ESTABLISHING SAUDI ARABIA AS A GLOBAL LOGISTICS POWERHOUSE

ESTABLISHING SAUDI ARABIA AS A GLOBAL LOGISTICS POWERHOUSE

Al Arabiya English Published: 02 April ,2024: 03:09 PM GST Updated: 02 April ,2024: 03:28 PM GST

In the heart of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, a transformative project is taking shape. King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), a fully integrated industrial ecosystem, stands as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s VISION 2030. As a gateway to the regional energy sector, this mega project is where international and local companies across the energy supply chain come together to create a world-class ecosystem. SPARK was established in 2018 by His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, with a vision to connect the world to opportunities in the Saudi energy sector and beyond. This film provides a glimpse into the thriving energy hub, which significantly contributes to the VISION 2030 ambitions.

Positioned at the crossroads of East and West, SPARK enjoys unparalleled connectivity, seamlessly integrated by land with major highways and the GCC railway, by air through the nearby King Fahad International Airport, and by sea via the King Abdul-Aziz Seaport. This positions it strategically at the heart of the energy market, in close proximity to the Saudi Aramco headquarters and near the abundant oil and gas reserves.

SPARK’s commitment to providing world class, comprehensive services and infrastructure is evident through its affiliates. SPARK Utilities, the third company in the Kingdom licensed by the Water & Electricity Regulatory Authority (WERA) to distribute and sell power, ensures a reliable supply of essential utilities to tenants– enabling the reduction of power consumption and increase in operational efficiency. Meanwhile, SPARK Logistics, established from a partnership with Hutchison Ports, is setting a new standard for logistics excellence. This joint venture will manage a three-square-kilometer logistics zone, including the region’s largest private dry port, enhancing access to global markets and meeting the MENA region’s growing energy demand. The film offers deeper insights into SPARK’s vibrant and dynamic ecosystem, powered by sustainable energy sources, which has fostered a community that encourages environmental sustainability and innovation as a shared goal. This commitment extends to the efficient supply of goods and services, demonstrated in SPARK’s ambition to reduce the carbon footprint resulting from global goods transport.

SPARK’s dedication to a sustainable future is evident in its Silver LEED certification, making it the first industrial city globally to be recognized for its ecofriendly initiatives. This achievement sets a new standard for environmental responsibility among industrial cities worldwide. The film also highlights SPARK’s efforts to attract tier 2 and tier 3 energy supply chain elements, boosting localization, efficiency, and economic impact.

Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s VISION 2030, SPARK plays a key role in diversifying the Kingdom’s economy, aiming to localize 75% of the energy value chain and is instrumental in elevating the Kingdom as a global logistics hub for the energy sector, in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. SPARK strives to meet the increasing demand for energy-related goods and services both regionally and globally. Once fully operational, the city is expected to contribute an estimated USD150 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP by 2050 and generate 100,000 jobs, marking a significant economic milestone.

Mohammed bin Salman’s EFFORTS TO EXPAND GLOBAL UNITY AND COLLABORATION with both regional and global allies TO BETTER SECURITY AND PROSPERITY.  MBS highlighted the Kingdom’s success under VISION 2030 that has brought investment opportunities in trending sectors across the economy. He also discussed the big changes made in the last eight years to help businesses grow, referencing the growth of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to become a massive sovereign wealth fund worth a trillion dollars.

According to SPA, MBS also announced the Kingdom’s economy has reached a significant milestone where the country’s current non-oil GDP surpassed 50 percent of the total GDP in 2023. He emphasized the significance of investing in research and development, which has boosted national industries and fueled the Kingdom’s digital economy. VISION 2030 also had societal impacts as MBS noted significant improvements in quality of life, social mobility and inclusion. Talking about the future, MBS EMPHASIZED SAUDI ARABIA’S INCREASING GLOBAL IMPORTANCE AS A HUB FOR TRANSIT, TECHNOLOGY AND TRADE. He characterized VISION 2030 as a journey rather than a destination, inviting collaboration, growth and development opportunities with international partners.

