Saudi Jeddah port eyes overseas deals after wealth fund backing

Saudi Jeddah port eyes overseas deals after wealth fund backing

The operator of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) is looking to invest in ports in Africa and the Middle East, following backing from the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund. The RSGT plans to invest in at least three international ports in the next five years, with each investment totaling as much as $500m, port chief Jens Floe said. It's also aiming to spend up to $1.7bn developing its main port in Jeddah on the Red Sea, as well as potentially investing in other Saudi ports. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Cosco Shipping Ports bought a stake in RSGT in January, valuing the port operator at about $880m. The wealth fund is leading a strategy to turn the kingdom into a transport and logistics hub and support local companies looking to export products. The pandemic has also led to a renewed focus on food security in the region, where the desert environment means many countries rely on agricultural imports. "Adding Cosco and PIF as shareholders will really accelerate our domestic and our international growth plans,“ Floe said in an interview. He said investments may come in rail and dry ports, and emerging market terminals in "less mature and less