Saudi Arabia’s NEOM announced on Sunday that it has secured a new revolving credit facility (RCF) worth SAR10 billion.

It represents another milestone for NEOM as it progresses with the development of major projects and will be used to support NEOM’s short-term financing requirements. The RCF, which follows a Murabaha structure, reflects a continuation of NEOM’s strategy to diversify its sources of funding.

CEO of NEOM Nadhmi Al-Nasr, said: “As NEOM continues to gather pace, this new credit facility, backed by Saudi Arabia’s leading financial institutions, is a natural fit within our wider strategy for funding. We continue to explore a variety of funding sources as we deliver transformational infrastructure assets while supporting the wider Vision 2030 program.”

“NEOM is among the largest projects in the world today, and we value the partnership we have with our relationship banks in facilitating access to a range of flexible financing options as we deliver on our ambition,” he added.

The new RCF builds upon the SAR 23 billion agreement signed by NEOM and its partners to finance the NEOM Green Hydrogen Company. It also follows last year’s SAR 3 billion debt financing arranged to partially fund NEOM’s development of Sindalah, the luxury island destination set to welcome visitors this year.

The facility attracted strong interest, with nine banks participating. The mandated lead arrangers include Saudi National Bank, Riyad Bank, and Saudi Awwal Bank. Other participating banks are Al Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation, Alinma Bank, Arab National Bank, Bank Albilad, The Saudi Investment Bank, and Bank AlJazira.

President of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Borge Brende expressed on Sunday his appreciation to the government of Saudi Arabia for hosting the WEF's special meeting under the theme "Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development."

During a speech at the special WEF meeting in Riyadh, Brende highlighted the developments witnessed by Saudi Arabia in recent years, which reflect its global economic ambition, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

He stressed the importance of finding solutions to address economic challenges that boost international cooperation and discussed challenges, including energy shortages in some countries.

He stressed the importance of finding cooperative solutions to reshape the future of energy worldwide,

The forum has attracted participants from 92 countries and more than 500 companies, institutions, and non-profit organizations for discussions on achieving a sustainable future.

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group, which kicked off in Riyadh on Saturday, under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, represent an important platform to discuss means to boost cooperation among Islamic member countries and achieve sustainable and comprehensive development.

The annual meetings coincide with the IsDB’s golden jubilee, as the institution celebrates 50 years of promoting economic and social development in 57 member countries, under the slogan “Taking pride in our past, shaping our future: authenticity, solidarity, and prosperity”.

In a statement, Al-Jadaan said Saudi Arabia occupies a distinguished position on the global stage as one of the leading countries in hosting and sponsoring many major international events and conferences.

The Kingdom continues to support development programs and projects through the Islamic Development Bank Group, which reflects its firm commitment to achieving progress and prosperity and building a bright and sustainable future for the region and the entire world, he added.

Chairman of the IsDB Dr. Mohammad Al-Jasser stressed that the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the Group is a model of strategic partnership.

Addressing the first day of the meetings, Al-Jasser said the world needed long-term solutions. such as sustainable infrastructure projects, pointing to estimates that portend a large gap in infrastructure financing worth $15 trillion by 2040.

He also underlined that traditional public financing mechanisms were insufficient, adding that meeting the growing demand for infrastructure projects to confront these challenges and mobilize sufficient financing for long-term investments required a new approach.

“We stand at a crossroads as the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed infrastructure vulnerabilities, depleted public resources, and reversed progress in development,” Al-Jasser said.

He continued that the least developed countries have enormous economic potential waiting to be “unleashed,” and increasing investments in social and physical infrastructure is essential for reducing poverty, promoting health and education, and creating job opportunities.

The first day’s meetings featured a session entitled, “A Path to Prosperity: Multidimensional Poverty in the Member Countries of the Islamic Development Bank Group,” during which speakers discussed the use of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in defining and addressing poverty.

They highlighted the work of the United Nations Development Program in Afghanistan and Yemen, and the importance of having a clear framework and up-to-date data to guide policy-making and interventions.

Participants discussed the need to rethink development financing for fragile sectors, emphasizing the importance of designing financial instruments to suit the circumstances of each country.

