JEDDAH – King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh is seeing a significant surge in foreign and domestic investments for the construction of residential and industrial facilities after more than 50 local and international companies have signed agreements with KAEC, some of which are in the process of setting up operations in the City while others are already operational. Among the leading companies which are establishing their presence in KAEC and contributing to the overall economic and social development of the City are US textile and plastic packaging firm Greif; pharma giants Pfizer and Sanofi Aventis; lubricants firm Total; Saudia Smart Technology Hub; Nesma Holding Co. Ltd., and many others. Commenting on this, Mohammed Othman Mallawi, Investor Relations Manager, Red Sea Housing Services Company, said the huge interest from local and international investors in KAEC has accelerated the pace of business and projects in the City, which has subsequently boosted demand for labor camps across these projects. In this regard, he added that Red Sea Housing Services recently received the approval from the Economic Cities Authority (ECA) to begin construction of labor camps in King Abdullah Economic City. Mallawi further added that Red Sea Housing Services is set to begin construction of a SR50 million labor complex, spread across a 150,000 sqm area in KAEC, by the first quarter of 2014 to accommodate the workforce that is involved in the completion of KAEC and the staff of companies operating within the City. The labor complex project is expected to have a maximum capacity of 5,000 residents on completion. To complete the project, the company will leverage its vast expertise in the construction of prefabricated houses for managers, employees and workers, in addition to catering to their requirements of electricity, fresh water, catering services, waste-water treatment, laundry service, recreation centers and gyms. — SG
