Latest news with #AFESD
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman's OPAZ invites bids for phase one of Al Rawdah water drainage project
Muscat – The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) announced the launch of a tender for the construction works of surface water drainage channels in the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone. OPAZ has invited specialised companies to purchase tender documents and submit bids via the e-tendering platform 'Etimad', for the project to be implemented in the wilayat of Mahdah in Buraimi governorate. The tender coincides with the Ministry of Finance's signing of an agreement with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) to fund the first phase of the surface water drainage project in Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone. Yahya bin Khamis al Zadjali, planning advisor to the Chairman of OPAZ, stated that the project aims to provide essential protection for the zone, including safeguarding tourism, industrial, commercial, and agricultural facilities. The project will implement an integrated network of open channels and effective water barriers to control the flow of surface water resulting from rainfall across the lands designated for the SEZ. The tender includes the construction of an 850m barrier, a 25km long rainwater drainage channel, and associated excavation, backfilling, grading, and other works necessary to support the zone's economic and social goals, Zadjali added. The drainage network will be precise enough to withstand exceptional weather conditions. Strategically located in the wilayat of Mahdah, Al Rawdah SEZ serves as a key logistics gateway between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The zone is connected to Suhar and Jebel Ali ports, enabling logistics providers, manufacturers, and commercial businesses to access GCC, Asian and African markets efficiently and cost-effectively. In May, OPAZ signed an agreement with Mahdah Development Company to develop and operate the first phase of the SEZ over an area of 14sqkm. The total planned area of the zone is approximately 56.8sqkm. The first phase focuses on attracting investment in a range of sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, pharmaceuticals, plastics, mining, food industries, and safety and security services. Through the development of Al Rawdah SEZ, OPAZ aims to capitalise on the comparative and competitive advantages of Oman's various governorates, thereby contributing to economic and social development, creating employment opportunities for Omani youth, and stimulating key economic sectors. The establishment of the SEZ aligns with the authority's broader strategy to support Oman Vision 2040, particularly in the areas of economic diversification, fiscal sustainability, labour market development, private sector growth, foreign investment, international cooperation, and sustainable urban and regional development. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
02-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Opaz invites bids for Phase 1 of surface water drainage project in Al Rawdah SEZ
Muscat: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (Opaz) announced the launch of a tender for the construction works of surface water drainage channels in the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone, located in the Wilayat of Mahdah in Al Buraimi Governorate. Opaz has invited specialised companies to purchase tender documents and submit bids via the e-tendering platform 'Etimad'. The tender coincides with the Ministry of Finance's signing of a financing agreement with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) to fund the first phase of the surface water drainage project in Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone. Eng. Yahya Khamis Al Zadjali, planning adviser to the Chairman of Opaz, stated that the project aims to provide essential protection for the zone, including safeguarding tourism, industrial, commercial, and agricultural facilities. The project will implement an integrated network of open channels and effective water barriers to control the flow of surface water resulting from rainfall across the lands designated for the SEZ. He added that the tender includes the construction of an 850-metre barrier, a 25 km rainwater drainage channel, and associated excavation, backfilling, grading, and other works necessary to support the zone's economic and social goals. The drainage network is designed to withstand exceptional weather conditions. Strategically located in the Wilayat of Mahdah in Al Buraimi Governorate, Al Rawdah SEZ serves as a key logistics gateway between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The zone is connected to Sohar Port and Jebel Ali Port, enabling logistics providers, manufacturers, and commercial businesses to access GCC, Asian and African markets efficiently and cost-effectively. In May, Opaz signed an agreement with Mahdah Development Company to develop and operate the first phase of the SEZ over an area of 14 square kilometres. The total planned area of the zone is approximately 56.8 square kilometres. The first phase focuses on attracting investment in a range of sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, pharmaceuticals, plastics, mining, food industries, and safety and security services. Through the development of Al Rawdah SEZ, Opaz aims to capitalise on the comparative and competitive advantages of Oman's various governorates, thereby contributing to economic and social development, creating employment opportunities for Omani youth, and stimulating key economic sectors. The establishment of the SEZ aligns with the Authority's broader strategy to support Oman Vision 2040, particularly in the areas of economic diversification, fiscal sustainability, labour market development, private sector growth, foreign investment, international cooperation, and sustainable urban and regional development.