The speakers, including the Acting Director General of the Islamic Development Bank Institute, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, and Oxford University Professor Sabina Alkire, stressed the need for new economic frameworks and political decision-making to give priority to the marginalized, and the importance of using Multidimensional Poverty Index data in taking urgent action to create economic models that meet their needs.

Another panel session, entitled “Leveraging Islamic Finance to Develop Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure”. addressed investments in infrastructure globally and explored the potential of Islamic finance, particularly Sukuk, in boosting investment in infrastructure projects.

The annual meetings will witness a plenary session of the Board of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank Group, and a round table meeting of governors to discuss the most important economic challenges facing Islamic countries, as well as future opportunities.

Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, will move its operations to the city-state's second, sprawling airfield in its southern desert reaches “within the next 10 years” in a project worth nearly $35 billion, its ruler said Sunday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's announcement marks the latest chapter in the rebound of its long-haul carrier Emirates after the coronavirus pandemic grounded international travel.

Plans have been on the books for years to move the operations of the airport known as DXB to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central which had also been delayed by the repercussions of the sheikhdom's 2009 economic crisis.

“We are building a new project for future generations, ensuring continuous and stable development for our children and their children in turn,” Sheikh Mohammed said in an online statement. “Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub and its new global center.”

The announcement included computer-rendered images of curving, white terminal reminiscent of the traditional Bedouin tents of the Arabian Peninsula. The airport will include five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, the announcement said. The airport now has just two runways, like Dubai International Airport.

The financial health of the carrier Emirates has served as a barometer for the aviation industry worldwide and the wider economic health of this city-state. Dubai and the airline rebounded quickly from the pandemic by pushing forward with tourism even as some countries more slowly came out of their pandemic crouch.

The number of passengers flying through DXB surged last year beyond its total for 2019 with 86.9 million passengers. Its 2019 annual traffic was 86.3 million passengers. The airport had 89.1 million passengers in 2018 — its busiest-ever year before the pandemic, while 66 million passengers passed through in 2022.

Earlier in February, Dubai announced its best-ever tourism numbers, saying it hosted 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023. Average hotel occupancy stood at around 77%. Its boom-and-bust real estate market remains on a hot streak, nearing all-time high valuations.

But as those passenger numbers skyrocketed, it again put new pressure on the capacity of DXB, which remains constrained on all sides by residential neighborhoods and two major highways.

Al Maktoum International Airport, some 45 kilometers (28 miles) away from DXB, opened in 2010 with one terminal. It served as a parking lot for Emirates' double-decker Airbus A380s and other aircraft during the pandemic and slowly has come back to life with cargo and private flights in the time since. It also hosts the biennial Dubai Air Show and has a vast, empty desert in which to expand.

The announcement by Sheikh Mohammed noted Dubai's plans to expand further south. Already, its nearby Expo 2020 site has been offering homes for buyers.

“As we build an entire city around the airport in Dubai South, demand for housing for a million people will follow,” Dubai's ruler said. “It will host the world’s leading companies in the logistics and air transport sectors.”

However, financial pressures have halted the move in the past. Dubai's 2009 financial crisis, brought on by the Great Recession, forced Abu Dhabi to provide the city-state with a $20 billion bailout.

Meanwhile, the city-state is still trying to recover after the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the UAE, which disrupted flights and commerce for days.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman expressed on Sunday the Kingdom’s readiness to partner with everyone to supply the world with all types of energy.

Speaking at a panel discussion on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s special meeting on global collaboration in Riyadh, he added that Saudi Arabia could also cooperate in the transportation, through pipelines, of hydrogen in the form of ammonia.

Moreover, the minister said the shift towards green energy must take place along a practical and realistic path, stressing that raising environmental awareness was a collective responsibility.

“We must consider the types of energy and synthetic fuels. We believe in the importance of synthetic methane and open the door wide to various options,” he went on to say.

The Saudi capital is hosting on Sunday the first global meeting of the World Economic Forum, under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

“It is the strongest summit outside of Davos to date,” according to Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim, who was speaking on the eve of the meeting, which is held under the slogan “Global Cooperation, Growth and Energy for Development.”

