Latest news with #localization
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: EDO seeks partners to support energy transition, ICV
MUSCAT: An Omani delegation comprising officials from Energy Development Oman (EDO), the wholly government-owned energy sector holding company, and the General Secretariat of the Tender Board, has embarked on a visit to Japan to meet with executives of two major conglomerates – Sumitomo Corporation and Nippon Steel. EDO said in a post on Sunday that the visit is part of efforts to efforts to 'develop strategic partnerships and enhance the localization of manufacturing in the energy sector'. Affiliated to the Ministry of Finance, EDO owns 60 per cent of the Block 6 concession operated by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), 100 per cent of Block 6's non-associated gas concession, and 100 per cent of Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom), the master-planner of the Sultanate's green hydrogen industry. Significantly, discussions with the Japanese corporations encompass a wide range of objectives relevant to, among other areas, the energy transition, local manufacturing, and national capacity building. 'The visit's agenda includes several sessions addressing advanced industries supporting the energy sector, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, as well as the development of integrated industrial parks. This visit reflects (EDO's) direction toward building a comprehensive industrial base, founded on knowledge transfer, role integration, and long-term collaboration that contributes to empowering national capabilities and enhancing the sector's readiness,' said EDO. 'During the visit, the company presented the Local Content Framework and Oman's readiness to host high-quality industrial investments, strengthening its position as a competitive hub in global energy value chains,' it further added. Both Sumitomo Corporation and Nippon Steel are longstanding suppliers of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) - pipes and casings used in oil and gas drilling and production operations – for Oman's hydrocarbon sector. EDO, by virtue of its majority shareholding in PDO, is one of the largest customers for OCTG hardware. The supply arrangement with PDO dates back to around 2003 when Sumitomo Corporation, together with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMC), signed deals to provide high quality OCTG goods to Oman's national oil company. A specialized storage area for OCTGs was also established in Port of Duqm's logistics zone as part of a 'Mill to Well' model designed to optimize supply chain efficiencies linked to the supply of these pipes to PDO. Earlier this year, EDO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sumitomo Corporation Middle East to explore the localisation of OCTG manufacturing in Oman. The MoU also aimed to strengthen local manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on imports. Another large consumer of OCTG is BP, which operates the tight-gas fields of Block 61. In July 2018, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMC) forged a strategic partnership for the supply of OCTG to BP Exploration (Epsilon) Limited of Oman (BP Oman). 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arab News
26-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia launches joint venture to produce high-voltage insulators
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia's power sector is set to receive a significant boost following the launch of a new joint venture aimed at localizing the production of high-voltage porcelain insulators, a key component in the Kingdom's push to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports. The agreement, signed under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy, brings together China's Dalian Insulators Group, Power Union Co. — a subsidiary of Al-Ojaimi Industrial Group — and the Saudi firm Greengrid. The consortium will establish a new facility within the Kingdom to produce high-voltage and extra-high-voltage suspension porcelain insulators used in electricity transmission and distribution networks. The deal was formalized by Salem Mohammed Al-Ojaimi, CEO of Al-Ojaimi Industrial Group, and Chen Junrong, chairman and general manager of Dalian Insulators Group. Under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy, a joint venture agreement has been signed to advance localization in the conventional power sector. — وزارة الطاقة (@MoEnergy_Saudi) May 25, 2025 The initiative aligns closely with Saudi Arabia's economic diversification plan that emphasizes local industry development, reduced import dependency, and private sector engagement. The venture is expected to reinforce local energy supply chains, reduce operational costs, and generate employment opportunities within the power sector. In a statement on X, the Ministry of Energy said the agreement seeks to 'enhance local manufacturing capabilities in the conventional power sector to achieve the goal of localizing energy sector components by 2030.' The initiative is part of Nuwatin — Arabic for 'We Localize' — a flagship program under the Energy Localization initiative, unveiled at the Energy Localization Forum in Riyadh last October. It aims to guide energy companies toward national localization targets, including expanding industrial capacity, increasing GDP contribution, boosting exports, and improving the trade balance. Porcelain insulators are vital to the reliability and safety of high-voltage transmission lines, providing both mechanical and electrical stability. Local production is expected to enhance grid resilience, reduce long-term infrastructure costs, and accelerate the development of a self-reliant domestic energy industry. Established in 1915, Dalian Insulators Group is a leading Chinese manufacturer of high-voltage insulators and has been publicly listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange since 2011. The company has supplied more than eight million porcelain insulators to major transmission projects globally, including China's 1,000kV UHV AC and 800kV DC lines. As Saudi Arabia continues its transition to a more diversified and resilient energy economy, this joint venture represents a strategic step forward in strengthening industrial cooperation and advancing energy sector localization.
