• Saudi imposes anti-dumping duties on products from 10 countries

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has imposed anti-dumping duties on seven products imported from 10 European and Asian countries, six of which are subject to the unified GCC law to protect the industry from the damage caused by dumped and subsidized imports, media reports said. The products included all...
  • MENA startup investment surges in March 2023

    Saudi startups were the biggest beneficiaries of LEAP24 tech conference, securing the lion's share of the total investment of S254 million.
  • Red Sea Fund opens applications for production cycle

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The prestigious Red Sea Fund has thrown open its doors to filmmakers across Arab and African origins, inviting submissions for its Production Cycle. With the launch of Cycle 2 for the year 2024, the Fund is geared up to support feature-length narrative, documentary, and animation projects....
  • ‘Saudi Arabia leads its regional peers in construction growth’

    The burgeoning construction sector in Saudi Arabia is fostering the expansion of its talent pool and consolidating its regional leadership, says Barry Lewis, CEO at ALEC, in an interview with TRENDS.
  • Saudi Arabia offers 50% discount on accumulated traffic fines before April 18

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced a significant measure aimed at reducing the burden of accumulated traffic fines for violators. The initiative will see a 50% reduction in fines incurred prior to April 18, 2024. Implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the...
  • Exports key target of GCC hydrogen strategies

    Clean hydrogen could be bigger than the oil and gas economy for the region, says Jo Bamford, chairman of HYCAP, which invests in net zero and hydrogen economy.
  • Saudi Arabia offers 6 mining opportunities for local, international investors

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources on Wednesday announced six new mining opportunities for local and international investors. The opportunities are part of the fifth round of mining competitions for exploration licenses and encompass gold, copper, zinc, lead, and silver ores in various regions...
  • flynas receives 50th jetliner out of 120 Airbus A320neo ordered

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – flynas, the Saudi air carrier and the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East and the world, celebrated taking delivery of the 50th airplane out of a large order for Airbus A320neo jetliners at a reception held at King Khalid International Airport here. The company is...
  • GCC tourism growth skyrockets as diversification drive gains momentum post-Covid

    GCC countries collaborate on comprehensive tourism strategy, leading global recovery post-pandemic with remarkable growth rates and ambitious plans for sustainable development.
  • Spanish president wants parliament to recognize Palestine state by July

    "We have to think seriously about doing it this semester," Sanchez told a group of Spanish journalists accompanying him on a tour of three Middle East countries Sanchez had said on March 9 he would propose that parliament vote in favor of this recognition by the end of the current...
  • Aramco awards $7.7bn contracts for Fadhili Gas Plant expansion

    Dhahran, Saudi Arabia – Saudi energy giant Aramco Tuesday awarded engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts worth $7.7 billion for a major expansion of its Fadhili Gas Plant in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The project is expected to increase the plant’s processing capacity from 2.5 to up to 4...
  • SAMA: E-payments share reached 70% of total payments in 2023

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced on Monday that the share of retail consumer electronic payments - one of the Financial Sector Development Program’s KPIs -  reached 70% of total retail payments in 2023, up from 62% in 2022.  The achievement is attributed to the significant...
  • Middle East economy firm despite challenges

    Non-oil growth to stay robust, bolstered by a strong non-oil GDP growth in the region's two biggest economies, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
  • New shipping service in Saudi Arabia launched

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the addition of the new shipping service 'NRS' by Folk Maritime to Jeddah Islamic Port. This initiative aims to connect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to various ports along the North Red Sea. The introduction of these two new...
  • Saudi women’s unemployment drops to 13.7% by 4Q 2023

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The unemployment rate among Saudi women witnessed a historic decline, plummeting to 13.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023, as per the latest figures released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). This marks a notable 2.6 percent drop from the third quarter's 16.3 percent....
  • UAE exports 31.3m barrels of crude oil to Japan in February

    Tokyo, Japan--The UAE exported 44.1 percent, namely 31.3 million barrels, of Japan's crude oil needs in February 2024, according to the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy in Tokyo. The agency, part of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, stated that the amount of crude that Japan imported...
  • Foreign investors retreat from GCC markets in Q4

    Regional market trends, IPOs, geopolitical issues and crude oil prices affected the flow of foreign money in the region, said a report by Kamco Invest.
  • Rotana announces the soft opening of Dar Rayhaan in Saudi Arabia

