RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s building materials supply is set to get a boost with the signing of a deal between the National Housing Co. and a leading Chinese construction firm. The agreement with China’s CITIC Construction Group seeks to establish an industrial city and logistic zones for building materials, comprising 12 factories, with the objective of securing supply chains for the NHC’s housing projects. NHC CEO Mohammad Albuty finalized the deal during the official visit of Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail to China. In a statement, the NHC said the agreement with the Chinese construction group are part of its efforts to secure supply chains for its housing projects and ensure their timely completion and high quality. The Saudi company said the deal entails the construction of 12 factories specializing in building materials, harnessing Chinese expertise, and involving local factories to uplift business standards. It added that the deal also aims to draw top-tier service providers across various sectors of the company, its subsidiaries, and other projects. The company pointed out that the agreement is expected to maximize the economic and developmental impact of the real estate sector in the Kingdom, develop housing projects, enhance their quality, and promote national transformation in the construction sector through these industrial cities and logistic zones. The statement also highlighted that this collaboration will facilitate the expansion of small and medium factories in the Kingdom, establish direct production lines for the company’s projects, and foster the growth of the local industry. Additionally, it will create numerous job opportunities in the sector. The company said the agreement strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and China, established during the Chinese president’s visit to the Kingdom in December 2022.