logo
Arcapita signs strategic partnership with King Abdullah Economic City to Develop Industrial Facilities

Arcapita signs strategic partnership with King Abdullah Economic City to Develop Industrial Facilities

Zawya19-02-2025

Arcapita, the global alternative investment firm, and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony held in Bahrain. This strategic collaboration will focus on developing state-of-the-art warehousing facilities, promoting the Industrial Valley's growth, enhancing operational capabilities within KAEC and the Kingdom, fostering innovation, and attracting foreign investment.
Under the terms of the MoU, Arcapita will leverage its expertise in creating high-quality built-to-suit industrial real estate facilities and oversee the development of warehouses tailored to meet the requirements of potential tenants, further contributing to the region's industrial and logistical growth.
The MoU was signed by Eng. Majid Abdullah Matbouly, Chief Officer of the Industrial Valley & KAEC Special Economic Zone, and Isa Al Khalifa, Director of MENA Real Estate at Arcapita. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to building world-class industrial infrastructure and driving sustainable development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Eng. Majid Abdullah Matbouly, Chief Industrial Valley & KAEC Special Economic Zone Officer, said: ' This MoU is a significant step in KAEC's mission to develop a leading industrial and economic powerhouse. With Arcapita's proven expertise in global and regional asset management, we are confident this partnership will elevate the Industrial Valley's service offerings, competitiveness, and global appeal.'
The partnership will provide KAEC access to Arcapita's global network of blue-chip tenants, attracting high-quality investors. Additionally, the development will include ESG-compliant warehousing projects ensuring environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. It will also enable participation in a growing portfolio of flagship assets that offer attractive risk-adjusted returns.
In addition to infrastructure development, the MoU outlines key promotional and operational roles for KAEC and Arcapita. As a strategic partner, KAEC will coordinate involvement in KAEC-related activities and conferences. This agreement is expected to generate substantial economic and industrial growth opportunities for the Industrial Valley, further solidifying its status as Saudi Arabia's premier industrial hub.
Isa Al Khalifa, Director of MENA Real Estate at Arcapita, said: 'We are pleased to collaborate with KAEC. Together, we aim to establish modern industrial facilities that align with global standards, delivering innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions to our partners and stakeholders.'
This partnership is a significant step for KAEC, underlining its commitment to building a world-class industrial ecosystem. By collaborating with Arcapita, KAEC will improve its potential to attract foreign investors, offer cutting-edge ESG-compliant warehousing solutions, and expand its offer to tenants and enterprises. This collaboration not only reaffirms KAEC's pivotal role in driving the industrialization of the Saudi economy but also lays the foundation for a new era of sustainable development, innovation, and global partnerships.
-Ends-
Contacts
Arcapita
Tariq Hayat
Brunswick Group
Tamara Malaeb
arcapita@brunswickgroup.com
King Abdullah Economic City
Mediarelations.kaec.net
About Arcapita
Arcapita is a global alternative investments firm focused on private equity and real estate, with a track record of over 30 years and a total transaction value of more than $32 billion. Arcapita has offices in the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Singapore, as well as affiliated offices in Bahrain.
www.arcapita.com
About King Abdullah Economic City
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is one of the most prominent modern cities, offering a contemporary lifestyle and unique tourism experiences, while also serving as a cutting-edge hub for manufacturing and logistics services. Spanning a vast area of 185 million square meters along the Red Sea coast, north of Jeddah, it stands as a pioneering model for integrated economic cities.
With its advanced infrastructure and investment-friendly regulatory environment, KAEC serves as an ideal platform for achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, combining urban sophistication with promising economic opportunities. It holds a distinguished position among global economic cities and aspires to be a major driver of socio-economic development in Saudi Arabia.
KAEC plays a significant role in attracting foreign investments, boosting the tourism sector, creating job opportunities, fostering local content development, and increasing non-oil exports through the companies operating within the city and its Industrial and Logistics Hub, which includes the Industrial Valley, KAEC Special Economic Zone and King Abdullah Port.
Thanks to its strategic location on the Red Sea coast, the city serves as a vital hub for global trade in the region. It boasts seamless connectivity with King Abdullah Port, the Haramain High-Speed Railway, and the Saudi National Highway network. KAEC exemplifies Saudi Arabia's ambition to build a prosperous future through effective public-private partnerships, making it a cornerstone in realizing the aspirations of Vision 2030.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Deal to boost financing for future green infrastructure projects in UAE
Deal to boost financing for future green infrastructure projects in UAE

