Saudi Arabia: King Abdullah Eco. City.. Important global trade route project
The KAEC strategic location made it a unique due to the fact that around 13 percent of global trade would go through it, making one of the main gates linking markets in China through the Belt and Road initiative to developing markets in the African continent.
The KAEC's initial seed was planted in 2006 by late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud as part of the 2023 economic cities initiative and itآ's constructed on an area of around 60 square kilometers.
The KAEC consists of an economic city, special economic zone, as well as the King Abdullah port.
The KAEC attracts major world companies of added investment value due to its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business incentives.
The special economic zone, for instance, provides tax exemptions and full foreign ownership with competitive prices for services, which allows companies in the region to increase operation capacity and focus on growth and creativity.
As for the port, it is the second largest one on the Red Sea and was ranked by the World Bank in 2022 as the biggest container capacity port in the world.
The city is aiming to become a leading investment hub in the Saudi kingdom via its offering unique investment opportunities and business in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Along with its business and investment atmosphere, the KAEC has housing projects, excellent hotels, entertainment facilities.
The city's industrial valley hosts over 100 companies from across the globe, solidifying its status as a focal point for economy, investments, and major industries.
Within the Saudi file to host the 2034 FIFA World, the KAEC would be home for a grand football stadium, which could hold 45,000 spectators, providing a unique experience.
The KAEC is linked to the Haramain High Speed Railway, taking passengers to Holy Sites in Makkah and Madina in addition to Jeddah and King Abdulaziz International Airport.
The King Abdullah Economic City aims to become a smart city via its advance infrastructure using fiber optics and advance telecommunication in addition to other technological advancements.
On the industrial level, the KAEC established the very first full assembly for automotive parts in the Kingdom, attracting global vehicle companies.
The Saudi leadership recently announced the KAEC's King Salman Automotive Cluster, which is deemed as an important component for diversifying the Kingdom's non-oil income.
All KUNA right are reserved © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hi Dubai
an hour ago
- Hi Dubai
DP World Signs Deal with ITOCHU to Expand Logistics and Supply Chains in Africa
DP World has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese trading giant ITOCHU Corporation to enhance logistics, supply chain infrastructure, and distribution capabilities across sub-Saharan Africa. The agreement was finalized at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan. The MoU will see both companies explore opportunities to improve connectivity and market access across Africa, supporting Japanese businesses aiming to establish or expand their presence on the continent. Initial discussions are focused on fleet and logistics operations, supply chain optimization, and the distribution of commodities and food products. DP World operates across 48 African countries, managing a network of ports, terminals, warehouses, and trucks. The company has invested over $3 billion in infrastructure development, with another $3 billion planned over the next three to five years to boost intra-Africa trade and link African markets to global supply chains. ITOCHU, headquartered in Tokyo, has extensive experience in commodities, wholesale trade, and consumer goods across Africa. Its diverse portfolio includes textiles, machinery, energy, chemicals, foods, and general consumer goods, positioning it to support Japanese companies expanding into African markets. Beat Simon, DP World's Group Chief Operating Officer, Logistics, said: 'Africa represents one of the most dynamic growth frontiers for global trade. This collaboration with ITOCHU reflects a shared vision to unlock value by combining our infrastructure and logistics expertise with ITOCHU's commercial experience to create deeper connections between Africa and Japan.' Shinya Ishizuka, CEO of Africa Bloc at ITOCHU Corporation, added: 'We hope that this collaboration will not only lead to further projects between the two parties, but also serve as a bridge between Japanese companies seeking to expand into Africa and the African market.' The MoU marks the start of a deeper partnership between DP World and ITOCHU, aimed at strengthening supply chains and supporting sustainable economic growth across the continent. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Luxury tourism in Africa ‘causing more harm than good', new research warns
Efforts by some African nations to attract luxury tourism have delivered limited benefits for local communities, with new research by the University of Manchester suggesting it often causes more harm than good. The study, published in African Studies Review, found that profits largely flow overseas while local workers and suppliers see little impact. All-inclusive resorts cut off from local life Many African governments target luxury tourism development, describing it as "high-value, low-impact," but the research found that this is not always the case. All-inclusive resorts are often isolated from local communities, hire few local workers, and prevent tourists from spending in nearby areas by providing everything on-site. Foreign ownership and inequality The most profitable eco-lodges were foreign-owned, with much of tourist spending flowing to overseas travel agencies, imported food, or repatriated profits. Luxury tourism can deepen inequality, concentrating profits among foreign operators or a small local elite, while wages for most tourism jobs remain low. Local tensions rise The issue is fueling tensions on the ground. Last week, a local activist filed a lawsuit to block the opening of a new Ritz-Carlton luxury safari lodge in Kenya's Maasai Mara reserve. In Kenya, locals have raised concerns about land grabs by wealthy investors. In Tanzania, protests against the eviction of tens of thousands of Maasai to make way for hunting lodges have led to deadly clashes with police. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Unlocking the AI advantage in HR, a guide for SMMEs
Let's start with a bold truth: AI isn't the future of HR—it's already here, changing the way we work right now. And if you're a small or medium enterprise still sitting on the fence, you're not just behind—you're at risk of being left behind. But here's the kicker: this isn't a story about big corporates cornering the AI market. This is a story about South African SMMEs winning with AI—smartly, ethically, and with a compliance lens built in from day one. From buzzword to bottom line Artificial intelligence in HR is no longer just about tech jargon or sci-fi fantasy. It's streamlining recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and even mental health interventions. A 2025 study by Black Rocket Consult found that South African SMEs using AI in HR functions are seeing up to 30% time savings in administrative tasks—and a measurable increase in employee satisfaction when AI is used to personalise internal communication and feedback loops. Think about it. We've spent years building policies, processes, and people strategies designed to be 'human-centric.' Ironically, AI is helping us deliver on that promise better than ever before—by freeing HR from repetitive admin and redirecting focus to people, culture, and purpose. The psychology of resistance—and why you need to push through Let's get psychological for a second. Human beings have a negativity bias—we're hardwired to weigh potential losses more heavily than potential gains. That's why SMMEs are often scared of AI: job losses, compliance risks, loss of control. But that fear, while natural, is not always rational. What we're seeing in practice is that AI doesn't replace HR—it elevates it. The SMEs that win in this space don't ask, 'What if AI breaks our system?' They ask, 'What if it makes our system sing?' PoPIA, power, and the ethics of automation Of course, fear isn't completely unfounded. AI without compliance is a ticking time bomb. SMMEs need to ensure AI is implemented responsibly—aligned with PoPIA (the Promotion of Access to Information Act), and ethical frameworks that prioritise transparency, consent, and human oversight. Audit trails, algorithmic transparency, and bias detection must be built into your workflows. Because no tool—no matter how smart—is worth the risk if it puts your employees' data or dignity in danger. Ethical AI is not a nice-to-have. It's a non-negotiable. The bottom line: Be excited, but be ready The truth? SMMEs should be excited—but not naïve. AI can give you an edge in the talent war, turbocharge efficiency, and elevate your employee experience. But it needs structure, strategy, and legal guardrails. If you're not planning your AI journey, you're planning to be outpaced. But don't panic—just start smart. Because the rise of AI in HR is inevitable. But how you rise with it? That's entirely in your hands.
