Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to make rare West Bank visit
Prince Faisal will head a delegation to Ramallah, the first such trip since Israel first occupied the Palestinian territory in 1967. Saudi Arabia sent a lower-level delegation to Ramallah in September 2023.
Arabian Drilling secures 10 new land rig contracts from Aramco
Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia – Arabian Drilling Company, one of the largest national onshore and offshore drilling contractor in Saudi Arabia, announced on Tuesday that it secured multiple contracts from Aramco for ten) additional Land Rigs worth SAR 3 billion ($0.80 billion). The ten contracts are for additional land rigs assigned to...Brazil midfielder Fabinho quits Liverpool, signs deal with Al-Ittihad
Fabinho, the Brazil midfielder, will join Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante at Al-Ittihad, one of four Saudi clubs controlled by the Gulf state's sovereign wealth fund. He has signed a three-year deal after completing his move from Liverpool. The 29-year-old was left out of Liverpool's pre-season squads for trips to...SAUDIA adds new A321neo aircraft to its fleet
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, announced the expansion of its fleet with the addition of new aircraft type, Airbus A321neo under the slogan “A neo-way of flying.” The airline aims to add 20 more A321neo aircrafts to its fleet by 2026.The A321neo aircraft...Thriving businesses elevate UAE’s position globally
The country ascends four spots in Kearney's 2023 Global Services Location Index, reflecting its thriving business environment and emergence as a tech hub with 4,000+ startups.OIC disappointed with Swedish, Danish response to Quran desecration
"It is unfortunate that the concerned authorities claiming freedom of expression continue to provide licenses to repeat these acts contrary to international law, and this leads to a lack of respect for religions," OIC Secretary-general Hissein Brahim Taha said. Around the time Taha was speaking, two men set the Quran...Saudi Arabia real GDP grows 1.1 percent in Q2 2023
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The real GDP of Saudi Arabia grew by 1.1 percent in the second quarter of 2023, compared to the second quarter of 2022, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).Flash estimates for the GDP in Q2 of 2023, issued in a report by GASTAT, showed...French footballer Maximin to play for Al-Ahli after three-year deal
Paris, France - French winger Allan Saint-Maximin on Sunday signed a three-year deal with Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli after leaving English club Newcastle as the cash-rich and ambitious Gulf kingdom's league snared another top-level player."We pick the best, and he's one of them," Al-Ahli said on social media.The financial terms of the...Quran set alight at protest outside Sweden parliament
Two men set the Quran alight outside parliament in Stockholm at a protest similar to previous ones that have sparked tensions between Sweden and Middle Eastern countries. Salwan Momika and Salwan Najem kicked and stomped on the Muslim holy book, then set its pages on fire before slamming it shut.PIF-owned SEVEN starts construction of $346m Almadinah project
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced the start of construction on its new entertainment destination in Almadinah. The $346-million project, which is expected to be completed in 2025, is being developed...Iran to ‘pursue rights’ over disputed gas field, also claimed by KSA, Kuwait
Earlier this month, Kuwait had invited Iran for another round of maritime border talks after Tehran said it was ready to start drilling in the field. On Thursday, Sky News Arabia quoted Kuwait's Oil Minister Saad Al-Barrak as saying his country would begin "drilling and production" at the gas field...Riyadh, Jeddah among world’s least expensive cities
Key global reports list Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and Jeddah among the world's least expensive cities for living. TRENDS finds out the cost of living in other cities of the Kingdom.Saudi Arabia’s mining company Ma’aden to buy 10% of Brazilian firm
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabian Mining Company, known as Ma’aden, has agreed to acquire a 10 percent stake in Brazil’s base metals company Vale, it said in a bourse statement on Sunday, as part of a strategy to invest in global mining assets.A binding agreement was signed by Manara,...Saudi Arabia aims for 30% marine reserves by 2030
Dr Faqeeha commends the G20's support for the global platform CORDAP (Collaborative Action on Coral Reefs and People), which was launched during the Kingdom's G20 presidency. CORDAP aims to accelerate research and development for coral reefs globally and strengthen preservation and restoration efforts.Global exports propel Saudi date industry to the top
The Kingdom's exports of dates and their derivatives increased by 5.4 percent annually in 2022, reaching a value of US$ 340 million.Saudi Arabia to host talks on Ukraine war in push for peace
