Saudi firm WAJA Co. forms joint venture to produce EVs in Egypt 

Saudi firm WAJA Co. forms joint venture to produce EVs in Egypt 
The deal, inked with the Egypt-based military firm Arab Organization for Industrialization, aims to meet the needs of the local market and facilitate exports abroad. Shutterstock
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Updated 21 April 2024
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Saudi firm WAJA Co. forms joint venture to produce EVs in Egypt 

Saudi firm WAJA Co. forms joint venture to produce EVs in Egypt 

RIYADH: Saudi multi-sector firm WAJA Co., is set to establish a joint firm in Egypt to produce and manufacture electric vehicles, after signing a framework cooperation agreement.

The deal, inked with the Egypt-based military organization Arab Organization for Industrialization, meets the needs of the local market and exports abroad, according to the company’s statement to Tadawul.

In October 2023, Egypt was ranked 28th in a global e-mobility index, which reveals the country’s readiness to transition to EVs, Egypt Today newspaper reported, citing US consulting firm Arthur D. Little.

According to a report by the investment management firm Goldman Sachs, EVs could constitute nearly half, or 50 percent, of global car sales by 2035. This projection holds true despite the challenges faced by the sector, including competing market dynamics. 

Additionally, analysts predict that within five years following that date, a similar proportion of car sales will consist of more advanced autonomous or partially autonomous vehicles. 

Saudi Arabia has set a goal to transition 30 percent of all vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030. This target is part of a larger strategy to reduce emissions in the capital city by 50 percent, aligning with the country’s objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. 

In January of this year, research firm Mordor Intelligence predicted that the Middle East and Africa automotive EV market size will be estimated at $3.33 billion in 2024 and will reach $9.42 billion by 2029. This sector is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 23.2 percent during the forecast period from 2024 to 2029. 

Governments in the region are increasingly emphasizing the promotion of eco-friendly vehicles and raising awareness about energy storage solutions within the renewable sector. These efforts are anticipated to stimulate growth in the market for EVs and related technologies in the foreseeable future. 

Faisal Sultan, vice president and managing director of Lucid Middle East, told Arab News in an earlier inteview that while the industry is still in its early stages of development, significant expansion is anticipated in the future, driven by a growing appetite among customers in the region for the best eco-conscious automobiles. 

“We are already on a path for electric vehicles to become a part of our daily lives, and Lucid is eliminating the most common barriers of ownership, including price, performance, and driving range,” Sultan said. 

EVs are appealing for their futuristic design, but one concern that potential buyers may consider is the need for more infrastructure to support these vehicles. 

In 2024, research firm Canalys predicts that the global EV market will grow by 27.1 percent, reaching 17.5 million units. 

As forecasts indicate exponential growth of the EV market, eco-conscious modes of transportation are no longer merely ambitions. The sector is rapidly evolving into a cornerstone of our lives, driving the nation toward a tomorrow that prioritizes sustainability and environmental responsibility.


Saudi airline flynas expands African reach with new routes to Uganda and Djibouti

Saudi airline flynas expands African reach with new routes to Uganda and Djibouti
Updated 4 sec ago
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Saudi airline flynas expands African reach with new routes to Uganda and Djibouti

Saudi airline flynas expands African reach with new routes to Uganda and Djibouti

JEDDAH: Saudi budget airline flynas will add two new African destinations to its network starting in January 2025, aligning with its broader expansion strategy across the continent. 

Beginning Jan. 8, the airline will operate three weekly flights from Riyadh to Entebbe, Uganda, and the same number from Jeddah to Djibouti, according to the airline’s statement. 

The expansion is part of the airline’s “We Connect the World to the Kingdom” initiative and supports Saudi Arabia’s National Civil Aviation Strategy, which aims to expand connectivity to 250 international destinations and reach 330 million passengers. 

The routes to Entebbe and Djibouti also align with Saudi Arabia’s goal of welcoming 150 million tourists annually by 2030 and advancing the Pilgrims Experience Program, which seeks to streamline travel access to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. 

The airline’s new routes to Uganda and Djibouti mark additional steps in its effort to grow its international network, offering more accessible travel for passengers across the region. 

This announcement follows flynas’s recent increase in domestic seat capacity by over 480,000 on routes to Taif, Abha, and Al-Baha during the summer, marking a 21 percent rise from the previous year. 

The airline has also expanded its fleet with the arrival of its 53rd A320neo in July as part of its ongoing order of 120 Airbus aircraft. 

The new model airplane arrived at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, reinforcing flynas’s position as a prominent low-cost airline in the Middle East and ranking among the top four globally. 

