Gov’t vows action to resolve investors’ challenges in industrial estates

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration Tawfiq Kreishan on Saturday called for resolving all issues related King Abdullah II and Muwaqqar industrial estates that are home to 505 investment companies, providing 19,600 jobs.

The prime minister after his visit to Mafraq Governorate, 80km northeast of Amman, has decided to form a ministerial committee to be tasked with visiting economic institutions and meeting investors to address the obstacles that face them, Kreishan said during the committee members’ visit to the two industrial estates.

The minister stressed that work is in progress to solve the problems facing businesses at King Abdullah II and Muwaqqar industrial estates, calling on investors who have problems to head to the office of the prosecutor general to file complaints. He stressed that Jordan is a state of law and all complaints will be dealt in a firm manner.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Ali highlighted the government efforts towards resolving investment-related issues, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Highlighting the noise, air pollution and emissions, Environment Minister Nabil Masarweh emphasised the necessity of using tanks, as a temporary alternative to transporting waste water to the designated destinations, as well as reducing the number of days for studying the environmental impact to 10 instead of 15 days.

For his part, Labour Minister Yousef Shamali said that all labour-related problems have been solved, according to Petra.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Hala Zawati expressed the government’s keenness on reducing the cost of electricity.

President of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry Fathi Al Jaghbir emphasised the importance of instilling the principle of reciprocity with regard to exports and imports, as Jordan faces difficulties in exporting to a number of countries, stressing that the problem is not only restricted to the cost of production but also access to markets.

Source:https://www.jiec.com/en/news/149/

Ministerial follow-up committee checks on Al Hassan Industrial Estate, Irbid Development Zone

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The ministerial committee for following up on the performance of the free and development zones on Saturday checked on Al Hassan Industrial Estate (HIE) and Irbid Development Zone (IDZ).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration Tawfiq Kreishan during his meeting with a number of investors at the HIE and the IDZ, said that the visit is meant to keep an eye on the situation at the two places and the services provided for stakeholders.

Notes from investors’ will be shared with Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh so that the appropriate decisions can be taken by the Cabinet, Kreishan said.

Most noted challenges are associated with bureaucracy and need for stability in laws and regulations, notably those concerning customs, taxes, environment, labour and industry-related issues, Kreishan added, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Regarding investors’ demands for allowing the recruitment of foreign workers, Kreishan said that this issue is related to the epidemiological and health situations in their home countries.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Al Ali said that the ministry, in cooperation with the Jordan Chamber of Industry, Jordan Commission of Investment and the Industrial Estates Company, is moving towards easing licensing-related procedures for businesses within the HIE and the IDZ.

Government tenders will give preference to local products, Ali said in response to complaints from local investors about unfair competition by imports.

Environment Minister Nabil Masarweh emphasised the reduction of the period required to conduct the environmental impact study by the authorities to be 10 days instead of 15.

Minister of Labour Yousef Shamali stressed that priority is given to Jordanians for administrative posts, pointing out that once granted Jordanian citizenship, investors are treated like Jordanians with regard to exit and entry requirements.

President of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry Fathi Al Jaghbir emphasised the importance of instilling the principle of reciprocity with regard to exports and imports, as Jordan faces difficulties in exporting to a number of countries.

Jordan Industrial Estates Company (JIEC) Director General Omar Juwaid said that the HIE, which was established in 1991, is home for 132 industrial investments at a total volume surpassing JD427 million. Juwaid added that the HIE provides more than 29,000 jobs, in addition to indirectly employing thousands of Jordanians in support and logistical services.

CEO of the Guarantee Company for Development of Development Zones Loay Sarayreh indicated that IDZ is home for many technical and technological investments at a volume of JD44 million, adding that the IDZ provides 1,445 jobs for Jordanians. Sarayreh noted that 15,000 job opportunities will be made available after the completion of the comprehensive expansion plan, according to Petra.

Source:https://www.jiec.com/en/news/151/

Saudi Arabia, 20 years after 9/11: ‘A country in the making’

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The Saudi Arabia of today is far different from the Saudi Arabia of Sept. 11, 2001.

All but four of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 were Saudi citizens, and the Saudi kingdom was the birthplace of Osama bin Laden, the head of al-Qaida and mastermind of the attack 20 years ago. In the two decades since then, Saudi Arabia has confronted al-Qaida on its own soil, revamped its textbooks, worked to curb terror financing andpartnered with the United States to counter terrorism.

It wasn’t until the last five years, though, that the kingdom began backing away from the religious ideology upon which it was founded and which it espoused within and outside its borders — Wahhabism, a strict interpretation of Islam that helped spawn generations of mujahedeen.