The talks to be hosted in the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah next weekend will discuss a path toward peace in Ukraine, convening representatives from Kyiv, Western powers and developing countries. Russia is likely to miss the meeting just as it did not participate in a similar gathering last...Saudi Arabia turns to maritime to diversify revenues
Saudi Aramco's King Salman Complex, set to be the largest marine industry hub in the Middle East, is expected to boost Saudi Arabia's GDP by over $17 billion.UAE is fourth biggest market for Indian spices
NEW DELHI, INDIA - The UAE ranked fourth in the world among the top 12 markets for Indian spices in the fiscal year 2022-23, the Spices Board of India announced.Spice traders, regulatory authorities, import associations and trade officials from the Gulf will be invited for the 14th World Spice Congress...PIF sets up tourism firm Asfar
Firm Saudi Tourism Investment Company has been set up.Tabreed H1 23 net profit $105m
New customers and projects were added in H1 2023.SAB H1 profit up 59%
The bank's profit in Q2 increased by 43% compared to Q2 2022.Saudi summons Danish diplomat to protest Quran burning
During the meeting on Thursday with the Danish charge d'affaires, foreign ministry officials delivered a protest note urging an end to "these disgraceful acts, which violate all religious teachings (and) international laws and norms" and can "fuel hatred between religions", the official Saudi Press Agency said. Saudi Arabia and Iraq...Biden pursuing Middle East peace deal anchored in Saudi-Israel normalization: report
As part of this potential deal, Saudi Arabia would normalize relations with Israel, contingent on Israel making concessions to the Palestinians.Saudi club Al-Ettifaq signs English footballer Jordan Henderson
Liverpool, United Kingdom - Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson completed his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq on Thursday, becoming the latest big-name player to be lured to the Gulf state.The England midfielder, who posted a farewell message on Wednesday, has ended a 12-year stay at Anfield, during which he won...Saudi Arabia poised to become global biotech hub with $3.9bn R&D investment
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a potential world-leading hub for biotech research, development, and pharmaceutical manufacturing following an investment of $3.9 billion in research and development (R&D) since 2021. The country's strategic move aligns with its ambitious goals of economic diversification and addressing crucial healthcare and...Saudi fighter jet crashes in training, killing crew
The air force jet was on a training exercise when it crashed on Wednesday in the south of the country, killing its crew, according to the kingdom's defense ministry. The statement from the ministry said that the accident resulted in the "martyrdom of the aircrew" without specifying exactly how many...Saudi PIF signs MoU with Oman Investment Authority to expand investment in Oman
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Thursday that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) to expand cooperation and investment between the two entities, enabling new investments in Oman’s rapidly growing economy.The MoU provides incentives for PIF and...Fawry to expand into Saudi Arabia
The money transfer firm plans to set up base across the GCC.Saudi Arabia at 16 position in Lloyd’s List 2023 rankings
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was ranked 16 in annual container throughput by the 2023 edition of the Lloyd’s List One Hundred Ports, steadily improving on the 24th position it occupied last year.The Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Saudi Posts Authority...Kuwait records its first fiscal surplus in nine years on oil prices surge
The Gulf emirate, whose revenues rely heavily on hydrocarbons, closed its fiscal balance with a surplus of $21 billion, the ministry said. More than 92 percent of revenues came from oil after prices surged following last year's Russian invasion of Ukraine.IMF Global Outlook: Saudi slowdown to weigh on MECA growth
A projected decline in the Middle East and Central Asia from 5.4 percent in 2022 to 2.5 percent in 2023 has been attributed to a steeper-than-expected growth slowdown in the Kingdom from 8.7 percent in 2022 to 1.9 percent in 2023, a negative revision of 1.2 percentage points.L&T Construction secures orders in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, India
Dubai, UAE - L&T Construction, part of Larsen & Toubro, has secured new orders in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and India.The company will construct a ±525kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission segment in Saudi Arabia. This forms part of a large capacity Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based HVDC system, connecting...Saudi Arabia’s oil exports fell by nearly 38 percent in May
