Saudi Arabia launches aviation industry cluster in Jeddah to drive advanced manufacturing
RIYADH: The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones has revealed plans for a 1.2 million sq. m aviation industry cluster at MODON Oasis in Jeddah.
This ambitious project, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the General Authority of Civil Aviation, aims to localize cutting-edge aviation technologies and strengthen the sector's supply chains.
The announcement, made during the ongoing Aerospace Connect Forum, was attended by GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Khalil bin Ibrahim bin Salamah, deputy minister of industry and mineral resources for industrial affairs, and MODON CEO Majed Al-Argoubi.
Strategically located near King Abdulaziz International Airport and Jeddah Islamic Port, the aviation cluster is poised to offer an attractive investment landscape for aerospace manufacturing. The site will feature ready-built factories of varying sizes, designed to accommodate companies in the aviation sector and drive the localization of this vital industry.
This initiative is in line with Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Strategy, Aviation Strategy, and Tourism Strategy, which collectively aim to position the Kingdom as a leading global aviation hub. The broader goal is to transform Saudi Arabia into a center for air transport, handling 30 million passengers and 2 million tonnes of air cargo annually.
MODON, in its commitment to advancing the aviation sector, is participating as a 'Gold Partner' in the inaugural Aerospace Connect Forum, which runs in Jeddah until Feb. 25. The event is bringing together prominent local and international aviation experts, fostering a platform for knowledge exchange and business collaboration.
In addition to its efforts in aviation, MODON has also recently launched a food industry cluster in Jeddah, spanning over 11 million sq. m in the city's second and third industrial zones. According to the Saudi Press Agency, this project is the world's largest food industry cluster by area, supporting Vision 2030's goals to enhance food security and industrial growth.
The new aviation industry cluster marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's strategy to boost industrial competitiveness, drive economic growth, and localize critical technologies, reinforcing the Kingdom's leadership in the global aviation sector.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Port of NEOM installs 1st automated cranes, targets 2026 launch
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's $500-billion giga-project NEOM has installed the Kingdom's first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes at its Red Sea port as it moves ahead with plans to begin operations in 2026. The delivery of next-generation ship-to-shore and electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes marks a key milestone in the development of Terminal 1, which will accommodate the world's largest container ships. NEOM is aiming to position the facility as a global logistics hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. The facility supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by contributing to economic diversification through enhanced trade, logistics, and industrial capabilities. As global supply chains shift toward resilience and efficiency, NEOM's strategic Red Sea location positions it as a vital link between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Sean Kelly, managing director of Port of NEOM, said: 'The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port.' He added: 'We're not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but we're also setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, innovation and establishing a vital trade gateway for the Kingdom and the region beyond.' The new cranes will enable high-efficiency operations while allowing remote control from ergonomic workstations. Infrastructure developments, including a 900-meter quay wall and an 18.5-meter-deep channel, ensure the port can handle the largest vessels transiting the Suez Canal. Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation, boosting logistics capacity and regional industrial growth. Alongside infrastructure upgrades, the port is investing in local talent development. A specialized program is training Saudi workers, including women, for high-tech roles such as remote crane operations. Ten participants from Saudi Arabia's Tabuk region are currently in a two-year program combining technical training and mentorship. Trainee Hajjer Alatawi said: 'This experience has shown me that port logistics is far more complex than just moving cargo; it's about teamwork, precision and responsibility. Seeing more Saudi women entering this space gives me hope for a future where industries are defined by skills, not gender.' The press release added that by empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, 'Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM's vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.'
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
HungerStation records milestone achievements in 2025, reinforcing leadership in quick commerce
Ali Al-Damanhouri, CEO of HungerStation, announced through his official accounts on X and LinkedIn that HungerStation — a leading Saudi tech and delivery company — has achieved a series of significant milestones in 2025, further strengthening its position as a key driver of quick commerce transformation across the Kingdom. Al-Damanhouri said that these accomplishments reflect the trust of customers, the strength of strategic partnerships, and the efficiency of the team leading the company's journey toward broader horizons of innovation and sustainable growth in the delivery sector. In recent months, HungerStation has achieved remarkable results across various fronts, including: The announcement concluded by affirming that these milestones mark the beginning of a new phase of smart growth and technological innovation, aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. These achievements further cement HungerStation's role as a pioneering company shaping the future of Saudi Arabia's digital and logistics ecosystem — a future that is being written today, with HungerStation leading the transformation.
