEC

RIYADH: In a significant move toward economic diversification and revolutionizing the national transportation landscape, the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority has granted Lucid Motors a permit to operate a manufacturing unit in King Abdullah Economic City.

A ceremony was organized at the authority’s offices in KAEC to mark the development, according to an official press release.

Lucid Motors, backed by the Public Investment Fund, is delivering its first factory outside the US, which will make up half of the Kingdom’s plan to produce 300,000 vehicles annually by 2030.

The megacity has a ready-built residential infrastructure for the future employees of Lucid Motors, which includes schools and recreational and entertainment avenues.

The city has also heavily invested in sustainability which could be a destination of choice for companies conscious of their environmental commitments.

Commenting on the development, ECZA Secretary-General Nabil Khojah said: “The establishment of a world-class e-vehicle manufacturing unit at KAEC SEZ in a short time frame demonstrates the efficiency, capabilities, and strengths of the special economic zones in the Kingdom.”

He said it is also a testament to the Kingdom’s environment conducive to business activities. “Today, we take a step toward

creating a futuristic transportation landscape while reducing emissions and promoting clean and sustainable mobility.”

Faisal Sultan, Lucid vice president, and Middle East managing director, said: “As the Kingdom’s first-ever e-vehicle manufacturing facility and Lucid’s first international plant, the facility will pave the way and set the standard for the automotive industry and provide the Saudi Arabian market with game-changing, advanced Saudi-assembled e-vehicles. As we collectively work toward Vision 2030 and a more sustainable and diversified economy, we look forward to attracting, training, and retaining a brand-new workforce of automotive professionals.”

The EV manufacturer aims to export 85 percent of its production outside the Kingdom, benefiting from the city’s port located on the Red Sea.

Cyril Piaia, CEO of Emaar, The Economic City – master developer of KAEC, said: “We are very confident that Lucid will play a major role in helping us to achieve our goal of becoming the automotive capital of the region and will also have a positive impact on the local economy, creating jobs, promoting technological advancements, and attracting new investments to KAEC.”

The state-of-the-art facility spans an expanse of over 1.35 million sq. meters, occupying about 31 percent of the total area of the KAEC SEZ’s auto hub, a designated area allocated for the automotive industry.


Startup Wrap – Saudi Arabia’s venture landscape receives influx of expanding startups

Startup Wrap – Saudi Arabia’s venture landscape receives influx of expanding startups
Updated 03 December 2023
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Startup Wrap – Saudi Arabia’s venture landscape receives influx of expanding startups

Startup Wrap – Saudi Arabia’s venture landscape receives influx of expanding startups

CAIRO: Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial space is getting bigger with more startups raising funding and others expanding into the Kingdom.

On the funding announcement front, Saudi-based business-to-business e-commerce startup Retailo has successfully raised $15 million in a new equity funding round, drawing the attention of both new and returning investors.  

The investor lineup includes Yusuf Bin Kanoo Group, Technology Group, and Majd Digital, alongside previous backers including Aujan Group Holdings, Shorooq Partners, Abercross Holdings, and Graphene Ventures, among others. 

Co-founded in 2020 by Talha Ansari, Wahaj Ahmed, and Mohammad Nowkhaiz, Retailo offers a next-day delivery service for retailers and restaurants, boasting a catalog of over 5,000 stock-keeping units.  

This recent capital infusion marks another significant milestone for the company, following its $36 million series A funding last year, which was a combination of equity and venture debt. 

Retailo’s growth strategy focuses on expanding both its supplier network and customer base. The fresh funds are earmarked to support this expansion within the Saudi market, reinforcing the company’s position as a key player in the region’s e-commerce landscape. 

Adding to its achievements, Retailo has also established several strategic partnerships, including a technology distribution collaboration with Dtonic, a South Korean data solution company.  

This alliance will empower Retailo’s technology by enhancing its service offerings and operational efficiency. 

UAE’s fintech Yabi raises $8m to boost Saudi expansion 

UAE-based fintech startup Yabi has secured an $8 million equity funding round, signifying a major step in its journey towards Saudi expansion and product development.  

