ABU DHABI — The Economic Cities Authority (ECA) signed a memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), aiming to cooperate on projects and services that can be provided in the Saudi economic cities, and in turn contributing to the interests of both sides and enabling them to fulfill their obligations. The MoU was signed by Mohanud A. Helal, secretary general of ECA, and Mohamed J. Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar.

Commenting on the agreement, Helal stated: “This MoU will definitely support ECA and Masdar in achieving their goals by cooperating in a number of vital fields that are essential to the future of the national economy.”

He added: “ECA will continue to build fruitful and constructive relationships with parties that can help us fulfill our role in realizing Vision 2030, which can be summarized as creating a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. ECA is determined to make an effective contribution to achieving the goals of our wise leadership and the ambitions of Saudi citizens.”

Al Ramahi said: “We are happy at signing this MoU with the Saudi ECA, through which we aim to exchange knowledge and expertise in the field of sustainable cities. We also aim to share with our brothers in ECA our successful experience in developing Masdar City, one of the most sustainable cities in the world, and we look forward to promoting and maintaining this cooperation so we can advance sustainable urban development and expand its reach using commercially viable methods.”

The MoU aims to open up areas of cooperation and exchange of expertise between both parties in planning future sustainable cities, thereby enabling the economic cities to play their role in the Kingdom’s developmental journey. The cooperation also extends to modern infrastructure design for smart cities, economic feasibility reports, developing services in the economic cities, attracting value-adding investments to diversify the economy, and providing quality job opportunities for Saudi youth.

Both parties will utilize their relations with relevant authorities to achieve the desired objectives, which include consulting services, mutual development, and knowledge exchange in any sustainable development field, in addition to urban development, transportation, economic development, smart cities and renewable energy. — SG