Secretary General of the Economic Cities Authority Mouhanad Hilal poses with a delegation of senior Saudi Ports Authority officials during the latter's visit to King Abdullah Port at King Abdullah Economic City who then received a commemorative plaque of appreciation IN response to an invitation from the Secretary General of the Economic Cities Authority (ECA) Mouhanad Hilal to the Head of the Saudi Ports Authority (SPA) Dr. Nabil Al Amoudi, a delegation of senior SPA officials visited King Abdullah Port at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). Led by Dr. Al Amoudi, the visitors included Captain Abdullah Al Zamei, General Manager of Jeddah Islamic Port, and Mr. Naeem Alnaeem, General Manager of King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam. Commenting on the visit, Hilal said: “We were delighted to welcome his Excellency Dr. Nabeel and Saudi Ports Authority delegates in order to exchange knowledge and build the first block of our future collaboration. The visit included a closer look at the progress of King Abdullah Port as well as the business model for the kingdom's first private port.” Both parties agreed on future cooperation including exchange of monthly reports and to work together on studies that will be of benefit to ports in the kingdom, he added. King Abdullah Port plays a complementary role in the ports sector in the Kingdom and demonstrates that cooperation between the public and the private sector is a cornerstone of success in the national economy. Due to its strategic location of King Abdullah Economic City and its Industrial Valley, the port is a key part of KAEC's integrated multi-model transportation system and a main attraction for local and multi-national companies, offering direct access to 250 million consumers in the Middle East and North Africa. King Abdullah Port is owned, developed and managed by the Ports Development Company, a joint venture between Emaar, the Economic City (EEC) and Huta Marine Works Ltd. — SG
