JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal will open today the second industrial city in Jeddah and lay the foundation stone for the third one. The two cities were developed by the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Modon) on an area of eight million square meters in the district of Al-Khomrah, 35 km to the south of Jeddah.
"Modon has invested about SR2 billion to establish industrial cities in the Makkah province," said Abdul Elah bin Musheet, director of the authority in the Western region. The amount was spent on developing the cities as well as establishing electricity power plants and water and housing facilities there.
Musheet said Modon is currently developing 33 million square meters of land in Jeddah, including eight million square meters for the second industrial city, 20 million square meters for the third industrial city and five million square meters for the fourth one.
"There are 546 industries in Jeddah including 505 that have reached production stage," Musheet said, adding that SR30 billion have been invested in Jeddah industries that employ more than 80,000 workers. There are 14 joint ventures between Saudi and foreign companies and 20 industries established by international companies, he pointed out.
A informed source, who did not want his name published, said the roads, electricity, communications and all other basic infrastructure for the second industrial city have been completed. He said the city is characterized by being away from the city and being close to the Red Sea and the Jeddah Islamic Port.
Food, metal, construction and chemical industries and other factories will be established in the second city, which is a model for cooperation between the public and private sectors. "Large industries will be established in the city and will create more jobs for the Saudi youth," he added.
© Arab News 2012