For countless numbers of people in the United States, Saudi Arabia will forever be associated with 9/11, the collapse of the World Trade Towers and the deaths of nearly 3,000 people.

To this day, victims’ families are trying to hold the Saudi government accountable in New York and have pushed President Joe Biden to declassify certain documents related to the attacks, despite Saudi government insistence that any allegation of complicity is “categorically false.” Victims of a 2019 shootin at a Florida military base and their families are also suing Saudi Arabia for monetary damages, claiming the kingdom knew the Saudi Air Force officer had been radicalized and could have prevented the killings.

Saudi Arabia’s close partnership with the United States, including the presence of American troops in the kingdom after the first Gulf War, made its leadership a target of extremist groups.

“It is important to realize that the terrorists who struck the U.S. on September 11 have also targeted Saudi Arabia’s people, leadership, military personnel and even our holiest religious sites in Mecca and Medina on multiple occasions,” Fahad Nazer, the Saudi Embassy spokesperson in Washington, told The Associated Press. He said Saudi-U.S. counterterrorism work has saved thousands of lives.

source:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabia-20-years-after-9/11-a-country-in-the-making/articleshow/86113876.cms

Saudi economy grows 1.8% in Q2 but non-oil sector loses steam

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Saudi Arabia’s economy posted a 1.8% annual growth in the second quarter, according to official gross domestic product (GDP) estimates, but the non-oil sector of the world’s largest oil exporter lost steam.

The figures, published on Monday by the General Authority for Statistics, revised upwards earlier estimates of a 1.5% overall growth in the second quarter, but they also revised non-oil growth to 8.4% from an earlier 10.1%.

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the Saudi economy grew 0.6% compared to the first three months of the year, with the oil sector fuelling the growth.

Saudi Arabia was hit hard last year by the twin shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and record-low oil prices. The economy has rebounded this year, however, amid easing coronavirus-related restrictions, a vaccine roll-out and higher crude prices.

The GDP segment comprising wholesale and retail trade, restaurants and hotels, grew 16.9% in Q2 compared to the same quarter last year, although declining slightly when compared to the first three months of this year.

The pent-up demand that boosted the rebound was expected to lose some steam, economists have said.

“Preliminary GDP data for 2Q2021 released in August points to some moderation in the pace of sequential non-oil GDP growth. This normalisation is to be expected as the boost to activity from the initial reopening of the economy, trapped spending and pent-up demand wanes,” Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said in a note last week.

A domestic investment programme led by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign investor, is expected to be the main driver of economic growth going forward, she said.

London-based Capital Economics has said the recovery in the non-oil sector has lost momentum in recent months, as opposed to the oil sector, which strengthened due to increased output.

“With OPEC+ agreeing … to raise oil output further, this will mechanically support stronger GDP growth and more than offset the easing of activity in the non-oil sector,” it said in a note last week.

source:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/saudi-arabia/saudi-economy-grows-1-8-in-q2-but-non-oil-sector-loses-steam/articleshow/86162233.cms

Dubai’s DAE inks $900m agreement to sell 16 aircraft

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Dubai Aerospace Enterprise says three deals include sale of Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, A330, and A350 family aircraft

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Ltd announced on Wednesday that its leasing division DAE Capital has signed three agreements to sell 16 aircraft with a total market value of approximately $900 million.

The aircraft covered by these agreements include Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, A330, and A350 family aircraft, have an average age of two years and are currently on lease to 11 airlines in 11 countries, the company said in a statement.

Firoz Tarapore, CEO of DAE, said: “This divestment activity will help us optimize our portfolio composition and monetize some of our recent larger-scale investments. This transaction does not impact our total number of customers.

“Proceeds will be used to pay down debt and reinvested to support our ambitious growth plans. Proactively managing our portfolio through active trading is a critical component of our long-term portfolio strategy and it is important for us to remain relevant in all segments of the secondary market for aircraft sales.”

These agreements are expected to close in the second half of 2018, he added.

Last week, DAE announced that it had signed a landmark unsecured four-year revolving credit facility with an initial commitment of $480 million which could be increased to up to $800 million.

The facility included both conventional and Islamic tranches and will support the future financing needs of the business.

Source:http://www.arabianbusiness.com/transport/397881-dubais-dae-inks-900m-agreement-to-sell-16-aircraft

Uber to invest indefinitely in Middle East market, says Harford

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Uber’s chief operating officer Barney Harford said the company will increase its investment in key growth markets like the Middle East, which might include a bid for Dubai-based Careem, its rival in the region.

The US-based ride-hailing firm recently sold its South-East Asia business to Singapore-based rival Grab and now has “resources available that are allowing us to double down in critical competitive markets in particular India and the Middle East North Africa”, Harford told CNBC television.