The round saw the participation of Al Wafra Al Thanya, joining an array of existing investors in supporting Yabi’s growth. 

This milestone follows closely on the heels of Yabi’s recent foray into the Saudi market, marking an expansion beyond its UAE base.  

Since its launch in the middle of this year, Yabi has been aiming to enhance financial literacy across regional markets. It achieves this through strategic B2B partnerships, integrating its services into employee well-being programs offered by corporate clients. 

Founded by Ambareen Musa, Yabi has rapidly established a client portfolio including prominent entities like Al-Futtaim, Careem, Chalhoub, and Al Ghurair.  

The fresh injection of capital will be instrumental in fueling Yabi’s continued growth. It plans to invest significantly in product development, aiming to bring financial solutions to a broader audience. 

Additionally, the funds will bolster Yabi’s efforts in accelerating its expansion across the Middle East, as it seeks to establish a stronger foothold in key regional markets. 

Oman’s food technology firm KitchenomiKs raises $1.8m to enter Saudi market 

Oman-based food technology startup KitchenomiKs has successfully raised $1.8 million in a pre-series A funding round as it aims to expand its regional footprint. 

Founded by Aankush Bhatia, Aju Samuel, and Shrikanth Shenoy, KitchenomiKs operates as a cloud kitchen with a modern culinary model that steers away from traditional physical storefronts.  

The company currently holds a portfolio of 12 food brands, offering a scalable model for culinary ventures without the burdensome overheads associated with physical restaurant spaces. 

The latest round of funding represents a crucial step in KitchenomiKs’ ambitious growth strategy. A key focus of this strategic plan is the launch of operations in Saudi Arabia, slated for early 2024.  

This significant financial boost, contributed by Omani and regional investors, has elevated the company's total funding to an impressive $3.5 million since its inception in 2022. 

UAE-based Immensa raises $20m to boost product development 

UAE-based Immensa has successfully secured $20 million in its series B equity funding round led by Global Ventures. 

The funding round also saw participation from new investors such as Endeavor Catalyst Fund and EDGO, alongside continued support from Energy Capital Group, Shorooq Partners, and Green Coast Investments. 

Founded in 2016 by Fahmi Al-Shawwa, Immensa specializes in providing on-demand access to spare parts, eliminating the need for mass manufacturing in traditional hubs like Southeast Asia, China, or Latin America.  

This approach not only streamlines the production process but also significantly reduces the lead time and costs associated with traditional manufacturing methods. 

The latest round of funding is poised to turbocharge Immensa’s global growth ambitions. Part of the funds will be allocated to enhance its exclusive software, DIS RT, a critical component in Immensa’s operational toolkit.  

Moreover, the investment will also be channeled towards augmenting its artificial intelligence tools, further solidifying the company’s position in the manufacturing sector. 

UAE’s Flow48 raises $25m in pre-series A round 

Flow48, a UAE-based fintech startup, has successfully secured $25 million in pre-series A funding round in a blend of equity and debt. 

Key investors include Speedinvest, Daphni, and 212, as well as Blockchain Founders Fund, Unpopular Ventures, and Endeavor Catalyst.

Founded in 2022 by Idriss Al Rifai, Flow48 provides services to small and medium-sized enterprises by transforming future revenues of SMEs into immediate capital, offering flexible terms that are tailored to support the growth and scalability of these businesses.  

The freshly acquired funds are earmarked to propel Flow48’s ambitious expansion plans, with a specific focus on penetrating the South African market.  

Egyptian startups receive $10k grants from She’s Next competition 

Three Egyptian startups have emerged as top contenders in the second edition of the She’s Next competition, jointly hosted by Visa and Commercial International Bank. 

Each startup has been awarded $10,000 for their solutions in their respective fields. The winners include Green Fashion, a sustainable clothing brand, Reme-D, a health tech startup, and Fincart, an aggregator of shipping services.  