SEVEN-FOLD LUXURIES OF NEOM BABYLON CITY:

1. Luxury metals and stones (fine gold, silver, precious stones, pearls). (Rev. 18:12)
2. Luxury clothing (fine linens, silks, color dyes). (Rev. 18:12)
3. Luxury building materials (precious woods, ivory, brass, iron, marble). (Rev. 18:12)
4. Luxury produce (exquisite herbs, fragrances, ointments, wine, oil, flour, wheat). (Rev. 18:13)
5. Luxury meat products / animals (beasts, sheep, horses). (Rev. 18:13)
6. Luxury cars and transportation (chariots). (Rev. 18:13)
7. Human slave trade and sex-trafficking (slaves and souls of men). (Rev. 18:13)

Commentary: This looks like today’s shopping list of the rich and famous, and of the political and financial elite of the world. I believe this covers everything materialistic that is generally valued around the world today (and in the future). There is nothing mundane, routine or common among these delicacies. NEOM BABYLON is built on luxurious living and is the center of worldwide trade of these items and merchandise. These things are literally brought into NEOM BABYLON by the ship loads (Rev. 18:17-19), “For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off.” These items are considered luxurious because they are extremely expensive! (Rev. 18:19, “the great city was made rich by all the ships of the sea by reason of her costliness.”) The people in NEOM BABYLON are extremely materialistic and glorify themselves through their wealth, but are spiritually evil and bankrupt.

Demand for luxury items is so great that merchants of the earth have become wealthy themselves by providing these luxuries Rev. 18:3, “and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” Both supply (merchants) and demand (people in NEOM BABYLON) worship the created things and not God, the Creator. The worship of and reliance on luxury items plays right into the hands of the mystery religion of Babylon (Mystery Babylon). Keep in mind that all these players (merchants and NEOM BABYLON citizens), all have the mark of MbS and his system. They are allowed to sell and buy through the complicity and authority of the antichrist’s economic machinations via having the mark. Hypothetically speaking, I wouldn’t be surprised if the wealthy in NEOM BABYLON view the Mohammed bin Salman’s mark as a luxury brand symbol or something equivalent. Sad, very sad (understatement).

Interestingly, there is a parallel condemnation of wealth and materialism regarding the church of Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22). During the time when John received the Revelation of Jesus Christ, Laodicea was a leading banking center, and known for manufacturing garments made from a soft, black wool. Additionally, Laodicea was also home to a famous medical school that specialized in the treatment of eye diseases. The city had a lot going for it economically. The Laodicea church also benefited financially from the surrounding strong economy. The city was so strong financially, that in AD 60 when it was destroyed by an earthquake, Laodicea paid for its own reconstruction instead of asking Rome for rebuilding funds.

As a result of the Laodicean church’s self-sufficiency and affluence, they received a strong rebuke from Jesus. The church considered itself wealthy and self-sufficient, instead, Jesus viewed this church very differently. He saw this church as “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”, using metaphors from the local economy that surrounded the church. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” (Rev. 3:17)

While the church thought it had everything, it had nothing. They confused material prosperity and comfort with spiritual health and security. The Bible teaches that the rich (and very rich, by today’s standards) are often tempted to rely upon themselves, while the poor often turn to the Lord for help. Jesus challenges his people to trust in him rather than in material possessions, and to use things to meet the needs of others (Deut. 8:10-14; Prov. 30:8-9; Matt. 6:19-24; Luke 12:13-21; 1 Tim. 6:6-10, 17-19). Physical wealth and comfort can foster spiritual complacency and self-reliance. Affluence tempts us to forget God. The message to the church of Laodicea illustrates the power of forgetting God, due to materialistic affluence.

From an economic point of view, the parallel between NEOM BABYLON and Laodicea is staggering. The rebuke that Jesus gave the church of Laodicea is generally considered to be one of the stronger (est) rebukes given to the five churches who were in need of correction. Keep in mind that Jesus’ rebuke was to those members in his own house (church). NEOM BABYLON has the same evil symptoms, but on steroids! Citizens of Babylon and worshippers of Mystery Babylon are swimming in luxury, wealth, materialism and self-sufficiency. Greed is rampant. They are not members of Jesus’ church and they do not acknowledge or worship the Creator who made the material wealth they worship and enjoy.

Revelation 18:7 indicates, “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously.” God is not remotely on their spending or spiritual radar. They are utterly deceived by their materialism and love of luxury and “delicious living”. Since Jesus strongly rebuked the Laodicean church members, how much more so will God pour out His wrath on NEOM Babylon, who openly rejects him for the love of wealth? The Laodicean Church received rebuke from Jesus, NEOM BABYLON will receive total destruction by God. This should be a message to today’s churches who preach the prosperity gospel. God is not against a person being prosperous, however, he is against the amount of prosperity that fosters complacency and self-sufficiency, or to the point of fostering wealth worship (greed) at the expense of forgetting one’s relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

The (5) Wealthy and the God of (5) Luxury, Money, Pleasure, Self-Indulgence and Materialism

NEOM BABYLON Being on the Red Sea

• A new vibrant destination on the coast of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba.
• Access to the Mediterranean Sea.
• The city will sit close to the maritime trade routes that use the Suez Canal.
• 50% of NEOM Babylon’s perimeter is coastline (either on the Red Sea or Gulf of Aqaba).

