Ƶ

You are here

  • Home
  • Sports Boulevard Foundation launches $933m fund for mixed-use development in Riyadh

Sports Boulevard Foundation launches $933m fund for mixed-use development in Riyadh

SBF signed agreements with Riyadh Development Co., Turkiye’s FTG Development, and Jadwa Investment to establish the fund, which aims to transform Riyadh’s urban landscape. 
SBF signed agreements with Riyadh Development Co., Turkiye’s FTG Development, and Jadwa Investment to establish the fund, which aims to transform Riyadh’s urban landscape. 
Short Url

https://arab.news/6b66t

Updated 17 December 2024
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

Sports Boulevard Foundation launches $933m fund for mixed-use development in Riyadh

Sports Boulevard Foundation launches $933m fund for mixed-use development in Riyadh
Updated 17 December 2024
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

JEDDAH: Ƶ’s Sports Boulevard Foundation has launched a SR3.5 billion ($933 million) real estate investment fund to develop Urban Wadi High Rises, a mixed-use project in Riyadh. 

SBF signed agreements with Riyadh Development Co., Turkiye’s FTG Development, and Jadwa Investment to establish the fund, which aims to transform Riyadh’s urban landscape. 

Spanning 40,000 sq. meters with a gross floor area exceeding 207,000 sq. meters, the Urban Wadi High Rises will adhere to Salmani architectural principles, blending cultural heritage with modern design, according to a press release.

The initiative is part of the broader Sports Boulevard project launched in 2019, which spans 135 km, linking Wadi Hanifa in the west to Wadi Al-Sulai in the east. Designed as the world’s largest linear park, it integrates sports, cultural, and environmental features to promote healthier lifestyles in line with Vision 2030’s Quality-of-Life objectives. 

Jayne McGivern, CEO of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, said: “Establishing a real estate investment fund and the strategic partnership it entails is a significant step toward enhancing urban development.”  

She added: “This fund reflects our unwavering commitment to the Sports Boulevard project and our vision of improving the quality of life in the city. We aim to transform Riyadh into one of the best in the world, contributing to regional growth and successfully achieving the overarching goals outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030.” 

As part of the deal, Sports Boulevard Development Co. will hold the majority stake, while Riyadh Development Co. and FTG Development will act as co-investors and developers. Jadwa Investment will manage the closed-ended fund, the release added. 

“Through collaboration with our partners, we will be able to provide Sports Boulevard’s Urban Wadi destination with world-class facilities that will guarantee a positive impact in all areas related to Riyadh’s community,” said McGivern. 

This is the second real estate investment fund launched by SBF, following its earlier fund announcement for the Promenade destination. The foundation described the initiative as a unique partnership model between the public and private sectors. 

Urban Wadi will feature a water canal with green spaces, pedestrian and cycling paths, shaded play areas, sports courts, a kayaking zone, and retail spaces with shops and restaurants. A 10,000-sq.-meter shaded structure will provide an additional community gathering space for residents and visitors.  

Jehad Al-Kadi, CEO of Riyadh Development Co., emphasized the project’s alignment with Vision 2030, noting its potential to enhance Riyadh’s infrastructure and support the Kingdom’s growth ambitions. 

“We are proud to announce the establishment of a real estate investment fund as part of our strategic partnership with the Sports Boulevard Development Company. This investment will support the common goal of the Sports Boulevard Project by providing world-class facilities to the residents and visitors of Riyadh,” said Al-Kadi.  

Given the project's significance and the Kingdom’s current economic and investment dynamics, he noted that a successful partnership had been formed with international real estate developer FTG Development to implement best practices in design, construction, and asset management.

Tariq Al-Sudairy, managing director and CEO of Jadwa Investment, underscored the fund’s role in strengthening Riyadh’s global standing, adding: “The management of this Fund demonstrates our commitment to strengthening Riyadh’s position as a global city by developing sustainable infrastructure to the highest standards, attracting investments that contribute to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and improving the quality of life in the capital.” 