Alongside the monetary prize, the competition also offered mentorship opportunities provided by the US Agency for International Development to the top 20 contestants.  

Tunisia’s Winshot raises six-figure round from 216 capital 

The Tunisia-originated and France-based software-as-a-service startup Winshot has successfully secured a six-figure investment from 216 Capital.  

Established in 2022 by Walid Mzoughi, Alaa Mokrani, Amjed Bouhouch, and Hela Gabsi, Winshot specializes in providing B2B SaaS solutions for retail operations management.  

With this fresh infusion of capital, Winshot is set to bolster its teams in both France and Tunisia, laying a strong foundation for the expansion and growth of its business. 

Middle East Venture Capital Association signs partnerships with Singapore’s GPCA 

The Global Private Capital Association and the Middle East Venture Capital Association announced a significant strategic partnership during Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2023.  

This collaboration will enable GPCA, headquartered in New York and Singapore, to establish a permanent base in the Middle East. This move will be supported by MEVCA and the broader Abu Dhabi and regional ecosystem. 

Members of MEVCA will benefit from an enhanced membership experience, gaining access to GPCA’s extensive global network. 

The partnership focuses on collaboration, innovation, and investment to strengthen the region’s vibrant venture capital landscape through a range of targeted initiatives. 


COP28: 50 oil and gas companies sign charter to accelerate climate action in industrial sector

COP28: 50 oil and gas companies sign charter to accelerate climate action in industrial sector
Updated 03 December 2023
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COP28: 50 oil and gas companies sign charter to accelerate climate action in industrial sector

COP28: 50 oil and gas companies sign charter to accelerate climate action in industrial sector
  • National Oil Companies represented over 60 percent of signatories, the largest-ever number of NOCs to commit to a decarbonisation initiative
  • Signatories have committed to net-zero operations by 2050, ending routine flaring by 2030, and near-zero upstream methane emissions

COP28 Presidency and Saudi Arabia launched the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC), a global industry charter aimed at speeding up climate action across the oil and gas sectors.

Officials said 50 oil and gas companies, representing more than 40 percent of global oil production, have signed the charter, reported Emirates News Agency (WAM).

National Oil Companies represented over 60 percent of signatories, the largest-ever number of NOCs to commit to a decarbonisation initiative.

Signatories have committed to net-zero operations by 2050, ending routine flaring by 2030, and near-zero upstream methane emissions.

In a WAM statement, COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al-Jaber said, “The launch of the charter is a great first step - and whilst many national oil companies have adopted net-zero 2050 targets for the first time, I know that they and others, can and need to do more. We need the entire industry to keep 1.5C within reach and set even stronger ambitions for decarbonisation.”

Under the charter, oil and gas companies also agreed to continue to work towards industry best practices in emission reductions. Some of the key actions they agreed to take included: investing in renewables, low-carbon fuels and negative emissions technologies; reducing energy poverty; and providing secure and affordable energy to support the development of all economies.

Signatories will also work on increasing alignment with broader industry best practices to accelerate decarbonisation of operations and reduce emissions by 2030.

Al-Jaber added that the charter recognized that climate change is “a collective challenge that requires strong and focused action from producers and consumers of energy, fundamental changes across society and the energy sector, as well as international collaboration, to advance the energy transition and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas.”


He stressed that a clear plan is needed to focus efforts on the right direction. “If we want to accelerate progress across the climate agenda, we must bring everyone in to be accountable and responsible for climate action. We must all focus on reducing emissions and apply a positive can-do vision to drive climate action and get everyone to take action.”


The charter was a key initiative under the Global Decarbonisation Accelerator (GDA), which was launched at the COP28 World Climate Action Summit.