Gulf Today

time3 hours ago

  • Gulf Today

Deal to boost financing for future green infrastructure projects in UAE

Emirates NBD (ENBD) has partnered with Siemens to announce an innovative finance and resourcing agreement aimed at accelerating the funding of future green infrastructure projects in the UAE. The agreement is the culmination of an extensive and strategic collaboration that synergises technology, sustainability, and finance, and is fully aligned with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. Emirates NBD was approached by Siemens to develop and design the administrative, technical and structural aspects of the agreement. This collaboration resulted in the creation of a unique credit framework, complemented by an innovative suite of financing tools. These resources will support green infrastructure projects from installation through their entire lifecycle, including decarbonisation efforts. Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Wholesale Banking at Emirates NBD, said, 'Emirates NBD's role in developing this expansive agreement with Siemens highlights our commitment to helping the UAE reach its sustainability and decarbonisation ambitions. It reinforces our goal to expand important working relationships with multinational conglomerates that share our ESG vision and are eager to establish new opportunities for growth within the fields of energy efficiency and sustainable technologies.' Helmut von Struve, CEO of Siemens in the UAE, said, 'Decarbonising infrastructure is a critical part of achieving the energy transition. The technologies required to accelerate energy efficiency progress are available today, but implementation needs to speed up to reach global goals.' At the end of last month, Al Fanar Gas Group, the energy arm of EHC Investment, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Siemens Energy, to jointly advance decarbonisation and clean energy innovation across the UAE. The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the World Utilities Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, supports the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy. The two companies will co-develop clean energy solutions that integrate advanced digital technologies into energy and industrial infrastructure, with a focus on areas such as hydrogen and Power-to-X, flare gas management, and port and vessel electrification. These efforts will be backed by rigorous feasibility studies to identify scalable solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into existing energy networks. The collaboration will also leverage Siemens Energy's global expertise in digitalizsation to introduce intelligent systems that optimise energy consumption, monitor emissions, and streamline operations - accelerating the energy transition in a practical and measurable way. Khaled Ben Said, CEO of Al Fanar Gas Group, commented, 'This partnership is not just about technology - it's about responsibility. As a UAE company, we see it as our duty to help shape an energy future that reflects the values and ambitions of our leadership.' 'Working with Siemens Energy allows us to pair local insight with global innovation to address the region's most pressing energy challenges. This MoU is a commitment to actionable progress - not in the distant future but starting now.' Khalid Bin Hadi, Managing Director for the UAE, Siemens Energy, said, 'The MoU reflects our commitment to working with regional partners to explore practical pathways towards decarbonisation. We look forward to collaborating with Al Fanar Gas Group to identify solutions that are both scalable and aligned with the UAE's long-term sustainability objectives.' Earlier Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Menat (Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye) region, has partnered with Sidara, a global collaborative of specialist architecture, engineering and consulting brands, to arrange a $50 million Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL). Aligning Sidara's financial strategy with its sustainability objectives, this strategic move marks Sidara's first SLL and positions the company as one of the first movers to enter the green finance market in the region. The new loan structure ties financial incentives to Sidara's sustainability performance, encouraging the company to adopt more responsible and more sustainable operational practices. The proceeds of the loan will fund Sidara's working capital requirements and will prominently include allocations dedicated to supporting Sidara's transition towards net zero operations, in line with its global commitment to the World Green Building Council's Net Zero Buildings Commitment as well as the UAE Pledge for Net Zero. Pri McNair, Group Co-Head of Coverage at Emirates NBD, commented, 'By supporting Sidara in transitioning their regional operations and service offerings towards greater environmental sustainability, Emirates NBD is once again showing that it is at the forefront of driving significant change, both in propelling clients' growth towards more environmentally friendly financial practices, and also in shaping a more sustainable world. WAM

How to build a workforce to deliver on the GCC's ESG ambitions
How to build a workforce to deliver on the GCC's ESG ambitions