    Abu Dhabi, UAE – Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with over 100 properties in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye (MENAT), announces on Sunday the soft opening of Dar Rayhaan by Rotana, Al Khobar, in Saudi Arabia. The opening is in line...
  • ROSHN Group’s first integrated community in Makkah launched

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- ROSHN Group has launched ALMANAR, its fifth integrated mixed-use community and its first venture in Makkah, the group said in a press release.The first phase of ALMANAR, the release said, will provide 4,149 residential units that will house over 17,000 people on a footprint of 2.5...
  • Global football stars choose Red Sea destination for holiday

    TABUK, SAUDI ARABIA – A few days ago, the Red Sea destination hosted several international football stars from Saudi Pro League teams. Accompanied by their families, the players stayed in the resorts of this distinguished destination, indulging in its charming turquoise waters and vast desert dunes. They also engaged in...
  • Saudi tourism hits record $36 billion inbound spending in 2023

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's tourism sector contributed to a record-breaking $36 (SR135 billion) in spending by international visitors. The surge, reported by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), represents a substantial 42.8 percent increase from the previous year. The Kingdom's remarkable performance in tourism was further highlighted by its...
  • GASTAT issues FDI statistics of Saudi Arabia for Q4 2023

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued on Friday the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) statistics for Q4 of 2023, which show that the net flow of FDI in the Kingdom amounted to over US$3.4 billion (SAR13 billion), an increase of 16 percent or US$2.9 billion (SAR11...
  • Restoration project for Jeddah district’s old buildings completed

    JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Ministry of Culture, represented by the Jeddah Historic District Program, has announced the completion of work in the project to restore ramshackle buildings in the district under the generous donation of US$13 million (SAR50 million) from the Kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The project...
  • What has gone wrong for Saudi-backed Newcastle?

    Despite qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, Newcastle still had to tread a fine line to avoid exceeding PSR after spending more than £250 million ($315 million) in the first three transfer windows under the new ownership.
  • Gulf nations embark on defense industry localization

    Saudi Arabia leads GCC efforts towards defense self-reliance by creating the first military industries committee, aiming to reduce foreign imports and enhance local capabilities.
  • flydubai adds two Saudi destinations

    Flights to Al Jouf Airport and Red Sea Airport to start from April 18.
  • Aramco CEO terms energy transition strategy a failure

    Speaking at the CERAWeek conference in Houston, Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser said that the current transition strategy is visibly failing on most fronts. adding that this is "hardly the future picture some have been painting." Fossil fuels accounted for 82% of global consumption last year.
  • Saudi Arabia weighs handing state airline Saudia over to PIF

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia is considering transferring ownership of its national carrier, Saudia, to the sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Reports said that this transfer would encompass other assets under Saudia's umbrella, such as its low-cost unit, Flyadeal. Bloomberg initially reported the discussions regarding PIF's...
  • Visa-free policies make Middle East preferred destination for Chinese travelers

    Dubai, UAE - As China's outbound tourism steadily rebounds from the pandemic's impact, the Middle East is emerging as a preferred destination for Chinese travelers, alongside traditional hotspots like Thailand and Malaysia. Data from online travel agencies including Ctrip, Tongcheng, Tuniu, Mafengwo, and Zuzuche indicates a significant rise in Chinese...
  • Saudi RCU begins rock excavation for Sharaan Resort in AlUla

    ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA – The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has marked a significant milestone in the development of the Sharaan Resort with the inaugural rock excavation for the much-anticipated project.  The initial excavation symbolizes the start of a mission that combines Jean Nouvel’s architectural innovation with Bouygues' engineering expertise....
  • Hotel Dar Tantora is inspired by Saudi’s AlUla ancient mudbrick buildings

    ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA – Situated in the heart of Old Town here, Dar Tantora Hotel offers guests a chance to step back in time. Housed in beautifully restored mudbrick buildings, the hotel is imbued with the region's rich history and culture. The Old Town, with its origins going back over...
  • Ten years from home World Cup, Saudi sizes up ‘huge challenge’

    As the only  bidder, Saudi Arabia was anointed host of the 2034 World Cup last October by FIFA. Infrastructure is the initial concern for the oil-rich kingdom, which is snapping up high-profile sports events in an attempt to sweep away its conservative image and entice foreign investment.
  • Aramco CEO highlights collaboration with Beijing at forum in China