US-Saudi Business Council to hold conference in New Orleans

US-Saudi Business Council to hold conference in New Orleans
Updated 02 December 2023
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US-Saudi Business Council to hold conference in New Orleans

US-Saudi Business Council to hold conference in New Orleans
  • Event will promote business opportunities for US companies in Kingdom

RIYADH: A conference to promote economic opportunities for American firms in Saudi Arabia will be held in New Orleans on Monday.
Organized by the US-Saudi Business Council and Texas-based law firm KN Legal, the event will feature speakers from Saudi Aramco, the US Export Assistance Center in New Orleans and the Lafayette Economic Development Commission, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The presentations will provide valuable information and support to companies interested in entering the Saudi market or expanding their businesses there.
The Kingdom offers opportunities in the oil and gas industry as well as megaprojects linked to the Saudi Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.
“The conference will highlight the efforts of the Saudi leadership in encouraging international participation in this fast-moving economy, such as economic, trade and regulatory reforms to improve the transparency and predictability of the Saudi business environment,” the report said.


Saudi Arabia’s leadership in global clean energy advocacy stressed at COP28 

Saudi Arabia’s leadership in global clean energy advocacy stressed at COP28 
Updated 03 December 2023
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Saudi Arabia’s leadership in global clean energy advocacy stressed at COP28 

Saudi Arabia’s leadership in global clean energy advocacy stressed at COP28 

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia is poised to take a leadership role in global forums, leveraging its presence in the G20 and the Clean Energy Ministerial to spotlight regional knowledge and environmental concerns on the world stage, according to a senior executive.   

During the UN Climate Change Conference, COP28, in Dubai, Jean-François Gagne, head of the secretariat at the Clean Energy Ministerial, emphasized the significance of regional harmonization in advancing climate change ambitions.    

“Saudi Arabia has the advantage of being at the G20 table, allowing it to play a leadership role in bringing regional knowledge and environmental concerns to the international table. This is crucial because we need all regions of the world to move forward together,” Gagne told Arab News.     

He added: “When you have regional champions, it really helps making sure that there’s no one that gets left behind in terms of advancing our clean energy goals.”    

Gagne also explained two ways in which regional collaboration can help accelerate ambitions related to climate change. The first involves creating higher demands for common products and technologies.  

“We know there’s going to be a need for brand-new technologies to be able to be deployed more broadly. When you have industry and governments working together in terms of defining what these new technologies will be, you need to be able to show that there will be enough demand for the investment in terms of bringing these new technologies forward,” he said.  

The second involves reducing the costs associated with deploying these technologies.  

“Making sure that the markets between different countries don’t create hurdles to the deployment is going to be important. Regional harmonization plays a significant role in bringing down the cost of deploying those technologies. This, in turn, makes it much easier for policymakers to increase their climate ambition because they know that the technologies will be there at a cost that is reasonable,” he continued.  

Underscoring the importance of harmonization and collaboration, Gagne explained ways in which the private sector could engage more with the public sector.   

“First of all, they need to make sure that when they look at these questions, they don’t look only at their own individual companies’ benefits, but they look at this in terms of a sectoral approach to finding the right solutions,” he said.  

Gagne added: “The second, they can engage in dialogue with governments in terms of what are the real feasible opportunities for governments to drive the demand for these new technologies.”   

During a session discussing the crucial role of regional coordination, Steve Kukoda, vice president and executive director at the International Copper Association, stated that collaboration is crucial to advancing ambition.   

“Regional harmonization really is critical to accelerating actual ambition, and we talked about the first cost barrier. This is a way to bring the cost down, but on multiple levels,” Kukoda said.   

He added: “If you manufacture an air conditioner, you now can sell the same product in 10 countries. You don’t have to have different types of the same air conditioner just to meet the standards of individual countries. So that increases the scale of production and brings down costs.”   

As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030’s prominent projects, Richard Bush, chief environment officer at NEOM, underlined the giga-project’s mission, as articulated by the chairman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The mission is straightforward: to construct the world’s first sustainable and highly livable city.   

“Every city we’ve built has created an unreasonable impact on the environment and an unacceptable level of pollution. And what I’d like to say about this project is that it’s completely transformed,” Bush said.   

He added: “The way we think we’re going to design, live, and function into the future. There is nothing we do on a daily basis that resembles anything we’ve experienced before.”