During the UK’s Farnborough International Airshow in July, flynas signed a deal to double its fleet, with plans to purchase 160 additional Airbus planes, including 30 wide-body A330neos and 130 A320s. 

CEO and Managing Director Bander Al-Mohanna described the agreement as a key step toward establishing flynas as a leading global low-cost carrier. 

Since its inception in 2007, flynas has grown to serve over 70 domestic and international destinations, with 1,500 weekly flights and more than 80 million passengers flown to date. 


Saudi Arabia’s Q3 budget deficit decreases to $8bn

Saudi Arabia’s Q3 budget deficit decreases to $8bn
Updated 2 min 14 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s Q3 budget deficit decreases to $8bn

Saudi Arabia’s Q3 budget deficit decreases to $8bn

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia reported a budget deficit of SR30.23 billion ($8.06 billion) for the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 15 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Finance.

This brings the total deficit for the nine months ending in September to SR57.96 billion, remaining in line with the ministry's previous forecasts.

Government revenues increased by 20 percent compared to the same quarter last year, reaching SR309.21 billion. Expenditures also rose, up 15 percent to SR339.44 billion, resulting in a budget deficit of SR30.23 billion.

Oil revenues constituted 62 percent of total government income, amounting to SR190.87 billion — a 30 percent increase during the period, according to the Ministry. Non-oil revenues represented the remaining 38 percent, totaling SR118.34 billion, reflecting a 6 percent rise.

Within the non-oil revenue sector, taxes on goods and services accounted for 62 percent, reaching SR73.94 billion, which signifies a 5 percent increase during this period.

The most notable growth occurred in “other taxes,” which surged by 69 percent to reach SR5.31 billion. The ministry indicated that these primarily include taxes paid by businesses, such as corporate zakat, along with other unspecified taxes.

Compensation for employees accounted for the largest share of government expenses, representing 41 percent at SR138.63 billion, reflecting a 6 percent increase during this period.

Expenditures on goods and services made up 24 percent, totaling SR82.69 billion, with a year-on-year rise of 15 percent.

Capital expenditures on non-financial assets constituted 14 percent, reaching SR48.15 billion, marking a 17 percent increase. Notably, subsidies grew significantly, rising by 10 percent to reach SR7.44 billion.

According to ministry data, the government's current account balance surged by 429 percent during this period, reaching SR76.7 billion.

In contrast, government reserves declined by 4 percent to SR390.08 billion. Additionally, public debt at the end of the third quarter totaled SR1.16 trillion, with 60 percent of this amount representing domestic debt.


Pakistan central bank cuts key rate by 250 bps to 15%

Pakistan central bank cuts key rate by 250 bps to 15%
Updated 04 November 2024
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Pakistan central bank cuts key rate by 250 bps to 15%

Pakistan central bank cuts key rate by 250 bps to 15%
  • Monday’s move follows cuts of 150 bps in June, 100 in July and 200 in September
  • It takes the total policy rate cuts in the country to 700 bps in under five months

KARACHI: Pakistan’s central bank cut its key policy rate by 250 basis points to 15 percent on Monday, it said in a statement, for a fourth straight reduction since June, as the country keeps up efforts to revive a sluggish economy with inflation easing.
Most respondents in a Reuters poll last week expected a cut of 200 bps after inflation moved down sharply from a multi-decade high of nearly 40 percent in May 2023, saying reductions were needed to bolster growth.
Average consumer price index inflation in the South Asian country is 8.7 percent in the current financial year, which started in July, the statistics bureau says. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects inflation to average 9.5 percent for the year ending June.
Monday’s move follows cuts of 150 bps in June, 100 bps in July, and 200 in September that have taken the rate from an all-time high of 22 percent, set in June 2023 and left unchanged for a year. It takes the total cuts to 700 bps in under five months.
October inflation came in at 7.2 percent, slightly above the government’s expectation of 6 percent to 7 percent. The finance ministry expects inflation to slow further to 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent in November.
However, inflation could pick up again in 2025, driven by electricity and gas price increases after a new $7-billion IMF bailout, and the potential impact of taxes on the retail, wholesale and the farm sector announced in the June budget to take effect in January 2025, some analysts say.
 


Mobily partners with Telecom Egypt to launch 1st Saudi submarine cable

Mobily partners with Telecom Egypt to launch 1st Saudi submarine cable
Updated 04 November 2024
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Mobily partners with Telecom Egypt to launch 1st Saudi submarine cable

Mobily partners with Telecom Egypt to launch 1st Saudi submarine cable

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications company, Mobily, has entered into a cooperation agreement with Telecom Egypt to establish the first Saudi-owned subsea cable connecting the two nations across the Red Sea.