The event brings together more than a thousand world officials from 92 countries with the aim of supporting dialogue and finding practical, collaborative and sustainable solutions to common global challenges.

Building on the inaugural Growth Summit in Switzerland last year, the meeting will promote a forward-looking approach to interconnected crises. It will also bridge the growing gap between North and South on issues such as emerging economic policies, energy transition, and geopolitical shocks.

This event comes three days after the issuance of the annual report of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in its eighth year, which highlighted the progress achieved by Saudi Arabia at various levels.

“Eight years after the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, we have demonstrated our readiness to lead the path towards an advanced model of growth based on transformation, characterized by innovation and sustainability. Our vision is to chart the path towards a prosperous economy based on knowledge and innovation, a path that unleashes the enormous potential of our human capital,” Al-Ibrahim told a group of journalists on Saturday.

He explained that most of the growth achieved by Saudi Arabia over the past years came from new economic sectors that the country started from scratch in accordance with Vision 2030, such as sports, entertainment and tourism, in addition to industrial sectors.

“The Kingdom is reviewing all of its priorities and adjusting them to suit its needs, and all projects are progressing according to plan and without delay,” he underlined.

In a joint press conference with the President of the World Economic Forum, Borge Brende, earlier on Saturday, the minister said the Kingdom has proven its ability to lead a sustainable model globally, noting that it has achieved a 20 percent economic growth since 2016, while the non-oil economy now represents 50 percent of GDP in 2023.

He continued: “At the global turning point we are living in today, strengthening international cooperation has become more important than ever. In cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a partner for this meeting, the Forum has chosen a well-established and dynamic global platform for leadership of thought, solutions and business, to be the best host for this special meeting, in light of the exceptional circumstances.”

Al-Ibrahim noted that the special WEF meeting in Riyadh represents a unique opportunity to redraw development paths in all countries and adopt a new model of international cooperation that aims to overcome divisions and achieve common prosperity.

Brende, for his part, underlined the importance of the special meeting of the World Economic Forum, which is taking place at a crucial moment.

He said that in light of the geopolitical tensions and social and economic disparities that exacerbate divisions at the global level, international cooperation and meaningful dialogue have become more urgent than ever before.

He added that the Riyadh meeting provides an opportunity for leaders from various sectors and geographical regions to transform ideas into actions on the ground, and launch scalable solutions to many challenges.

Brende also said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and a number of international officials will visit the Saudi capital this current week to hold talks aimed at pushing towards a peace agreement in Gaza.

He pointed to “some new momentum now in the talks around the hostages, and also for... a possible way out of the impasse we are faced with in Gaza.”

“This is more an opportunity to have structured discussions” with “the key players”, he said, adding: “There will be discussions, of course, on the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza.”

The meeting agenda focuses on three main topics, including international cooperation, comprehensive growth and energy for development.

According to a statement issued by the World Economic Forum, more than 220 public figures from more than 60 countries are participating in the meeting.

The WEF, in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning, is also organizing the Open Forum on April 28-29, concurrently with the Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development.

In a statement, the WEF said the forum aims to encourage dialogue and increase awareness on critical issues by providing a platform for ideas, thoughts, and questions to be expressed and tackled in an open environment. It welcomes students, entrepreneurs, young professionals and the general public to the discussion.

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim has said the World Economic Forum's (WEF) special meeting in Riyadh presents a vital chance to reshape development strategies globally.

This opportunity allows for a new approach to international cooperation, prioritizing overcoming differences and fostering mutual prosperity.

Alibrahim made this statement during the meeting's initial press conference, joined by WEF President Borge Brende. The conference took place at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, leading up to the special meeting on April 28-29.

This year's theme is "Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development.”

Heads of state and government representatives from 92 nations will gather to discuss the challenges of worldwide economic instability, climate change, and technological disruption. Their objective is to discover fresh avenues for sustainable development while fostering greater collaboration among nations.

The meeting will serve as an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to present Vision 2030 as a strategic plan for fostering innovation-led development and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Alibrahim stated that Saudi Arabia is ready to spearhead a progressive growth model centered on transformation, innovation, and sustainability. “Our vision is to cultivate a flourishing economy driven by knowledge and innovation, fully harnessing the immense potential of our people.”