Responding to CNBC question about the possibility of acquiring Careem – its rival in the Middle East – Harford said that the company has ruled out “transactions for minority stakes.”

“We’ve been very clear about is that going forward we have no interest in doing transactions for minority stakes,” he told the broadcaster.

“It would be crazy for us as a hypergrowth company to not engage in conversations about potential partnerships

“But we’ve been very clear, the markets that we remain in today are core markets for us.

“We’re doubling down on our investment and we’re very committed to these markets,” he added.

Harford said that the situation in the Middle East with Careem “is very different” to Southeast Asia, where Uber got a 27.5 percent stake in Grab – valued at roughly $6 billion – in return for its operations there.

“There were three players in that market. We had a smaller position,” he said. “We…operate in a position of very clear strength here in the Middle East and North Africa market.”

Uber made a loss of $4.5bn last year, despite a 61 percent increase in sales. He said the profitable markets it operates in will allow Uber to invest indefinitely in markets like the Middle East and North Africa.

“We actually are in a fortunate position that a good number of the markets that we operate the ride sharing business today are already profitable. We are able to use the profits from those markets to allow us to invest on an indefinite basis in key growth markets such as the Middle East and North Africa where we’ve announced plans to double down investments,” Harford said.

Source:http://www.arabianbusiness.com/395174-uber-to-invest-indefinitely-in-middle-east-market-says-harford

Saudi Arabia to launch first cinema in Riyadh

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Saudi authority teams up with US-based AMC Entertainment for historic event in King Abdullah Financial District

The Development and Investment Entertainment Company (DIEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), will launch Saudi Arabia’s first public cinema this week in collaboration with US-based AMC Entertainment.

The newly created cinema complex will be located in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh.

DIEC and AMC Entertainment will commemorate the historic moment with a gala event on Wednesday, hosting prominent local and international guests, a statement said.

The launch event will be a private screening, showing a Hollywood blockbuster, the name of which will be announced later this week.

It is the first in a series of invitation-only screenings that will be held during April, the statement added.

The cinema is set to open to the public in May, and tickets to public show times are planned to go on sale later this month through an online ticketing system.

A further three screens at KAFD’s theatre will open in the third quarter of 2018 and represent the beginning of a partnership that could see 40 or more AMC Cinemas complexes open in the Gulf kingdom over the next five years.

The partnership between DIEC and AMC Entertainment will advance a key objective of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to grow the entertainment sector.

DIEC said it intends to invest up to SR10 billion in entertainment projects by 2030.

Source: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/retail/394292-saudi-arabia-to-launch-first-cinema-in-riyadh-on-wednesday

DEKWANEH IS THE FIRST OF SEVEN INDUSTRIAL ZONES UNDER RENOVATION IN LEBANON

The Ministry of Industry (MoI) signed an agreement with the Municipality of Dekwaneh and the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA), part of Balamand University, to develop the industrial zone in Dekwaneh-Mar Roukoz.

Dany Gedeon, Director General at the Ministry, said: “This project is part of the Ministry’s plan to renovate and reduce pollution in seven industrial zones including Choueifet, Kfarshima, Mkalles, Taanayel, and others.” Dekwaneh municipality has taken the initiative to start the project. The ministry has started also working on the Choueifet industrial zone.

Gedeon said that $300 million will be required to renovate these zones. The ministry is negotiating with international donors like the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), European Investment Bank (EIB), and others to finance these projects.

In Dekwaneh, stakeholders will be working to carry out the master plan and surveys required to renovate the industrial zone, develop its infrastructure, reduce pollution, and enhance its services.

Companies in this zone will be subject to the rules and regulations by the MoI. It will also negotiate with donors to provide funds to develop and revamp the area. The Municipality of Dekwaneh will fund the master plan for the project and provide the field surveys needed to start the project.

ALBA will prepare the initial studies and determine what infrastructure is required, as well as estimating the cost of the project and the time needed for completion.

Source:http://www.libc.net/2018/03/02/dekwaneh-is-the-first-of-seven-industrial-zones-under-renovation-in-lebanon/

$1.6 BILLION IN UPCOMING PRIVATE INVESTMENTS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY

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The Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) launched an Expression of Interest (EoI) for three solar farms that will generate 70 to 100 megawatts (MW) each.

Each solar farm should have battery storage capacity of 70 Megawatt Hour (MWh). It is the first time such a requirement has been made.

The locations of the farms will be determined by the private sector contractors. Electricité du Liban (EDL) will buy the output according to a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The PPA that will be signed by the private solar power contractors will be based on the one signed by the three companies that were awarded contracts to build wind turbines in Akkar. The price of electricity generated by the solar farms and sold to the EDL will be negotiated at a later stage.

