Israel's Tourism Minister Haim Katz is the first Israeli minister to head an official delegation in Saudi Arabia, where he would attend a United Nations World Tourism Organization event in Riyadh.

The delegation was led by the Saudi non-resident ambassador to the Palestinian territories, Nayef al-Sudairi, who was to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and top Palestinian diplomat Riyad al-Maliki. Sudairi, the oil-rich kingdom's envoy to Jordan, was last month also named for the Palestinian territories post and appointed consul general for...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--Saudi Arabia on Tuesday condemned an attack on its territory that killed two Bahraini military personnel near the border with war-torn Yemen. Bahrain's military said late Monday that one officer and one enlisted soldier had been killed in what it described as a drone attack perpetrated by Yemen's Houthi...

The victims "were martyred while performing their sacred national duty to defend the southern borders of the sister Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", which has led a military coalition against Yemen's Houthi rebels since 2015, the military said in a statement. The incident occurred as Saudi Arabia is pushing for a...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia has attracted 135 million visitors to events hosted in 120 cities up to the first half of 2023,Turki Alalsheikh, the head of  Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced it on social media. The GEA has been instrumental in transforming Saudi Arabia's entertainment landscape,...

"The Kingdom underscores the need for collective international efforts to enforce the provisions of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and ensure its universal adoption. We also stress the importance of countering nuclear proliferation in the Middle East," the Saudi minister adds.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-- Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) has launched a new TV channel called Saudia Alaan (Saudi Now) to highlight the kingdom’s “rapid progress” towards the Saudi Vision 2030 and its recent advancements. The ceremony, held under the patronage of the Minister of Media and Chairman of the Board of...

The Public Investment Fund is a related party to the contracts.

TRENDS digs into Saudi Arabia's booming real estate sector and ambitious projects to find how they offers investors lucrative, long-term, and sustainable growth opportunities.

Yinchuan, China--The sixth China-Arab States Expo commenced today in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, marking yet another chapter in the ever-expanding economic and trade nexus between China and its Arab counterparts. Spanning a sprawling 40,000 square meters, the Expo boasts an offline exhibition arena with participation from over...

JERUSALEM - Israel offered its congratulations to Saudi Arabia on the kingdom's national day on Saturday as the two countries move closer towards a possible normalization of ties. "We send our sincere congratulations to the king, government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the...

New York, United States - Following the historic normalization deal with Saudi Arabia, six or seven additional Muslim nations are poised to make peace with Israel, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said on Friday in an interview with KAN News. The revelation comes on the heels of Prime Minister Benjamin...

Beijing, China - Saudi Arabia is seeking Chinese investment in mining and industrial sectors. The Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef met with Chinese investors in Shanghai, where they discussed investment opportunities available in the Kingdom in various sectors The Saudi side highlighted the goals of...

The Kingdom now ranks 17th in global economic rankings and 17th out of 64 countries for global economic competitiveness.

This comes after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hinted at the ongoing efforts to establish ties between the two nations during an interview with Fox News.

ABU DHABI, UAE - The volume of trade exchange between the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia grew by 28 percent in 2022, reaching US$37.4 billion (AED 137.51 billion), compared to US$29 billion (AED 107.41 billion) in 2018. The total non-oil trade between the UAE and Saudi Arabia rose...

Iran announced the restoring of diplomatic ties with Djibouti over seven years after it joined other regional nations in severing ties with Tehran in support of Saudi Arabia. The decision by the Horn of Africa nation came months after Shiite-dominated Iran and Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia resumed relations under a China-brokered...

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas's address came a day after Netanyahu discussed Saudi normalization in a meeting with US President Joe Biden. Israel and the United States believe that the Jewish state's normalization with Saudi Arabia -- guardian of Islam's two holiest sites -- would be a game-changer for the Middle...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Anti-Money Laundering Permanent Committee (AMLPC) hosted a coordination meeting with relevant Saudi permanent committees on Thursday to discuss enhancing systems of countering money laundering, finance of terrorism, and proliferation. The meeting was chaired by Ayman Al-Sayari, governor of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and AMLPC...

The pact will help manufacture vaccines in Saudi Arabia.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA -  Saudi cinemas began the screening of the horror and thriller movie Cello, with global participation of stars from the US, England, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria. The movie is based on the novel released in 2021 by Chairman of General Authority for Entertainment, Advisor Turki Al...

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), which is a member of the Islamic Development Bank, has collaborated with Turk Eximbank to provide a joint loan worth $277 million. This loan includes murabaha facilities, an Islamic finance and investment instrument. This collaboration aims to enhance trade...

Armored cars, missiles and thousands of uniformed fighters filed past Houthi dignitaries in a show of strength from the Iran-backed group, as a military jet buzzed overhead. The parade took place two days after a Houthi delegation left Riyadh following "positive" but inconclusive talks aimed at ending a war that has ravaged...

The $32.81 million deals were registered by Tadawul.

Modified Iranian drones used by Moscow in its war in Ukraine could feed back to Iran, which in turn may employ them in its campaign to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich told a briefing in Abu Dhabi. Washington accuses Iran of supplying Moscow with drones...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve in Saudi Arabia has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming the Kingdom's first UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. The decision was taken during the extended 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh between the 10th...

