1 and butane-2. The PIF board also approved a loan of SR1.8 billion to Eastern Petrochemicals Company (Sharq) to finance its third expansion project, which is estimated to cost SR13.9 billion. The National Chemical Transport Company also received a loan of SR436 million to finance the building of a fleet of 13 ships. Finance Minister and Chairman of PIF Ibrahim Al-Assaf said the board approved the new loans to encourage establishment of strategic petrochemical complexes, adding that the new projects would create more jobs for Saudis.