Yesterday the MoEW also launched another project to build 24 solar farms (without storage). Each farm should generate between ten and 15 MW, equally divided between regions. This project will be similar to one launched in 2016 when more than 170 companies expressed their interest, and 42 Requests for Proposals (RFPs) were put forth.

The Ministry also launched an EoI for hydropower stations that would generate four megawatts each, across all regions. The proposed hydropower stations should have a total combined generation of 300 MW.

The Ministry had already identified 32 potential sites for the generation of hydropower based on a master plan put together by international firms Sogreah and Artelia. The locations of the hydropower stations would also be determined by the private sector.

A deadline was also set for the EoI for 200-400 MW wind turbines. Companies have until April to present proposals. The wind project is similar to the one licensed last July by the Cabinet, when three companies were permitted to operate 200 MW wind turbines in Akkar.

The total size of investments in the new solar and hydropower projects is estimated at between $1.1 billion and $1.6 billion, according to the MoEW.

Source:http://www.libc.net/2018/03/15/1-6-billion-in-upcoming-private-investments-in-renewable-energy/

Qatar’s manufacturing sector registers exceptional growth

While the Qatari economy displayed an exemplary resilience to the impact of the unjust siege imposed by the Saudi-led bloc, the country’s manufacturing sector led the way in 2017 by clocking exceptional growth and unprecedented expansion.

Thanks to the concerted efforts by all stakeholders, Qatar has been able to transform the challenges into opportunities in almost every sector of the economy. While ramping up production of its existing industrial units, the country began setting up new factories to quickly move towards self-sufficiency.

According to a statement by the Minister of Energy and Industry HE Mohammed bin Saleh al Sada, the number of factories entering the production stage in the first six months of the siege doubled compared to the same period a year ago.

The minister’s statement hinted at the futile attempt by the siege countries to jeopardize Qatar’s economy.
In fact, Qatar’s economy has only picked up momentum since the siege with new plants in manufacturing, food, cement, plastic and steel sectors developed at a fast pace. Qatar has managed to attract huge investments into its manufacturing sector. According to a statement issued by Ministry of Energy and Industry, Qatar has attracted investments of about QR260 billion in its manufacturing sector.

“A total of 730 industrial facilities have been registered with the ministry. Qatar is putting a lot of efforts to realise the directives of the wise leadership in achieving a balanced and sustainable industrial development,” Sada was quoted as saying by Qatar Tribune.
In a bid to encourage local industry and small and medium enterprises, Qatar has provided incentives for industries such as fee exemption on equipment, raw materials and machine parts.
The manufacturing sector has become one of the most attractive investment opportunities in Qatar following the new legislation which facilitates the process while providing investors with a slew of incentives.

The ‘Own Your Factory in 72 Hours’ initiative launched by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), after the blockade, has been a major draw. Under the initiative, 63 investors were shortlisted for setting up factories in Qatar worth a total of QR2.5 billion. The ministry has already provided licences to the shortlisted firms and begun allotting land for setting up the factories in New Industrial Area.
Ahmad Zeidan, head consultant of ‘Own Your Factory in 72 Hours’ initiative, told Qatar Tribune that the shortlisted investors had already started work on their respective projects.”Within one year, all the factories will begin production,” Zeidan said.
Launched as part of the MEC’s ‘Single Window System’, the ‘Own Your Factory in 72 Hours’ initiative, has drawn a huge response from both local and global investors.

The ministry set up a committee comprising representatives from 10 different ministries and government bodies to evaluate the applicant-investors.

The committee received a total of 8,128 applications from investors in Qatar and more than 1,000 requests from 50 countries for winning the 250 investment opportunities covering eight major industrial sectors.
Out of the 9,128 applicants, the committee shortlisted around 900 investors for evaluation and meetings.
After holding more than 450 personal meetings with investors, the committee finalised the names of investors for 63 projects. More names will be announced at a later stage.

According to information provided by the ministry, out of the 63 investors, 22 will be setting up industries in the food sector.
While the overall manufacturing sector witnessed growth, there was more focus on food, medicine and other essential products with a view to tiding over the diplomatic crisis.

The Qatari government also partnered with the private sector to promote local products both in domestic and international markets.
The ‘Made in Qatar’ exhibition organised by Qatar Chamber in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Industry and Qatar National Bank became a huge success.

The size of the area allocated for the exhibition increased from 15,000 square metres (sqm) last year to 30,000sqm this year. The number of exhibitors also doubled compared to the previous edition.

Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al Thani told Qatar Tribune that the siege has given birth to an”industrial renaissance” in the country.

Source:http://www.qatar-tribune.com/news-details/id/104216