Netanyahu, who has had rocky relations with Biden, said he believed a deal was "within our reach" and credited him. "I think that under your leadership, Mr. President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia," Netanyahu said. Biden has publicly criticized Netanyahu for overhauling Israel's judiciary,...

Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi rebels put a positive spin on the inconclusive talks in Riyadh as diplomatic efforts increased to end Yemen's war. The five days of talks were "positive", Saudi officials and a senior Houthi said, after the rebel delegation ended the first public visit to the Saudi...

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in New York with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said "ties between the two countries were improving". After more than a decade of tensions, relations have improved with recent high-level visits, including that of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Ankara last year.

Damascus, Syria - Syrian President Bashar Assad is set to make his first visit to China this week, highlighting China's continued support throughout Syria's 12-year conflict.  China has been expanding its presence in the Middle East, mediating between Saudi Arabia and Iran earlier this year and aiding Assad's regime, which...

The Riyadh trip, five months after the rebels hosted a Saudi team in Sanaa, is the latest hopeful sign for a war that has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The Houthis also met with Saudi defense minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, brother of de facto ruler Crown...

Spain's Securities Market Regulatory Authority cleared the deal.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) and Korea Customs Service have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding mutual recognition of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program. ZATCA Governor Eng. Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi and Korea Customs Service Commissioner Kwanghyo Ko signed the MoU, which...

The WSJ's report, released on Monday, cited anonymous sources stating that while talks between Tesla and Saudi Arabia were in their infancy, the outcome remained uncertain. The report highlighted potential roadblocks, including Musk's reportedly strained relationship with the Saudis and the presence of Lucid Motors, a Tesla competitor, which is...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - About 92% of respondents in Saudi Arabia consider ‘critical national infrastructure’ and are willing to pay more for sustainable broadband with roughly a quarter of them prepared to pay over 20% more for eco-friendly connectivity., a Cisco survey in the kingdom has found.  The survey, encompassing...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-- The Airports Council International (ACI) for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East has established its first office in Riyadh. Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saleh Al-Jasser, inaugurated the office yesterday. Al-Jasser...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said that national airlines in the Kingdom have issued compensations totaling US$15 million (SAR58 million) to passengers in the period 2021-2022. These compensations, according to GACA, were given primarily to deal with issues such as delays, loss of luggage,...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Middle Eastern countries are increasingly embracing the Mandarin language, extending China's soft power influence in the region. While interest in learning Mandarin has declined in the West, Middle Eastern nations are mandating Chinese language education in their schools, , a report in South China Morning Post...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, during its 45th session held in Riyadh, unveiled fifteen new additions to its World Heritage List, drawing attention from both historical enthusiasts and geopolitical spectators alike. "Tell es-Sultan-Jericho", a prehistoric site near the Palestinian city of Jericho, was inscribed, a move...

The kingdom’s Minister of Housing, Majid Al-Hogail recently said that Gulf country's residential real estate finance is expected to exceed 1.2 million contracts with a value of SR600 billion ($162 billion) by 2030.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Kingdom’s Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Dr. Mohammed Saud Al-Tamimi participated in the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development annual meeting in New York. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The...

The United Nations' cultural organization inscribed the "pre-historic site of Tell al-Sultan" located near the occupied West Bank city of Jericho on its World Heritage List, UNESCO said. The decision, which was posted by the organization on X, formerly Twitter, was taken at UNESCO's 45th world heritage committee meeting held...

The Jazlah plant in Jubail city applies the latest technological advances in a country that first turned to desalination more than a century ago. Projects like Jazlah, the first plant to integrate desalination with solar power on a large scale, are meant to ease the conflict: officials say the panels...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has confirmed Saudi Arabia’s credit rating, both in local and foreign currency, as “A/A-1” with a stable outlook. The confirmation comes in view of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to implement significant reforms and achieve structural improvements in recent years, which have supported the sustainable...

Major banks in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including the Commercial Bank of Dubai and First Abu Dhabi Bank, reported record profits in the first half of 2023, says a report.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Kingdom's Ministry of Economy and Planning signed a deal with Alfaisal University to promote economic development and implement awareness programs, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals. Under the MoU, the two parties will cooperate to promote economic development, activate academic research, implement awareness programs...

Hong Kong - The Saudi Arabia-China Entrepreneurs Association (SCEA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The agreement was signed during the eighth Belt and Road Summit, a two-day event themed "Ten Years of Cooperation for Mutual Benefit," which saw participation from...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -  Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, has announced its agreement to acquire a 100% equity stake in Esmax Distribusción from Southern Cross Group,  a Latin America-focused private equity company.  The acquisition marks Aramco's entry into the South American retail market.  Esmax...

Tel Aviv, Israel - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is considering a trip to the Middle East in October as part of Washington's ongoing efforts to broker a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, according to a report published in The Times of Israel.  The proposed visit would...

HANOI, VIETNAM  - A delegation of 80 Saudi businessmen, representing over 50 companies, and representatives from national specialized bodies and centers visited Zamil Steel Building Vietnam Co. (ZSBVC) here. The visit aims to explore investment opportunities, enhance trade, investment and industrial cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. During the visit,...