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt's minister inaugurates Golden Avenue garment factory, accelerates industrial development in Minya
Egypt - Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, toured key industrial sites in Minya, highlighting Egypt's ongoing push to localize manufacturing and expand infrastructure in Upper Egypt. Al-Wazir began by visiting the Giza Company for Upper Egypt Development, a textile and ready-made garments factory that serves as a flagship example of successful local investment. Spanning 46,000 square meters and employing 2,500 workers, the factory has achieved a 50% local content rate, which Al-Wazir hailed as a major milestone in Egypt's industrial development strategy. He then officially inaugurated the Golden Avenue factory, a $3.5m Egyptian-Vietnamese joint venture specializing in the production of padded jackets for export to Europe and the United States. The facility currently employs 350 workers, with plans to grow its workforce to 1,500 by the end of the year. Following the inaugurations, Al-Wazir inspected the Matahra Industrial Zone, which spans 8 million square meters and hosts 621 projects across multiple sectors. He also reviewed proposed utility works at a 306-feddan expansion site designated for new industrial development. As part of broader investment facilitation measures, the minister announced that 16 vacant plots in the Matahra zone will be made available via the Egypt Industrial Digital Platform on June 1, 2025. Additionally, a small industries complex—comprising 68 units for food, engineering, and textile production—recently concluded a leasing round that ran from 1 to 22 May 2025. Al-Wazir stressed the urgency of accelerating development in Matahra, citing its strategic location near major transportation routes and export hubs, including Safaga Port (250 km), Ain Sokhna Port (300 km), Minya Railway Station (40 km), and Assiut Airport (130 km). Plans are underway to add 1.2 million square meters to the zone, creating Upper Egypt's first textile-focused industrial area. To ensure accountability, Al-Wazir ordered the formation of a joint inspection committee to verify that allocated industrial plots are being developed on schedule. Lands left idle or misused will be reclaimed and reallocated to serious investors to curb speculation and accelerate productive use. The minister also inspected progress on the Western Upper Egypt Desert Road, a transformative infrastructure project stretching 1,226 kilometers. He visited the Dairut–Asyut segment, which is 72 kilometers long and now 75% complete. This section will ultimately feature six lanes—three for main traffic and three for service—across a 46-meter-wide corridor. Progress along the route is advancing steadily. The Cairo–Minya segment, covering 230 kilometers, was inaugurated in December 2021. The 60-kilometer Minya–Qusiya section opened in March 2023. The 57-kilometer Qusiya–Asyut section is now 75% complete. Work is progressing on the 113-kilometer stretch between Luxor and Sibaiya, while the 215-kilometer Aswan–Toshka section has reached 23% completion. The Sibaiya–Edfu segment (25 kilometers) and the Edfu–Aswan section (87.5 kilometers) are scheduled for completion by March 2025. The remaining segments, including the 336 kilometers from Asyut to Luxor and 103 kilometers from Toshka to Arqin, are currently in the planning phase. So far, 402.5 kilometers of the road have been completed, 385 kilometers are under development, and 439 kilometers are planned for future construction. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
23-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ADNOC's suppliers commit to invest $817mln in manufacturing facilities
ABU DHABI - ADNOC announced today that its partners across its supply chain commit to invest AED3 billion ($817 million) in manufacturing facilities across the UAE. The announcement was made at the 'Make it in the Emirates' forum currently underway in Abu Dhabi. The facilities are located across Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), Dubai Industrial Park, Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) and Umm Al Qaiwain. They will create more than 3,500 highly skilled private sector jobs and manufacture a wide range of industrial products including pressure vessels, pipe coatings and fasteners. The facilities have been enabled by commercial agreements ADNOC signed with the companies under its In-Country Value (ICV) programme. The ICV programme is providing a platform for businesses to capitalise on ADNOC's diverse commercial opportunities as it delivers on its plan to locally manufacture AED90 billion ($24.5 billion) worth of products in its procurement pipeline by 2030. Yaser Saeed Almazrouei, ADNOC Executive Director, People, Commercial and Corporate Support, said, 'We welcome our partners' commitment to advancing local manufacturing through their investments in these state-of-the-art facilities which will strengthen the UAE's industrial base and create highly skilled private sector jobs. These investments reflect ADNOC's ongoing drive to support the 'Make it in the Emirates' initiative and localise strategic industrial capabilities through our In-Country Value programme. We look forward to working with our partners to ensure business continuity and unlock further opportunities for sustainable growth and economic diversification.' The facilities include newly operational sites, major expansions and investment commitments. The state-of-the art facilities are aligned with ADNOC's current and future procurement requirements, underscoring its support for the 'Make it in the Emirates' initiative. The announcement builds on the success of ADNOC's ICV programme, which has driven AED242 billion back into the UAE economy and enabled 17,000 jobs for UAE Nationals in the private sector since 2018. Manufacturers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs are encouraged to explore the 'Make it with ADNOC' app, which provides businesses with visibility into the products ADNOC plans to purchase, offering a more streamlined and integrated procurement process.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Entertainment Without Borders: AI-Media and Lightning International Join Forces to Make FAST Channels Accessible to Everyone
