[Saudi Arabia launches phosphate railway double track renovation] Saudi Arabia recently launched a double track renovation project for a key phosphate railway, which will be tendered in stages to systematically improve transportation capacity. The second phase of the project (approximately 150 kilometers) is scheduled to be tendered in January 2026, connecting Zabila and Ha'il stations, aiming to efficiently connect the production capacity of the northern mining area with the eastern port. The total investment is expected to reach several billion riyals. Previously, the bidding for the first phase of the project (approximately 100 kilometers) had already started in November 2025, and the entire four-year project also includes the bidding for future vehicle depots and system integration. This railway is the core part of the North South railway freight section in Saudi Arabia, crossing the Nefud Desert and directly serving giants such as Saudi mining companies. This upgrade is a key measure for Saudi Arabia to implement its "2030 Vision" and promote economic diversification. It aims to strengthen its dominant position in the global phosphate industry chain by improving logistics efficiency, supporting advanced systems, and promoting localized material production, supporting its transformation from a resource exporting country to an industrial powerhouse. Editor/Cheng Liting

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• 2025.12.17 17:19
• [China Kazakhstan joint construction of solar power station officially starts construction]
• On December 15, 2025, a special ceremony was held in Turkestan, Kazakhstan. Local government officials and representatives of China Energy Construction Group buried the time capsule recording the project vision, marking the official commencement of the largest 300 MW solar power plant project in Central Asia and Kazakhstan to date. This is the result of the deep integration of China's "the Belt and Road" initiative and Kazakhstan's "Bright Road" new economic policy in the energy field, and also a milestone in the new stage of China Kazakhstan energy cooperation. The groundbreaking ceremony attracted widespread participation from the political and business sectors of China and Kazakhstan, with multiple parties witnessing through video conferencing. This project is highly anticipated as a key factor in the local energy transformation and investment attraction enhancement. Its installed capacity and energy storage system have a demonstration effect in Central Asia, and the site selection is in line with the local electricity demand. After completion, it will provide clean electricity and promote the achievement of Kazakhstan's 2030 renewable energy proportion target, which is in line with its strategy of attracting foreign investment and promoting technology transfer. The project adopts advanced technology, and China Energy Engineering will share its experience and assist in cultivating talents in Harbin. It will also collaborate with the promotion of water-saving technology to support regional green transformation. The project has an investment of approximately 160 billion tenge and is expected to create 500 local jobs. China and Kazakhstan are expanding from traditional oil and gas cooperation to renewable energy, with plans to complete and put into operation by 2027, laying the foundation for new energy cooperation between the two sides. Editor/Cheng Liting

• 2025.12.17 17:18
• [Algeria's steel exports surge]
• Algeria has long been an energy exporting country, with natural gas exports dominating its trade with Italy. In the first eight months of 2025, natural gas exports to Italy amounted to 5.94 billion euros, accounting for 84% of total exports. But now the export of steel products has emerged as a rising force, with an export value of 121 million euros, a year-on-year surge of 169.6%, surpassing the traditional non energy categories as the strongest engine for Italian export growth. The Algerian steel dream runs through modern history, being plundered during the colonial period, facing difficulties in development after independence, and facing unresolved challenges after market-oriented reforms. In the 2020s, the 2030 Industrial Strategy was launched to restructure and upgrade enterprises, and to overcome bottlenecks in the resource market. Although facing challenges such as low price competition in Europe, domestic resource constraints, technological dependence on imports, and policy uncertainty, the explosive growth of steel exports to Italy has proven the feasibility of the road, and is embedding industrial products into the European supply chain, carrying the dream of economic sovereignty and industrial dignity. Editor/Cheng Liting