SEVERAL infrastructure and other projects worth a total of SR36 billion ($9.6 billion) have been launched at a new mineral industrial city in the northern region of Saudi Arabia.

The contracts covering the construction of a several factories, roads, and a 1,000-MW power plant in Waad Al Shamal.  They also cover projects for linking the city with Saudi ports, raw material supplies and sewage treatment facilities.

Saudi Arabia’s mining company Maaden, which is spearheading the development, aims to turn Waad Al Shamal into a major producer of phosphate products including the industrial fertiliser ammonia, animal feedstock, plastics and detergents.