Launched in 2019 under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Sports Boulevard project is a flagship initiative designed to enhance Riyadh’s livability and promote active lifestyles. 

Topics: urban development

ROSHN launches first residential community in Makkah

ROSHN launches first residential community in Makkah
Updated 28 sec ago
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

ROSHN launches first residential community in Makkah

ROSHN launches first residential community in Makkah
Updated 28 sec ago
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

JEDDAH: Ƶ’s leading property developer, ROSHN, has officially launched its first residential community in Makkah, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to improve the city’s living standards while supporting the national development goals outlined in Vision 2030.

The launch event for the Al-Manar Community project, which is ROSHN’s inaugural residential development in Makkah, took place under the patronage of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by a host of prominent figures, including Makkah Mayor Musaed bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood, Royal Commission for Makkah and Holy Sites CEO Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Rasheed, Real Estate General Authority CEO Abdullah Al-Hammad, and ROSHN’s acting CEO Khaled Jawhar. The event also saw participation from officials across both the public and private sectors.

Strategically positioned, the Al-Manar community is just a 20-minute drive from the Grand Mosque, less than an hour from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and only two minutes from Makkah’s western gateway. The development’s design thoughtfully integrates the region’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, blending modernity with tradition.

The Saudi government, under Vision 2030, has set ambitious targets to boost homeownership among citizens, aiming for 70 percent by the end of the decade.

ROSHN is playing a pivotal role in achieving this goal by developing large-scale residential projects that offer high-quality and affordable housing options for Saudi citizens. These initiatives are in line with the government’s strategy to expand the housing sector, elevate living standards, and provide homes for the country’s growing population.

At the ceremony, attendees were given a tour of model villas and previewed the diverse residential designs available within the community. The Al-Manar development will feature a variety of villas alongside essential amenities such as schools, mosques, shopping centers, healthcare facilities, open spaces, and recreational areas.

Khaled Jawhar, acting CEO of ROSHN, explained that the project spans over 21 million sq. meters and will provide more than 33,000 housing units. Additionally, it will offer more than 150 facilities designed to meet the needs of residents and support community well-being.

Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah and Holy Sites, emphasized the significance of the Al-Manar community as the first fully integrated ROSHN development in Makkah.

“Located at the city’s western gateway, within the Haram boundaries, this project reflects our commitment to facilitating impactful developments that drive long-term growth and sustainability,” Al-Rasheed said.

Topics: gigaproject ROSHN

Saudi Venture Capital Invests $24bn in Jadwa GCC Private Equity Fund 1

Saudi Venture Capital Invests $24bn in Jadwa GCC Private Equity Fund 1
Updated 27 min 47 sec ago
Arab News

Saudi Venture Capital Invests $24bn in Jadwa GCC Private Equity Fund 1

Saudi Venture Capital Invests $24bn in Jadwa GCC Private Equity Fund 1
Updated 27 min 47 sec ago
Arab News

RIYADH: Saudi Venture Capital has invested over SR90 billion ($24 billion) in the Jadwa GCC Private Equity Fund 1.

The fund aims to raise SR1.5 billion, with a hard cap of SR2 billion, and marks Jadwa’s first regional blind-pool private equity fund, a press release issued on Thursday said.

It said the fund will focus on investing in a diversified portfolio of high-potential private equity opportunities across Ƶ and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council region.

Commenting on the development, Nabeel Koshak, CEO and board member of SVC, said:

“Our investment in the private equity fund by Jadwa is aligned with SVC’s strategy of supporting the evolving private equity ecosystem in Ƶ. This investment will stimulate and sustain funding for high-potential companies in Ƶ, contributing to the economic diversification objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.”

Founded in 2018, SVC is a subsidiary of the SME Bank, part of the National Development Fund. Its mission is to stimulate and sustain financing for startups and small and medium enterprises at various stages—from pre-seed to pre-IPO—through investments in funds as well as direct investments into emerging companies.