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
droppRWA and RAFAL Real Estate set to launch Saudi Arabia's first Tokenized Real Estate Transaction
droppRWA, a subsidiary of droppGroup, the world's leading provider of sovereign-grade Web3 AI and blockchain infrastructure, today announced a landmark partnership with RAFAL Real Estate Co., one of Saudi Arabia's leading developers, to execute the Kingdom's first-ever Real World Asset (RWA) tokenization transaction. This transaction is not just a technological milestone; it is a strategic inflection point. The RAFAL pilot will serve as a national feasibility benchmark for the future of tokenized property markets in Saudi Arabia. Redefining real estate ownership, the collaboration aims to introduce fractional ownership of high-value real estate assets, enabling Saudi citizens to invest everyday with amounts starting as low as single-digit riyals. This democratized access model aligns directly with Vision 2030's goals of financial inclusion, digital transformation and citizen empowerment. The initiative is also designed to attract institutional-grade foreign capital through compliant digital rails, unlocking trillions in both local and foreign direct investment (FDI) capital through a fully regulated, blockchain-based investment channel. From feasibility to future state under the terms of the agreement: droppRWA, in collaboration with leading consultancies, will conduct a full feasibility study for property tokenization across RAFAL's portfolio. A fully regulated proof-of-concept will be developed and executed, with RAFAL supplying live real estate assets for controlled transaction testing. Faisal Al Monai, droppRWA Co-Founder, said: "This transaction marks a paradigm shift. Around the world, we are witnessing the greatest digital transformation of the 21st century - the transformation of capital itself. The mission of this partnership positions Saudi Arabia at the forefront of programmable economies, with real-world impact for every citizen - starting at just 1 riyal. Elias Abousamra – CEO, RAFAL Real Estate: "At RAFAL, we have always believed that real estate should be both aspirational and accessible. This partnership with droppRWA is not just about technology - it's about democratizing real estate investment and creating a global platform for foreign direct investment into the promising Saudi market. For the first time, a young Saudi can own a piece of a premium development with just a few riyals. That's a powerful idea. Together with our partners, we are proud to pioneer a new model of ownership that speaks to the inclusive and innovative spirit of Vision 2030. Built for Vision 2030, this initiative directly supports multiple pillars from the Vision 2030 initiative: Digital Infrastructure: Bringing a sovereign-grade blockchain system powered by advanced AI to real estate markets Capital Market Sophistication: Introducing compliant, blockchain-based investment instruments Citizen Empowerment: Enabling Saudis to co-own real estate with accessible digital investment rails Foreign Investment Attraction: Establishing trusted infrastructure for institutional-grade RWA flows This transaction is more than a milestone - it's a signal. A new era of programmable economies is unfolding, where access to wealth is no longer gated by privilege but powered by code. With this step, Saudi Arabia positions itself not just as a participant in the future of finance, but as one of its leading architects. RAFAL is one of Saudi Arabia's leading real estate developers, known for shaping vibrant, high-quality lifestyle communities. Since its establishment in 2007, RAFAL has earned a strong reputation for excellence, with the backing of respected partners including Lafana, A.K. Al Muhaidib & Sons Group, and Arabian Tawazon. Guided by a commitment to luxury, reliability, and forward-thinking design, RAFAL continues to set new standards in the Kingdom's real estate landscape. droppRWA is a strategic subsidiary of droppGroup, designed as the institutional on-and-off ramp for foreign direct investment into sovereign economies. This sovereign-grade tokenization ecosystem enables regulatory-grade trust and real-time settlement across real-world assets, from commodities and real estate to sovereign debt, unlocking compliant, cross-border capital flows for governments and enterprises.