The primary focus will be on crafting forward-thinking strategies to tackle climate change, economic volatility, and natural disasters.

The WEF's upcoming special meeting is expected to generate new recommendations and guide nations towards increased collaboration in addressing global challenges. Its objective is to forge a more sustainable and prosperous future for all stakeholders involved.

Aramco is exploring the formation of a joint venture in the Saudi Aramco Jubail Refinery Company (“SASREF”) with Chinese partner Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (“Rongsheng”) and significant investments in the Saudi and Chinese petrochemical sectors, in partnership with Rongsheng, the Saudi oil firm said in a statement on Saturday.

The Saudi oil company recently signed a cooperation framework agreement that envisions Rongsheng’s potential acquisition of a 50% stake in SASREF. The agreement also lays the groundwork for the development of a liquids-to-chemicals expansion project at SASREF, in addition to Aramco’s potential acquisition of a 50% stake in Rongsheng affiliate Ningbo Zhongjin Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (ZJPC) and participation in ZJPC’s expansion project, said the statement.

“These discussions highlight our ambition to advance our liquids-to-chemicals strategy with strategic partner Rongsheng, both in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and China. In building on our existing relationship, we aim to advance our expansion in a key geography and attract new investment to the Saudi downstream sector,” said Aramco Downstream President Mohammed Y. Al Qahtani.

In July 2023, Aramco acquired a 10% interest in Rongsheng through its subsidiary Aramco Overseas Company BV, based in the Netherlands. Rongsheng in turn owns a 100% equity interest in ZJPC, which operates an aromatics production complex and has an interest in a joint venture that produces purified terephthalic acid.

Germany needs an economic turnaround in order to secure its geopolitical position, German Finance Minister and head of the Free Democrats FDP Christian Lindner said on Saturday.
The German economy was the weakest among its large euro zone peers last year, as high energy costs, feeble global orders and record high interest rates took their toll.
This year will also be challenging for Europe's biggest economy, Reuters reported.
In its World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund has cut its forecasts for German gross domestic product by 0.3 percentage points for both years, expecting 0.2% growth this year and 1.3% in 2025.
These forecasts are below the estimates of 0.8% for 2024 and 1.5% for 2025 for the euro zone, showing that Germany has become a laggard in the bloc, after being the only major economy to suffer a contraction last year.
Lindner said Germany's economic weakness has consequences for security and geopolitics.
"We need the economic turnaround because, in the end, economic strength is also a factor in geopolitics," Lindner said at his party's conference in Berlin, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine.
"Putin's goal is to exert power over us, and we must never allow that to happen," he said. But to have the necessary means against it, economic growth is needed, he said.

EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company), a leading company in the integrated coordination of planning, purchasing and supply of water and electricity across the UAE, today announced the award for its 1.5 gigawatt (AC) Al Ajban Solar PV Independent Power Project, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The development of the utility-scale solar power plant was awarded to an international consortium of EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power Company (KOWEPO), and Masdar as the local shareholder. Following the award the project’s Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was signed between EWEC and stakeholders, WAM said.

The signing took place at the World Future Energy Summit in the presence of Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar and COP28 President; Hamad Al Hammadi, Chairman of EWEC; and Luc Rémont, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EDF Group.

The agreement was signed by Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC; Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar Chief Executive Officer; Beatrice Buffon, Vice-President in Charge of the International Division and Chief Executive Officer of EDF Renewables, and Park, Hyung Duck, Chief Executive Officer of KOWEPO.

EWEC awarded the Al Ajban Solar PV contract after a comprehensive procurement process. The PPA is structured as an energy purchase agreement whereby EWEC will pay only for the net electrical energy supplied by the plant. Under the terms of the PPA, the consortium will design, finance, build and operate the plant, which will be located in Al Ajban, 70km northeast of Abu Dhabi.

Once commercially operational in Q3 2026, Al Ajban Solar PV will make the UAE home to four of the world’s largest single-site solar power plants, with three of them located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The project will generate enough electricity to power 160,000 households across the UAE and is expected to reduce Abu Dhabi’s carbon emissions by 2.4 million metric tons per year.