Tariq Al-Sudairy, managing director and CEO of Jadwa Investment, added: “We are excited to have SVC on board as an investor in Jadwa GCC Private Equity Fund 1. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to identifying and nurturing high-potential companies across the GCC, with the goal of creating long-term value for our clients.”

Jadwa Investment is a leading investment management and advisory firm in the MENA region.

Topics: Jadwa SVC Investment

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,859

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,859
Updated 55 min 20 sec ago
Reem Walid

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,859

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,859
  • Parallel market Nomu declined by 120.35 points, or 0.39%, to close at 30,886.71
  • MSCI Tadawul Index also dropped 3.44 points, or 0.23%, to end at 1,490.30
Updated 55 min 20 sec ago
Reem Walid

RIYADH: Ƶ’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Thursday, losing 32.85 points, or 0.28 percent, to close at 11,859.47.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index reached SR2.80 billion ($747 million), as 78 stocks advanced and 143 retreated.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu declined by 120.35 points, or 0.39 percent, to close at 30,886.71, with 37 stocks advancing and 38 retreating.

The MSCI Tadawul Index also dropped 3.44 points, or 0.23 percent, to end at 1,490.30.

The best-performing stock of the day was Rasan Information Technology Co., whose share price surged 7.58 percent to SR79.50. Other top performers included The Mediterranean and Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co., which rose by 7.17 percent to SR24.80, and The National Co. for Glass Industries, up 4.15 percent to SR55.20.

On the downside, Saudi Research and Media Group recorded the steepest drop, falling 3.86 percent to SR269.00. Al-Baha Investment and Development Co. saw its share price decline by 3.85 percent to SR0.50, while Red Sea International Co. dropped 3.63 percent to SR58.40.

On the announcement front, Mutakamela Insurance Co. launched its new identity and brand name, Mutakamela, following regulatory approvals and shareholder consent at its extraordinary general assembly meeting. 

Mutakamela ended the session unchanged at SR14.78.

Al-Yamamah Steel Industries Co. reported a net profit of SR70.8 million for the year ending Sept. 30, a significant turnaround from the SR130.14 million loss recorded in the previous year. The profit increase was attributed to reduced costs in the construction sector by 20.82 percent, electricity by 7.56 percent, and solar energy by 10.35 percent.

Additionally, the company’s board recommended distributing SR25.4 million in cash dividends to shareholders for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. Eligible shareholders will receive a dividend of SR0.50 per share, representing 5 percent of the share’s par value, with 50.8 million shares eligible for the payout. 

Al-Yamamah Steel closed the session at SR35.00, down 1.75 percent.

Arabian Contracting Services Co. secured a project worth SR563 million with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City to invest in and lease internal advertising spaces within the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project in Riyadh. 

The 10-year agreement aligns with the company’s strategy to expand its advertising activities. 

Its stock rose 0.68 percent to close at SR149.00.

Bank Al-Jazira announced the start of issuing its Additional Tier 1 Sukuk under a SR5 billion program through private placement. The issuance amount and terms will be determined based on market conditions, with a minimum subscription of SR1 million. 

The sukuk offer price, par value, and return will also be market-dependent. The bank has appointed Al-Jazira Capital, Al-Rajhi Capital, and HSBC Ƶ as joint lead managers and dealers.

Bank Al-Jazira’s stock rose 0.96 percent to close at SR18.68.