SYDNEY and HONG KONG, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AI-Media Technologies Limited ('AI-Media'), a global leader in live captioning and translation solutions, has entered a groundbreaking partnership with Lightning International ('Lightning'), the leading distributor of Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) channels. This collaboration aims to break down barriers and bring the joy of entertainment to every corner of the globe, and enhance revenue opportunities for FAST platforms and content owners, transforming how premium content is distributed and monetized across diverse markets. Solving Accessibility and Localization Challenges Imagine viewers in Germany - or anywhere in the world - accessing the latest news in real time, with no language barriers. This partnership addresses key challenges for FAST platforms: delivering premium, localized content to a global audience and increasing accessibility for all viewers from heart-pounding action movies to the latest chart-topping music, and even adorable pets. Leveraging AI-Media's LEXI and LEXI Translate solutions, content is localized in real-time with live-translated captions burned directly into the feed, making it accessible in over 50 languages. For example, a channel previously limited to English-speaking markets, can now reach fans worldwide by offering live-translated captions in French, German, Italian, Japanese, and more. This opens new distribution channels, expands viewership, and enables content monetization in previously inaccessible markets. Tony Abrahams, CEO of AI-Media, said 'This partnership with Lightning International is a game-changer for the FAST industry. By making premium content accessible and localized in real-time, we are helping platforms grow audiences and increase revenue while making global content truly inclusive.' Transformative Benefits for FAST Platforms and Content Owners How It Works AI-Media's Alta and LEXI Translate solutions provide real-time transcription and translation. Captions are seamlessly integrated into the linear channel feed, which is then delivered to FAST platforms via Lightning International's content delivery services based in Hong Kong. This approach ensures a streamlined workflow that is cost-effective, scalable, and reliable. James Ross, CEO of Lightning International, commented 'We are excited to collaborate with AI-Media. With this partnership, we are setting a new standard for localisation in the FAST industry, enabling us to unlock new markets, making it possible for every viewer to enjoy our diverse content without any language barriers.' The future of FAST TV localisation is brighter than ever with the launch of LEXI Voice at NAB. This breakthrough in AI dubbing empowers broadcasters and content owners to deliver real-time alternate-language audio tracks—enhancing accessibility for the visually impaired and offering global audiences a more immersive, native-language experience. About AI-Media Founded in Australia in 2003, AI-Media (ASX: AIM) is a global leader in AI-powered live voice translation, captioning, and language accessibility solutions. AI-Media's latest innovation, LEXI Voice, transforms how global audiences engage with live content - providing real-time, multilingual voice translations built on the industry-leading accuracy of its LEXI captions. Designed for broadcasters, enterprises, and event producers, LEXI Voice opens new revenue streams and audience reach by making live content instantly accessible in multiple languages. Trusted in 25+ countries, AI-Media's end-to-end ecosystem – including iCap,Alta, Encoder Pro and the LEXI Toolkit - delivers unmatched automation, precision, and scalability. With a proven record of replacing legacy human workflows, AI-Media empowers the world's top organisations to deliver accessible, inclusive experiences at scale. About Lightning International Lightning International is a content solutions company with a focus on creating and distributing TV Channels, programmes, and formats. Based in Hong Kong and the UK since 2011, Lightning further strengthened its capabilities by joining the AsiaSat family in 2023, and distributes a package of 15+ FAST channels which are already carried on numerous platforms around the world. These channels are fully curated by Lightning to broadcast standards and are available in Asia and worldwide. They include channels such as Action Hollywood Movies, Concerto TV, Docsville, NOW 70s, NOW 80s, Now 90s00s, NOW Rock, Pet Club TV, Pulse, RCM, TRACE Urban, TRACE Sport Stars, NewsWorld, Globetrotter, and our latest additions 24/7 SAMURAI-SHINOBI and hi Life! Additionally, the company licenses a full catalogue of programming, both as finished shows and formats. Media Contact: Fiona Habben Head of Global Marketing [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