NEOM/Babylon city is within easy eyesight and access of sea(s) and maritime trade routes.

“The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing. And saying, Alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! For in one hour is she made desolate. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.” (Rev. 18:15-21).

Mega-yachts versus sailboats versus shipping: Saudi Arabia’s quest to conquer the Red Sea at NEOM Babylon

First, the mega-yachts came to Saudi Arabia. It was 2021, and a discreet message had been sent out to the sailing world’s most exclusive club: the coast of a yet-to-be-constructed, futuristic $500bn mega-city on the Red Sea was open for a sneak peek. More than 10 mega-yachts a day were going through the Suez Canal, all coming from the Mediterranean to Neom. Saudi Arabia has broadened efforts to promote its 2,000km coastline for leisure travel.  Saudi Arabia really wants people to come to the Red Sea. ‘Saudi Arabia wants mega-yachters.’

Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is leveraging oil revenue to diversify his kingdom’s economy with investments in tourism and entertainment. The Red Sea lies at the epicentre of Saudi Arabia’s ambitions. Western sailors are coming away with a taste of the kingdom’s culture and traditional hospitality, but they are also coping with high prices, pesky princes, a security state and ‘outstandingly high’ prices of $2,100 for entry and exit to the marina, along with visas and permits.  Agent fees to coordinate check-in and arrange for fuel and supplies ran about 500 percent higher than anywhere else paid while circumnavigating the globe. 

The Saudis want mega-yachters with money, they aren’t geared to servicing middle class yachties.  The centre of gravity will shift north when the Red Sea Island Project and Neom open. Prices there are expected to be even higher with a luxury marina company set to take over management.  The seaside resort of Sindalah, which will have an 86 berth marina, is slated to be the first Neom project to open.  High net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals and young people with the potential for future wealth generation is the western demographic Saudi Arabia is targeting. Despite a push to lure sailors, the pastime remains bureaucratic and tightly regulated. Sailors have to submit the spots where they want to drop anchor on a portal called Ebhar for pre-approval by Saudi authorities.

Boats are also required to check in and out of the country from the same port of origin, making it difficult to bounce around.  Much of Saudi Arabia’s coastline is sealed off because of ongoing construction on mega-projects. All the best places to cruise from a yachting perspective, the royal family has built private installations on them and you aren’t allowed to go 20 miles (32km) near them. By 2030, the kingdom aims to have 8,000 new hotel rooms along its Red Sea coast (MEE) Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is reported to have a taste for luxury coastal life. He owns a 439-foot (139 metres) yacht with two helipads and a nightclub.  The Saudi tourism industry clearly has a penchant for mega-yachts over everyday sailboats, experts and sailors say.

One reason is that higher profit margins can be had in the luxury market, but the crown prince also hopes they will help him make a “bigger splash” on the world stage as he unveils Vision 2030. MBS [Mohammed Bin Salman] could certainly crack the whip and make large swathes of the Saudi coast available to sailors.  Saudi Arabia is just starting off, with time it will be more popular than Egypt for sure. The kingdom wants big numbers. By 2030, Saudi Arabia plans to have built 50 resorts with 8,000 hotel rooms along the Red Sea. Neom’s flagship resort Sindalah is advertising kayaking, kite-surfing and snorkeling. Swanky hotels like the Ritz Carlton and the St. Regis are going up.

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In His Service,

Night Watchman

Paul Rolland

Night Watchman

www.nightwatchman.blog

Make Your (7) Decision for Christ NOW!!!!!!! Time is Up!!!!!!!

Jesus Christ’s Offer of Salvation:

The ABCs (7) of Salvation through Jesus Christ (the Lamb)

1. (7) Admit/Acknowledge/Accept that you are sinner. Ask (7) God’s forgiveness and repent of your sins.

. . . “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

. . . “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8).

B. Believe Jesus is Lord. Believe that (7) Jesus Christ is who He claimed to (7) be; that He was both fully God (7) and fully man and that we are (7) saved through His death, burial, and resurrection. (7) Put your trust in Him as your (7) only hope of salvation. Become a son (7) or daughter of God by receiving Christ. (7777777) 7×7

. . . “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:15-17). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

C. Call upon His name, Confess (7) with your heart and with your lips (7) that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.

. . . “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (John 1:8-10).

. . . “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (John 2:2).