Global leaders call for binding agreements, increased renewable energy investments at COP28 

Global leaders call for binding agreements, increased renewable energy investments at COP28 
Updated 02 December 2023
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Global leaders call for binding agreements, increased renewable energy investments at COP28 

Global leaders call for binding agreements, increased renewable energy investments at COP28 

DUBAI: The call for a significant increase in renewable energy investments resonated strongly on the third day of COP28, with various leaders advocating for a binding agreement at the Dubai event.     

In the High-Level Segment National Statements, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz outlined a tripartite proposal to reinforce the gathering’s recurring themes.     

“I propose three initiatives today. Firstly, making renewable energy expansion a top global energy policy priority. Here in Dubai, let’s set two binding goals, tripling renewable energy expansion and doubling energy efficiency by 2030,” Scholz stated.    

“My second point addresses international collaboration. We require platforms for developing collective solutions to transformation challenges.”      

He added: “Thirdly, I wish to discuss solidarity and responsibility. In 2022, Germany exceeded its goal of providing €6 billion ($6.5 billion) annually for international climate finance.”     

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store also highlighted his country’s commitment to the event’s ambitious renewable energy targets.     

On the other hand, Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir reaffirmed her nation’s dedication to advancing global energy transition.     

“We must drastically reduce emissions. Accelerating the green energy transition, scaling up green solutions, enhancing nature-based solutions, and ensuring polluters pay are essential. However, we also need to reduce our focus on maximizing production and consumption, shifting toward sustainability and well-being,” Jakobsdottir remarked.     

Other leaders underscored the critical need for financial support to assist developing countries in their transition efforts.     

“The world must honor its financial pledges. In 2022, the IMF (International Monetary Fund) reported $7 trillion spent on fossil fuel subsidies, yet the global commitment to the Paris Agreement’s $100 billion annual target remains challenging,” stated Mark Brown, prime minister of Cook Islands.     

Liberia’s President George Weah also emphasized the importance of improved global financing mechanisms, highlighting the country’s need for support to strengthen its climate action initiatives.     

Additionally, leaders from developing countries have called out other nations’ commitments to lack of action.  

“The Paris Agreement was a beacon of hope, a promise made by the world to safeguard our planet and its inhabitants. However, the reality falls shorter than the commitments made, and the burden of climate action continues to disproportionately fall on the shoulders of developing nations despite our minimal contribution to the crisis while the big polluters do their best to lecture us but not to stop themselves,” Edi Rama, prime minister of Albania, said.  

Eswatini’s Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini further stressed these points, stating “The commitments made remain just words. Fossil fuels remain high, much against the initial plans.”  

“In Eswatini, trucks are queuing in large numbers in borders carrying hundreds of tons of coal in transit to the developed world. While this continues, the use of nature-based mitigation is being promoted. With such practices, reaching net zero by 2050 will be impossible and developing countries should not be made to pay through the use of carbon markets,” he added.  

Despite some nations being short of their commitments, the US has continued to demonstrate action with the announcement of a new pledge to the global climate fund.  

“Today, I’m proud to announce a new $3 billion pledge to the green climate fund, which helps developing countries invest in resilience, clean energy, and nature-based solutions,” said Kamala Harris, US vice president.  

She added: “Today, we are demonstrating in action how the world can and must meet this crisis. This is a pivotal moment, our action collectively, or worse our inaction, will impact millions of people for decades to come.”   

Moreover, global leaders have also laid out their accomplishments as well as future strategies for combating climate change.     

“We have cut our coal use by over 80 percent. We are growing our economy at a much faster pace than the eurozone average while reducing emissions. In total, our emissions are down by 43 percent from 2005 as we turn to renewable energy, the best performance among European countries,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis, prime minister of Greece, said.     

“Burundi has committed via the Nationally Determined Contributions to protect the environment, to strengthen resilience toward climate change, and to boost food security. This is infused in our national policies and our vision for Burundi. An emerging country by 2040, and a developed country by 2060,” Evariste Ndayishimiye, president of Burundi, said.