Arab News, Sat, Jan 11, 2025 | Rajab 11, 1446
Lenovo to produce ‘Saudi Made’ PCs by 2026 following $2bn Alat deal closure
Saudi Arabia:
Chinese tech giant Lenovo is set to
manufacture millions of computer devices in Saudi Arabia by 2026, following the
completion of a $2 billion investment deal with Alat, a subsidiary of the Public
Investment Fund.
First announced in May, the partnership has now
received shareholder and regulatory approvals, paving the way for Lenovo to
establish a regional headquarters and a manufacturing facility in the Kingdom.
The deal marks a significant step in aligning
Lenovo’s growth ambitions with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of economic
diversification, innovation, and job creation, the company said in a press
release.
The factory will manufacture millions of PCs and
servers every year using local research and development teams for fully
end-to-end “Saudi Made” products and is expected to begin production by 2026, it
added.
“Through this powerful strategic collaboration and
investment, Lenovo will have significant resources and financial flexibility to
further accelerate our transformation and grow our business by capitalizing on
the incredible growth momentum in KSA and the wider MEA region,” Yang said.
He added: “We are excited to have Alat as our
long-term strategic partner and are confident that our world-class supply chain,
technology, and manufacturing capabilities will benefit KSA as it drives its
Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification, industrial development,
innovation, and job creation.”
Amit Midha, CEO of Alat, underscored the
significance of the partnership for both Lenovo and the Kingdom.
“We are incredibly proud to become a strategic
investor in Lenovo and partner with them on their continued journey as a leading
global technology company,” said Midha.
“With the establishment of a regional headquarters
in Riyadh and a world-class manufacturing hub, powered by clean energy, in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we expect the Lenovo team to further their potential
across the MEA region,” he added.
The partnership is expected to generate thousands
of jobs, strengthen the region’s technological infrastructure, and attract
further investment into the Middle East and Africa, according to the press
release.
In May, Lenovo raised $1.15 billion through the
issuance of warrants to support its future growth plans. The initiative, which
was fully subscribed by investors, signals confidence in Lenovo’s strategic
approach and its plans for global expansion.
The investment deal was advised by Citi and Cleary
Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton for Lenovo, while Morgan Stanley and Latham & Watkins represented Alat.