08 January 2016
SUNBULAH Group, a leading manufacturer of food products, has become the latest company to invest in the Industrial Valley at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). The company is purchasing a parcel of land on which it intends to build a comprehensive manufacturing and logistics complex. Sunbulah Group owns a number of leading brands that are well-known household names across the region, including Alshifa Honey, Walima, and Sary.

"Our decision to invest at KAEC was the result of a thorough study of the vast resources the city offers," said Samer Ibrahim Kurdi, the Group's Deputy Chairman. "The city is the ideal venue for us to continue with our development plans, through which we strive to meet the growing demand for our products. It is a positive environment that will open up new markets for young Saudis and national businesses, all contributing towards the national economy."

Kurdi praised the dynamism of the city's management team, which strives to make KAEC a destination of choice for investors by streamlining infrastructure and logistics for business activities to flourish.

Fahd Al-Rasheed, Group CEO and Managing Director of KAEC, said that Sunbulah Group's investment in the city is testament to the fact that the city has become the ideal place for national and international investment. "It is a positive indicator that we are on track towards realizing our objectives and implementing our strategic plans, which includes aiding Sunbulah Group in their expansion. Companies are increasingly looking to purchase land at the Industrial Valley because of the complete solution it offers: a high quality environment for work, modern accommodation facilities, and strategic access to logistical services," he added. The Industrial Valley at KAEC provides a range of manufacturing and supply base solutions, with full logistical services in a strategic location next to King Abdullah Port.

Fahd Al-Rasheed added that KAEC is working relentlessly to implement its strategic plans. "We are focusing on forming the ideal environment to encourage innovation and growth. We have created an unrivaled combination of state-of-the-art infrastructure, served by a location logistically connected to a comprehensive road and rail network and King Abdullah Port, the region's biggest and newest."

Rayan Qutub, chief executive officer of the Industrial Valley, said that Sunbulah Group will be a highly significant addition to investment at the Economic City.

"Thus far we have been able to recruit more than 100 national and global manufacturers. Sunbulah is a well-known brand that will add substantial value and help meet our objective to provide quality products to the national and global markets. Its presence reflects the level of confidence in the Economic City. Saudi Arabia currently produces 75% of all food produced within the Arabian Gulf, and consumes 60% of food that is produced regionally.

"It is only natural for the Industrial Valley to become the location of choice when establishing a manufacturing and supply base, as we reach up to 250 million consumers in the Arab world and East Africa. The Industrial Valley is meeting the runaway growth in demand for land leases and purchases at phases 2 and 3."

© The Saudi Gazette 2016