Topics: TASI Tadawul Stock Market shares

Related

Closing Bell: Ƶ’s TASI ends in the red, trading volume hits $2.95bn
Business & Economy
Closing Bell: Ƶ’s TASI ends in the red, trading volume hits $2.95bn
Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,914
Business & Economy
Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,914

Turkiye lowers interest rate to 47.5%

Turkiye lowers interest rate to 47.5%
Updated 26 December 2024
AFP

Turkiye lowers interest rate to 47.5%

Turkiye lowers interest rate to 47.5%
  • Central bank now expects inflation to reach 44% at the end of 2024
  • Decision signals the start of an easing cycle after eight months of steady policy
Updated 26 December 2024
AFP

ISTANBUL: Turkiye’s central bank lowered its key interest rate on Thursday, the first cut in nearly two years as it battles with double-digit inflation.
The bank’s monetary policy committee decided to reduce the policy rate from 50 percent to 47.5 percent, with a statement citing improvement in “inflation expectations and pricing behavior.”
The last cut was in February 2023.
The central bank began to raise interest rates last year to battle soaring prices, after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dropped his opposition to orthodox monetary policy.
It has kept the main rate stable at 50 percent since March.
Thursday’s decision signals the start of an easing cycle after eight months of steady policy.
The bank said the decisiveness over its tight monetary stance “is bringing down the underlying trend of monthly inflation and strengthening the disinflation process.”
In November, Turkiye’s annual inflation rate slowed for the sixth month in a row, at 47.1 percent.
The central bank now expects inflation to reach 44 percent at the end of 2024, up from a previous estimate in August of 38 percent.
The bank said the level of the policy rate would be determined in a way to ensure the tightness required by the projected disinflation path, taking into account both realized and expected inflation.
This week, the central bank announced that it would hold fewer policy meetings next year.
“The Committee will make its decisions prudently on a meeting-by-meeting basis with a focus on the inflation outlook,” the bank said, adding it would “decisively use all the tools at its disposal in line with its main objective of price stability.”
The bank “will make its decisions in a predictable, data-driven and transparent framework,” it added.
Hakan Kara, former chief economist at the central bank, welcomed the cut as “very reasonable and balanced start” that came with a “cautious/optimistic communication.”
“In my opinion, the central bank is doing its best. From now on, the ball is in other policies,” Kara commented on social media platform X, including in the pace of spending and regulations on critical institutions.
The rate slash comes amid a moderate increase in Turkiye’s minimum wage after several rounds of negotiations.
The net monthly minimum wage has been raised by 30 percent to 22,104 lira ($600), beginning from Jan. 1 — far below the demands of the workers union.
The union had demanded a 70 percent increase.
Erdogan welcomed the rise this week and said: “We once again remained true to our promise not to let our workers be crushed by inflation.”

Topics: Turkiye Turkish Central Bank Inflation

Related

Turkiye’s soaring costs are creating a ‘lost generation’ of kids forced to help their families get by
Middle-East
Turkiye’s soaring costs are creating a ‘lost generation’ of kids forced to help their families get by
Journalists arrested in Turkiye over Syria drone deaths demo
Media
Journalists arrested in Turkiye over Syria drone deaths demo

Ƶ’s JEDCO, Tarshid partner to boost energy efficiency at King Abdulaziz Int’l Airport

Ƶ’s JEDCO, Tarshid partner to boost energy efficiency at King Abdulaziz Int’l Airport
Updated 26 December 2024
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

Ƶ’s JEDCO, Tarshid partner to boost energy efficiency at King Abdulaziz Int’l Airport

Ƶ’s JEDCO, Tarshid partner to boost energy efficiency at King Abdulaziz Int’l Airport
  • Tarshid will conduct on-site surveys and technical studies of KAIA’s targeted buildings and facilities
  • Project aims to encourage the aviation industry to adopt sustainable practices
Updated 26 December 2024
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

JEDDAH: Ƶ’s King Abdulaziz International Airport is set to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions through a strategic partnership with the country’s National Energy Services Co., or Tarshid.

The pact between Jeddah Airports Co., or JEDCO, the airport’s operating company, and Tarshid, a Public Investment Fund company, aims to deliver sustainable energy efficiency solutions for the airport’s facilities. The partnership is facilitated through a Tarshid subsidiary and aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, minister of energy and chairman of Tarshid’s board of directors, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The deal, which aims to launch innovative energy-saving initiatives and promote environmental responsibility, supports Ƶ’s Civil Aviation Environmental Sustainability Program and contributes to achieving the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030, which seek to improve energy efficiency and implement sustainable solutions across public and private sector facilities in the Kingdom.