The share of oil exports in total exports decreased from 80.8 percent in May 2022 to 74.1 percent in May 2023, according to General Authority on Statistics (GASTAT). Compared to April 2023, total merchandise exports decreased by SAR 7.0 billion or 6.7 percent.Expo bid validates Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic skills
While challenges remain in Saudi Arabia's bid for the Expo 2030 despite increasing global support, the Kingdom seems determined to continue its journey of transformation, with or without the Expo, marking a new era for Saudi Arabia on the international stage, the India-based journalist adds.Flying taxis: Saudi Arabia stares at sustainable skies
NEOM, the Kingdom's futuristic city, hosts Volocopter's pioneering eVTOL aircraft test flights, marking a substantial stride towards sustainable, smart mobility.Al Rajhi Bank’s profit dips marginally
The decline was attributed to decrease in total operating income.Bank Albilad H1 profit up 14%
The H1 profit reached SAR 1.14bn ($303m) and Q2 profit SAR 585.9m.$1.3trn mineral reserves shift Saudi focus to mining
The Kingdom, leveraging its significant copper reserves across the nation, seeks to address the global shortage, particularly crucial amid the transition towards clean energy.Tourism turns the Kingdom into a rising global star
In just few years, Saudi Arabia has leapt up the global rankings to become a leading destination for international tourists, with rapid growth transforming its tourism sector.Strong growth key to GCC’s FDI appeal
Saudi Arabia has reentered into this year's Kearney FDI Confidence Index, which ranks the markets likely to attract the most investment in the next three years.PIF establishes company for developing Ajwa dates products
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, announced Sunday it has established Al Madinah Heritage Company to improve the quality and production capacity of Ajwa dates in the Madinah region.The launch of the Company will help further develop the Saudi Food and Agriculture industry...ANB profit up 51 percent in H1
The growth was backed by net special commission income.Suspect identified in UN personnel’s killing in Yemen, says official
DUBAI, UAE - Authorities in Yemen have identified a suspect in the killing of a World Food Program official in the southern Taez province, a security official has told AFP.Moayad Hameidi, the head of the UN food agency's office in Taez, was killed in a shooting on Friday in the nearby...Saudi Arabia to host MENA Climate Week in October to ‘assess progress’
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--Saudi Arabia will host the MENA Climate Week 2023 in Riyadh on October 8-12, in coordination with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).The MENA week’s activities and events will be “Global Stocktake” to assess the progress made towards realizing the climate changes objectives outlined in...Gulf economies pivot towards China: Multi-billion dollar investments strengthen relations
Economic ties between China and the Gulf region's largest economies, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have surged since President Xi Jinping's attendance at the first Chinese-Gulf summit in Riyadh seven months ago.IHG to open Hotel Indigo in Oxagon
Oxagon is a coastal industrial city in Saudi Arabia's NEOM.Saudi Arabia’s PIF sets up Sawani Company for camel dairy industry
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced the establishment of Sawani Company to enable the growth of the camel farming industry in the Kingdom and actively contribute to its sustainable development.The company aims to be a leading producer of camel dairy products, supporting Saudi Arabia’s wider food...Erdogan’s visit a game-changer for Turkish-Gulf ties
For the wealthy Gulf states, combining their resources with Turkiye's defense and industrial achievements will produce lasting benefits not only in their economic diversification efforts but also in achieving greater strengths in countering security challenges, he adds.Aramco buys 10% stake in Chinese petrochemical firm for $3.4 billion
The Saudi energy giant unveiled plans in March to acquire the stake in Rongsheng Petrochemical, valued at $3.4 billion. The deal calls for the supply of 480,000 barrels per day of Saudi crude to an integrated refining and chemicals complex owned by a Rongsheng affiliate.Dates exports from Saudi Arabia hit $342m in 2022, marking a 5.4% surge
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia exported 321,000 tons of dates in 2022 worth 1.28 billion Saudi Riyals ($342 million), marking a 5.4 percent growth compared to the previous year.The growth trend is even more impressive when considering the long-term figures. In 2022, the Kingdom's dates exports surged by a...Travel companies give wings to Saudi tourism aspirations
Fueling this ambition is an intricate web of travel companies, including tour operators, airlines, accommodation providers, cruise lines, and destination management companies. These firms are crucial cogs in the grand tourism machine, each contributing in unique ways towards marketing Saudi tourism and wooing tourists.