Saudi Arabia is said to be considering the option of financing nearly two-thirds of the USD23.2bn Riyadh Metro scheme. Riyadh has, so far, paid USD5bn to the contractors in cash for the work done on the public transport scheme, and it may opt to finance the rest through a mix of bank and export credit agency (ECA) funding, according to a number of anonymous sources. The remaining USD18.2bn in funding for all three main packages may be funded through a 80:20 debt-to-equity ratio, implying SAR14.5bn in debt. Finance Ministry and Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) are said to have held meetings with a number of international banks to explore the possibility of funding, with talks still at an initial stage. (MEED)