Modon signs development projects worth SR350m for Al-Kharj Industrial City

The first project costing SR180m, to build express highway and overpasses connecting Al-Kharj Industrial City with Riyadh-Dallam Road, while a second project costing SR75.5m for setting up Electrical Energy Transmission Station.

The agreements were signed in the presence of H.E. Dr. Tawfig bin Fawzan Alrabiah, Director General of Modon, Modon executives and executives from companies executing the projects, Mohamad Al-Ali Al-Suwailem Co. for trading and contracting, represented by its chairman Eng. Ali bin Mohamad Al-Suwailem and Arabian Electrical Equipment Company Limited, represented by Mr. Sikandar Haneef Bhatti, Vice President for Energy Transmission sector.

These projects follow a series of achievements Modon has achieved in the past year since the work started for the development of infrastructure for the first phase of Al-Kharj Industrial City on an area of 5 million square meters and cost SR54m. Adding the cost of Water Purification Plant and operation of water utilities, the total cost of projects for Al-Kharj Industrial City amounts to SR350m.

The Road project includes building 25 kilometers long express highway of three lanes in each direction with three over-head intersections (bridges). While the Electrical Energy Transmission Station No. 8714 stands at 132/13.8 KV. The completion date of all development works of Phase I is 9/1/1432H, while the completion of the highway connecting road project is expected in the mid of 1433H, as well the electricity will be available at the end of 1433H.

Despite the global economic crisis witnessed in the previous period, the investment opportunities in the industrial field in the Kingdom have not been affected. In conjunction with the development works, investors and study of land requests have been welcomed and there was a distinctive demand for industrial land provided by Modon in all regions of the Kingdom. Last year Modon established four new cities, namely: Jeddah 2nd., Al-Kharj, Ar'ar and Jazan. Modon achievements in the establishment and development of new cities reflects their interest to meet the growing demand for industrial land. The industrial city of Al-Kharj has seen significant growth in the number of applications reaching 650 applications so far whereas land has been allocated for 161 factories, including 32 industrial projects those have completed the establishment procedures, and other applications are under study. Meanwhile, Modon receives application through its website.

On the other hand, Modon organized a visit to Al-Kharj Industrial City to inspect the progress of work in infrastructure development projects, and visited RDB Al-Saif Ltd. Factory for the production of ready mix concrete, which have been allocated land on an area of 221,067 m, with an investment of SR250m, and is expected to begin production during the next two months.

The Al-Kharj Project is considered to be one of the most developed cities that began last year in response to increased demand for industrial land in the Riyadh region.

The area of Al-Kharj Industrial city is 99 million square meters and developments of the first phase on an area of 5 million square meters has been initiated. Al-Kharj Industrial City will be an excellent model and a suitable environment for plants and will provide job opportunities for Saudis estimated at more than 10 thousand jobs, and the city is expected to attract domestic and international industrial investment. Al-Kharj will provide investment opportunity for investors in the Riyadh region, where Riyadh is only 90 kilometers away.

The general plan of the industrial city will consist of areas for industrial, residential and commercial activities, exhibitions and marketing service centers and public facilities, roads, warehouses, allowing all business investment to be available in various opportunities, whether in industrial, residential, commercial or service sectors.

Projects presented by Modon can be found on Modon website www.Modon.gov.sa. Modon oversees 18 cities where SR250bn are invested and these cities employ approximately 300,000 workers.