��������Ƶ

JEDDAH: Saudi industrial cities are set for further growth as the sector's authority revealed it has signed 23 development contracts with the private sector, valued at over SR1.7 billion ($453 million). 

The agreements, announced by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, or MODON, encompass a wide range of projects aimed at boosting industrial capabilities.  

These include the expansion of industrial cities, the construction of ready-made factories, the enhancement of MODON’s safety and security systems, and initiatives aligned with the National Industry Strategy.  

Additionally, the projects will address water and irrigation needs, improve water treatment facilities, upgrade electricity services, and expand road networks. 

MODON’s latest contracts highlight the growing role of the private sector in supporting ��������Ƶ’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals, which emphasize economic diversification, local production, and the creation of an attractive environment for both domestic and foreign investment.  

The projects are expected to enhance the competitiveness of Saudi industrial cities, foster greater investment, and improve operational efficiency for businesses. 

The agreements will also contribute to regional development, improve environmental sustainability, and promote vegetation growth, MODON stated in a post on its X account. 

The development of these projects is in line with ��������Ƶ’s broader efforts to build a dynamic and innovative economy. 

This move follows a previous round of agreements in July, when MODON signed nine contracts valued at SR1 billion to enhance infrastructure and service facilities across various industrial hubs. Key initiatives from that round included the development of infrastructure in Makkah’s and Jeddah’s industrial cities and the installation of 132-kilovolt overhead power lines in Tabuk’s industrial city. 

Looking ahead, MODON plans further expansion with projects that will improve electrical services, such as the construction of 115-kV overhead power lines in Hafr Al-Batin’s industrial city. The authority is also focusing on enhancing infrastructure networks for the first and second phases of Dammam’s Third Industrial City. 

Since its establishment in 2001, MODON has overseen the development of 36 industrial cities and is responsible for managing both operational and under-construction industrial lands across the Kingdom.  

In the first quarter of 2024, MODON attracted SR3.4 billion in private sector investments, signed 142 new industrial contracts, and registered a total of 6,758 factories. 

As part of its commitment to sustainable growth, MODON also planted over 576,000 trees and finalized 335 logistics contracts, underscoring its broader environmental and economic development objectives.

RIYADH: In ��������Ƶ’s pursuit of the ambitious goals set out in Vision 2030, project management has emerged as a key enabler, ensuring that planning aligns seamlessly with execution to achieve transformative outcomes.

This vital discipline is playing a crucial role in turning visionary ideas into reality, as highlighted during a prominent forum held on Tuesday.

The event emphasized the central role of project management in realizing Vision 2030, a comprehensive framework launched in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The vision aims to diversify the economy and reduce the Kingdom’s dependence on oil. Currently, over 5,000 projects, valued at $5 trillion, are underway, signaling ��������Ƶ's substantial progress in reshaping both its economic and social landscapes.

“Project management is the bridge where vision meets ambition, converting plans into tangible results,” said Badr Burshaid, chairman of the Global Project Management Forum.

He also pointed to the Kingdom's significant investment in human capital, particularly through initiatives such as the Human Capability Development Program, which has placed ��������Ƶ among the top 10 nations globally in equipping professionals with essential business skills.

The forum highlighted the importance of strategic execution in driving economic transformation.

Badr Al-Dulami, deputy minister of transport and logistics services for roads affairs, described project management as the “pulse of transformation,” underscoring its role in fostering competitiveness and innovation.

“This summit is not just an event but a platform for uniting expertise and driving collaboration,” Al-Dulami said.

During the forum, excellence awards were presented to pioneering projects that exemplify Vision 2030’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and impactful outcomes.

Al-Dulami noted that these awards serve as an invitation to explore new horizons of creativity while staying aligned with national objectives.

��������Ƶ’s success under Vision 2030 is evident across several key sectors. With 87 percent of initiatives either completed or on track, the Kingdom has made significant strides in improving its business environment, generating employment, and advancing major projects like NEOM and the Red Sea Project.

These achievements not only demonstrate ��������Ƶ’s strategic capabilities but also highlight its leadership in executing large-scale initiatives.

In closing, Burshaid urged participants to harness the insights and momentum gained from the forum to ensure continued progress.

“The seeds planted today will grow into achievements that inspire future generations,” he said, encouraging stakeholders to prioritize innovation and collaboration as ��������Ƶ moves forward.

With project management at the heart of Vision 2030, ��������Ƶ is setting a global benchmark for strategic execution and sustainable development, solidifying its role as a leader in transformative growth.