    AL-DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA – Aramco President and CEO Amin Nasser outlined the potential for stronger collaboration with Chinese partners in his speech on Monday at the China Development Forum in Beijing. Nasser underscored the possibility of fostering broader economic globalization by strengthening ties with Chinese partners and identified specific areas...
  • RSG, Hyundai Motor ink pact

    The two firms will explore opportunities in various areas.
  • Saudi Arabia and Bahrain sign road safety, maintenance agreement

    Manama, Bahrain--Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost road safety and maintenance in the two kingdoms. The agreement was signed in a meeting between Ibrahim bin Hassan Al Hawaj, Minister of Works, and Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics of the...
  • Feeding fit: Saudi Arabia redefines the poultry sector

    In February 2024, Saudi Arabia's poultry industry reached a milestone by producing 100 million kilograms of poultry, thereby setting new benchmarks in the global market.
  • World’s only Dragon Ball theme park launched in Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) revealed on Sunday the launch of Dragon Ball theme park. The park will set new standards in the entertainment industry, offering anime fans, families.   Nestled within Qiddiya City, just 40 minutes from Riyadh, this never-seen-before...
  • Petro Rabigh net loss up 320% in 2023

    The company narrowed losses to $367 million in Q4.
  • Saudi Arabia set to leap into space tourism by 2026

    Madrid-based Halo Space Company has selected Saudi Arabia as its launch site for space tourism, offering tours at $164,000 per person for a unique stratospheric Earth view.
  • India plugs into the Gulf region with power cables

    India is poised to revolutionize its energy landscape by linking its power grid with Saudi Arabia and the UAE via undersea cables.
  • Response Plus net profit surges in 2023

    The Group's profit increased by 68% YoY to $13.52 million.
  • Air traffic in Saudi Arabia surges 16 percent in 2023

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's aviation sector soared to new heights in 2023, with a significant increase in both flight numbers and passenger traffic, according to a report by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). In a statement released by GACA, it was revealed that the Kingdom experienced...
  • Blinken heads to Israel to press for ‘immediate’ truce in Gaza war

    After talks in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Blinken flies to Israel on Friday, his sixth trip to the region since the war began with Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7. Israel said its spy chief would also head back to Qatar on Friday for more truce talks with US,...
  • First week of Ramadan sees Saudis spend $3.12 billion

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabian consumers spent a total of SR11.68 billion ($3.12 billion) through point-of-sale transactions during the initial week of Ramadan, spanning from March 10 to March 16. The data, disclosed by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), outlines a total of 168 million transactions during this period....
  • NEOM announces Treyam, its premier lagoon destination

    Neom, Saudi Arabia - NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s futuristic mega city will now have a premier resort where the spectacular desert landscape meets the sea, according to a press release from NEOM.  Boasting an audacious design with minimal land intervention, Treyam offers guests an elevated haven to unwind, re-energize, and enjoy...
  • Saudi Industrial Production Index climbs up in January 2024

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--The Saudi Industrial Production Index (IPI) recorded 103.3 points in January 2024, compared to 103 points in December 2023, marking a monthly growth of 0.3%, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The sub-index for mining and quarrying activity, which accounts for 61.4% of the...
  • ‘US circulates draft UN resolution calling for immediate truce in Gaza’

    "Of course, we stand with Israel and its right to defend itself... but at the same time, it's imperative that the civilians who are in harm's way and who are suffering so terribly -– that we focus on them, that we make them a priority, protecting the civilians, getting them...
  • Saudi Arabia to donate US$40m for UN agency in Gaza

    The funds, according to the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), would support UNRWA's "humanitarian relief efforts in the Gaza Strip", where the Israel's war has raged for more than five months. The funding will provide food for more than 250,000 people and tents for 20,000 families.
  • Gaza ceasefire, post-conflict planning on Blinken’s Saudi visit agenda

    Blinken is due to travel on to Egypt, which neighbors Gaza and whose envoys have been involved in previous mediation efforts. In Jeddah and Cairo, Blinken will discuss efforts to reach an "immediate ceasefire agreement that secures the release of all remaining hostages", State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
  • Date palm cultivation in AlUla sees increased productivity

    AlUla, Saudi Arabia - Date palm cultivation in AlUla governorate has witnessed a significant increase in productivity this year, with production surpassing 90,000 tons of dates annually.  The governorate boasts more than 2 million date palm trees, and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is actively engaged in expanding the...