The agreement includes the installation of the subsea cable, which will be fully owned by Mobily, with landing stations in Duba, Saudi Arabia, and Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, as stated by Mobily on X.

This cable will serve as a link between Asia and Africa, creating a route to Europe by connecting Saudi Arabia with Egypt.

It will enhance connectivity options for Gulf countries and neighboring regions through Mobily’s digital network, integrating with Egyptian landing stations in the Mediterranean.

Additionally, it will provide new routes to improve service reliability and meet customer needs within the Kingdom and beyond.

“The new cable represents a significant milestone in strengthening Saudi Arabia's position as a leading international hub for telecommunications services and data traffic, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030,” said Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Badran, CEO of Mobily.

He added: “The signing of the agreement underscores our commitment to expanding our infrastructure and enhancing our capabilities both regionally and internationally, as Mobily’s new cable will connect Saudi Arabia to Egypt and improve communication flexibility between the Middle East and Europe.”

This agreement aligns with Mobily’s strategy to bolster its infrastructure and network capabilities. Building on its previous investments in subsea cables that connect global regions, the new cable will expand Mobily’s international reach and capacity.

“Complementing the newly established landing station in Sharm El-Sheikh, we are developing new crossing routes to connect Sharm El-Sheikh to the Mediterranean Sea,” stated Mohamed Nasr, managing director and CEO of Telecom Egypt.

He further said: “We are confident that this commercial agreement will be a valuable addition to our ongoing efforts to support this critical sector and cater to the rising demand for capacity and connectivity.”

By increasing capacity and expanding its global reach through new collaborations, Mobily is dedicated to enhancing its subsea network infrastructure both domestically and internationally.

“I am pleased with our cooperation with Telecom Egypt, which will enable us to offer the best services to all our customers around the world,” Al-Badran noted.

“Telecom Egypt is dedicated to advancing the international telecommunications infrastructure by enhancing the geographical diversity of the global subsea cable networks,” Nasr added.

This commitment aims to provide cutting-edge digital solutions to customers and support the sustainable growth of the Kingdom’s ICT sector through advanced infrastructure.


Saudi Arabia, Turkiye sign 10 cooperation agreements at business forum in Istanbul 

Saudi Arabia, Turkiye sign 10 cooperation agreements at business forum in Istanbul 
Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia, Turkiye sign 10 cooperation agreements at business forum in Istanbul 

Saudi Arabia, Turkiye sign 10 cooperation agreements at business forum in Istanbul 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Turkiye deepened commercial ties by signing 10 cooperation agreements at an event in Istanbul, advancing strategic initiatives across diverse sectors.   

The Saudi-Turkish Business Forum spotlighted opportunities for joint ventures in agriculture, food, and tourism, along with potential collaborations in advanced manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure. Other key areas included technology, innovation, and logistics, the Saudi Press Agency reported.   

Organized by the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkiye, the event attracted over 450 companies and several government agencies from both nations.   

This comes as the trade volume between Riyadh and Ankara reached SR25.4 billion ($6.76 billion) in 2023, marking a 15.5 percent growth. Saudi exports to Turkiye represented SR15.6 billion, while Turkish imports to the Kingdom accounted for SR9.8 billion.    

Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat said: “Turkiye aims to raise the volume of its bilateral trade with the Kingdom to $30 billion in the medium and long term, and diversify its fields, especially tourism, health, infrastructure, information technology, and the defense industry.”    

The minister praised the strong bilateral relationship, the quality of Turkish products, and the success of the country’s services sector, encouraging mutual benefit from these strengths. He also highlighted the Kingdom’s transformations across sectors such as mining, health, technology, and communications.   

“Today in Istanbul, I met with my brother, His Excellency the Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat, and we discussed strengthening relations and expanding trade partnerships for the good and interest of the two brotherly countries,” Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi said in a post on X.     

Fayez Al-Shaili, vice president of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, noted a qualitative shift in Saudi-Turkish relations. He stated that the establishment of the business council has played a critical role in enhancing economic relations, positioning the Kingdom among Turkiye’s eight largest trading partners. 

The number of Saudi companies operating in Turkiye has surged from 11 in 2011 to over 1,400 in 2023, with total investments reaching SR18 billion, according to Al-Shaili. 

Sami Al-Osaimi, chairman of the Saudi-Turkish Business Council, highlighted that around 390 Turkish companies are now investing in the Saudi market, with the council targeting a trade exchange volume of $10 billion in the short term. 

The forum showcased investment prospects for Turkish investors within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in tourism infrastructure, industrial zones, healthcare, digital services, and energy. 

Additionally, the business council met on the sidelines of the forum to discuss plans, initiatives, and the government support needed to address challenges faced by investors from both countries.