Gulf Business

time7 hours ago

  • Gulf Business

How to build a workforce to deliver on the GCC's ESG ambitions

Image: Supplied The GCC is making bold strides toward a more sustainable future, with companies increasingly prioritising environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. Yet a critical challenge looms: the widening green skills gap threatens to slow momentum and hinder the region's ambitious goals. Organisations across the region are recognising the need to scale their ESG capabilities, not only to build long-term resilience, but also to drive value creation. At the same time, governments are rolling out national net-zero agendas and introducing new regulatory frameworks to accelerate ESG adoption. There is a growing consensus that strong ESG performance is essential for organisations to stay competitive and appealing to investors, customers, and other key stakeholders. As economic diversification and decarbonisation efforts take root, GCC countries are embracing advances in AI and automation to fast-track their green transition. This shift has driven a surge in demand for sustainability and ESG professionals, particularly those with expertise in climate risk management, sustainable finance, and corporate governance. ESG outlook: Green job growth is outstripping workforce readiness However, talent pipelines are struggling to keep pace. Green job growth is outstripping workforce readiness, with a shortage of skills threatening to stall progress. In fact, The Green skills are not only in demand — they're also proving to be a hiring advantage. According to LinkedIn, candidates with green skills or titles are Despite this, a clear generational gap is emerging: while 61 per cent of Gen Z workers globally aspire to work in a green job within the next five years, only 1 in 20 currently possess green skills, and less than half have access to relevant training programs. The shortage spans both technical and soft skills, from renewable energy engineering, carbon accounting, and environmental management to collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Companies increasingly view green capabilities not as a 'nice to have' but as business-critical for attracting investment, meeting regulatory requirements, and remaining competitive in a fast-evolving global economy. Another Addressing this challenge will require a coordinated effort across governments, businesses, and educational institutions. Encouragingly, GCC countries are stepping up, launching upskilling programs and forging partnerships with global organizations to develop the workforce of the future. Initiatives like Specific national initiatives are helping drive this momentum. The Similarly, Vital to learn news tools to thrive With Online learning platforms offer a scalable, accessible solution. Through flexible training pathways, they can deliver targeted skill development in areas such as climate risk, renewable energy, and sustainable finance, empowering individuals and organisations to lead the green transition. Educational institutions also play a vital role. By integrating ESG into core curricula — embedding CSR into marketing and finance programs, for instance—and offering specialized training aligned to regional needs, they can prepare learners to meet the GCC's unique sustainability challenges. To realise its ESG ambitions, the GCC must close the green skills gap. Government policies are laying a strong foundation, but businesses and educators must move in lockstep to equip the workforce with the practical, job-ready skills needed to implement sustainability at scale. This will be key to unlocking long-term growth, innovation, and resilience across the region. The writer is Coursera's GM for the Middle East and Africa.

Emirates NBD Partners with Siemens to Boost Green Infrastructure Funding in UAE
Emirates NBD Partners with Siemens to Boost Green Infrastructure Funding in UAE

Hi Dubai

time8 hours ago

  • Hi Dubai

Emirates NBD Partners with Siemens to Boost Green Infrastructure Funding in UAE

Emirates NBD has joined forces with Siemens to launch a pioneering finance and resourcing agreement aimed at accelerating green infrastructure development across the UAE. The agreement marks the outcome of a strategic collaboration that blends finance, technology, and sustainability in support of the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. It introduces a unique credit framework and a tailored suite of financing tools designed to fund green projects from initial installation through their full lifecycle, including decarbonisation efforts. Siemens approached Emirates NBD to help design the structural, technical, and administrative backbone of the agreement. The result is a forward-looking financial model that enables greater access to capital for sustainable infrastructure. Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Wholesale Banking at Emirates NBD, said the deal reflects the bank's commitment to supporting the UAE's climate ambitions and deepening partnerships with global firms that share its ESG values. 'By working closely with Siemens, we're unlocking new opportunities in energy efficiency and sustainable technologies,' he said. Helmut von Struve, CEO of Siemens in the UAE, emphasised the importance of speeding up implementation of existing energy-efficient technologies to meet global climate targets. 'Decarbonising infrastructure is essential to the energy transition,' he noted. The partnership reinforces both organisations' roles in driving sustainable innovation and creating scalable solutions for the UAE's evolving green economy. News Source: Emirates News Agency

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store