Saudi Press
27-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Press
Saudi EXIM Bank Signs MoUs with Tajikistan's State Unitary Bank, AFESD to Enhance Access to Saudi Exports
Saudi EXIM Bank Signs MoUs with Tajikistan's State Unitary Bank, AFESD to Enhance Access to Saudi Exports Sunday 27/11/1446 Voice reader
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
AFESD ready to contribute to implementation of several future flagship projects in Tunisia
Tunis - Chairman and Director General of the Board of Directors of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), Badr Mohammed Al Saad, affirmed this institution's readiness to support and develop its existing cooperation with Tunisia, as well as contribute to the implementation of several future flagship projects and investments over the medium and long term. These projects will cover a number of priority sectors that impact the economic cycle. Al Saad and his accompanying delegation were received by Prime Minister Sara Zaafrani Zenzri at the Government Palace in Kasbah on Friday, as part of his official visit to Tunisia from May 21 to 25. He stressed the importance of fruitful cooperation between Tunisia and the Fund in a number of promising fields. For her part, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the results of the meetings held during the visit, as well as with the signing of several agreements between Tunisia and the Fund. Of particular note is the agreement to expand and rehabilitate national road No. 20 between El Faouar and Rjim Maatoug in Kebili, as part of the project to renew and develop railway lines, according to a statement by the Prime Ministry. Several major projects are currently under consideration for implementation in various sectors, including road infrastructure, motorways, rural roads, agriculture, water, and priority projects relating to drinking water. During the meeting, which focused on future medium- and long-term cooperation, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Tunisian state is planning to complete several major projects, particularly in railway transport, education, health, renewable energies, and green project support. She also reviewed the main pillars of the country's economic and social programme, based on the comprehensive vision of President Kais Saied. Zenzri also praised the excellent cooperation between Tunisia and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. The AFESD is an important partner for Tunisia and has contributed to the implementation of 65 projects in various fields, particularly infrastructure, including dams, roads and motorways, as well as production in the industrial, agricultural and rural development sectors, and in primary and higher education. The AFESD is currently contributing to the implementation of 17 projects in various sectors, as well as several technical assistance programmes. In this regard, the Prime Minister recalled Tunisia's core principles, particularly the preservation of national sovereignty, independence and self-reliance, and the country's social policies and regional integration. This is in light of Tunisia's political stability and comprehensive reforms, which have made it an attractive investment destination. The meeting took place in the presence of Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Abdelhafidh, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister, Moncef Hamdi and a number of Prime Ministry executives. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan secures over $2bln for development projects — ministry
AMMAN — Jordan has secured more than $2.1 billion in grants and concessional loans to fund a number of high-impact national development projects, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation announced on Monday. According to a government performance report released by the Ministry of Government Communication, the financing agreements were finalised in April with major international partners, including the World Bank, Germany's KfW Development Bank, the Embassy of the Netherlands, and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD). The funds are intended to support Jordan's economic modernisation programme, enhance infrastructure, and strengthen social safety nets, the ministry said. Agreements signed with the World Bank total $1.1 billion and target initiatives that stimulate economic growth, promote start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), expand social protection, and improve the reliability of the Kingdom's electricity supply, Al Mamlaka TV reported. A key component includes a $400 million Development Policy Loan aimed at improving competitiveness, boosting exports, and increasing employment opportunities, particularly for youth and women. Another $400 million will support the Resilient and Sustainable Social Protection Programme, designed to strengthen the country's response to economic shocks and protect vulnerable populations. Additionally, the second phase of the Jordan Entrepreneurship Fund, with a $50 million investment, will support high-growth start-ups in sectors such as ICT, fintech, green tech, and health tech. A further $250 million is allocated to enhance the efficiency and financial sustainability of the electricity sector, part of Jordan's transition to cleaner energy sources. The ministry also signed a 200 million euro ($215 million) loan agreement with KfW to support the Kingdom's economic modernisation vision. The German development bank described the funding as 'unconditional financial credit' offered at a pivotal time for Jordan's reform agenda. In a bid to bolster water security, The Netherlands committed 31 million euros ($33 million) in grant funding for the National Water Carrier Project, which aims to desalinate 300 million cubic metres of water annually. The project is expected to serve nearly four million residents and address worsening climate-related water shortages. Meanwhile, Jordan launched a new five-year Country Partnership Strategy (2025–2029) with the AFESD, valued at $690 million. The strategic partnership will prioritise investments in water and energy infrastructure, vocational training, and private sector development. The Kingdom secured a $65 million soft loan to finance the development of the Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah LNG Port. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