The Kingdom has been developing the Civil Aviation Environmental Sustainability Plan, which seeks to mitigate the environmental impact associated with the expected growth of the country’s civil aviation sector.

The plan is crafted to align with global commitments outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement and the emission reduction targets set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The country has made several national-level achievements over the past years in the pursuit of its net-zero emissions goal, set for 2060. It is also pursuing new technologies to improve fuel efficiency and decarbonize the aviation sector.

Ranked among the top 100 airports globally, KAIA holds the distinction of being the third-best airport in the Middle East, according to rankings by UK-based consulting firm Skytrax.

Under the agreement, Tarshid will conduct on-site surveys and technical studies of KAIA’s targeted buildings and facilities, recommending optimal solutions to enhance energy efficiency and reduce consumption within the project’s scope.

Waled Abdullah Al-Ghreri, CEO of Tarshid and board member, said that they are dedicated to realizing Vision 2030’s objectives of enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in Ƶ.

“Tarshid continues to strengthen its partnerships with both public and private sectors, and our collaboration with Jeddah Airports Co. is a pivotal step toward establishing new energy efficiency benchmarks in the aviation sector, reflecting a future that merges operational excellence with environmental responsibility.”

Mazen bin Mohammed Johar, CEO of JEDCO, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying that the agreement is a significant step in advancing the company’s efforts to enhance the operational efficiency of airport facilities.

Johar added that the agreement aligns with the National Aviation Strategy’s goal of operating a world-class, sustainable airport with high energy efficiency standards, consistent with Vision 2030.

He highlighted KAIA’s achievements in environmental preservation, including sustainability projects such as a recycling initiative that reduces carbon emissions and achieves net-zero targets, electricity and water conservation projects utilizing solar panels and smart technologies, and air quality monitoring in collaboration with the National Center for Environmental Compliance.

He said that the airport has increased green spaces to mitigate carbon emissions.

Established in 2017, Tarshid specializes in retrofitting buildings and facilities to improve energy efficiency and sustainability across government and private sectors. The KAIA project is among its key initiatives with the private sector, aiming to encourage the aviation industry to adopt sustainable practices.

By the end of the third quarter of this year, the company had achieved annual energy savings of 7.3 terawatt-hours across various projects, equivalent to conserving over 11.7 million barrels of oil equivalent and avoiding approximately 4.2 million metric tonnes of harmful emissions. These efforts equate to the environmental impact of planting more than 69.4 million seedlings annually, SPA reported.

Tarshid has recently signed a similar agreement with SAL Logistics Services, underscoring its role in advancing energy efficiency and sustainability across both governmental and private sectors. 

Topics: Jeddah Airports Co. King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) Tarshid

Related

Saudi non-profit sector revenues surge 33% to $14.4bn in 2023
Business & Economy
Saudi non-profit sector revenues surge 33% to $14.4bn in 2023
Ƶ’s logistics centers surge 267% amid Vision 2030 push
Business & Economy
Ƶ’s logistics centers surge 267% amid Vision 2030 push

Latest updates

Ƶ denounces Israeli far-right minister’s incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque
Ƶ denounces Israeli far-right minister’s incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque
ROSHN launches first residential community in Makkah
ROSHN launches first residential community in Makkah
Saudi Venture Capital Invests $24bn in Jadwa GCC Private Equity Fund 1
Saudi Venture Capital Invests $24bn in Jadwa GCC Private Equity Fund 1
Saudi foreign minister takes part in GCC extraordinary meeting in Kuwait
Saudi foreign minister takes part in GCC extraordinary meeting in Kuwait
Israel strikes Yemen’s Sana’a airport, ports and power stations
Smoke rises after Israeli strikes near Sanaa airport, in Sanaa, Yemen, December 26, 2024. (Reuters)

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version
© 2024 Ƶ, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.