Large infrastructure projects -- mainly supported by the Public Investment Fund and National Development Fund -- are expected to boost the Kingdom's economy further.

The move aims at supporting Kingdom's infrastructure development, boosting logistics and providing unique business environment in transport sector, air traffic and ports.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia--Jeddah will host the first Islamic arts event from 23rd January to 23rd April 23, 2023, which will feature 17 exhibits from Uzbekistan. The event is organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia. The event aims at “connecting the...

The Camel Club will be participating in all events organized by the ICO in the kingdom as a local and international strategic partner.

Nearly six years after the breakup of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has expressed hope that ties between Tehran and Riyadh could be restored through dialogue between the two regional arch-rivals. Saudi Arabia broke up ties with Iran in 2016, after protestors attacked its...

The UAE pledged to roll over $2 billion in debt due over the next two months, with an additional $1 billion pledged during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's ongoing visit to the emirates.

Nearly 60 percent of organizations in the region had increased their cybersecurity spending in 2022, Abhay Pandey, Founder and CEO at MAST Consulting Group, tells TRENDS.

Paris, France--A Saudi film fund announced Thursday that it is investing in Johnny Depp's new movie, a French period drama in which he plays King Louis XV. The Red Sea Film Foundation said in a statement that it was backing the new film, "Jeanne du Barry", directed by France's Maiwenn,...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia---Saudi Arabia and Bulgaria have discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation and develop the economic sectors between the two countries. The two discussed these issues during a meeting between Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim and the Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Industry Nikola Stoyanov...

The signing ceremony also witnessed the handing over of the two exploration licenses for Khnaiguiyah and Umm Al-Damar sites to the companies that won their licenses.

Seeking to reduce its dependence on crude, the world's biggest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, has said that the kingdom intends to use its own uranium resources to develop its civilian nuclear program, according to its energy minister, The project is expected to cost the country some $80 billion.

It aims to enhance global cooperation and design joint solutions to today’s geopolitical, social, economic, and human development challenges. Saudi’s delegation will discuss how it addressed challenges posed by the pandemic and share insights into the solutions that helped maintain a robust performance in the face of rising global pressures.

Face and iris recognition technology vary by country in the region, and expecting it to be implemented in many airports around the world in a short time is unrealistic, says an expert.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) published Tuesday on its official website the results of the Industrial Production Index (IPI). In November 2022, the Industrial Production Index (IPI) increased by 8.6 percent compared to November 2021. The IPI continued to show positive growth rates due to...

The pilgrimage - one of five pillars of Islam, and which all able-bodied Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once - is scheduled for June. In 2019, about 2.5 million people took part in the rituals. For the next two years numbers were drastically curtailed numbers...

Riyadh, UAE---Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment has signed MoUs with three companies to develop and market investments in hospitality, tourism, catering services and entertainment activities besides cooperation in operating residential and commercial complexes. The MoUs were signed with Kadana Company, Lifestyle Development Company and Jusoor Al-Khaleej Company at the Hajj...

In December last year, the kingdom had extended the term of a $3 billion deposit to boost Pakistan's foreign currency reserves.

Some investment trends that emerged at the tail end of 2022 — clean energy, consumer staples, retail, and infrastructure — will gain further impetus in 2023, says an expert.

The oil-rich kingdom, along with Egypt and Greece, is considering a bid to host world football's 2030 showpiece tournament, and Ronaldo's ambassadorial role will bring his reported earnings in the country to over $428 million. Ronaldo is expected to make his Al Nassr debut on Jan. 22.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-- Al-Nassr coach Rudi Garcia hopes that Cristiano Ronaldo will "rediscover the pleasure of playing" when he brings a little stardust to the Saudi Arabian league. "The only thing I wish for Ronaldo is that he rediscovers the pleasure of playing and smiles again because in recent months...

The year-end statistics for 2022 highlight a 3.2 percent surge in container volumes at 10.355 billion TEUs compared to 10.035 billion TEUs a year earlier.

Cristiano Ronaldo may make his Saudi Arabian debut on January 22 after the Portuguese star was successfully registered by new team Al Nassr. The star who was unveiled to fans this week joined the squad list after Al Nassr terminated Vincent Aboubakar to stay within the maximum eight foreign nationals...

Reduction in hunger, provision of food security and improved nutrition, and promotion of sustainable agriculture contribute to sustainable development in the region, says an expert.

Abu Dhabi, UAE--The market cap of Arab stock exchanges has vaulted to $4 trillion by the end of 2022, according to the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF). The AMF said in a statement that the market value of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange reached $714.6 billion in the reference year, while...

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange finished 2022 with a gain of almost 20 percent, making it the highest performer among GCC indices. In 2023, Saudi and UAE ended the weekly exchange down or stable.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia---Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo still needs to serve a two-match English Football Association ban before making his Al Nassr debut, an official at the Saudi club told AFP on Friday. Ronaldo was slapped with the ban in November for hitting a mobile phone out of a teenage fan's hand...

Under the MoU terms, the Ministry of Economy and Planning and Clarity AI will work together to explore potential areas of cooperation, such as using big data.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Saudi Arabia's first female international referee was appointed by FIFA on Thursday, less than a year after the conservative kingdom's national women's team made their debut. Anoud Al-Asmari's international badge is the latest in a series of steps in football by the Saudis, who have got 37-year-old...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo faces a wait to make his Al Nassr debut because the Saudi club have exceeded their quota for foreign players, club sources told AFP on Thursday. When he was unveiled with great fanfare on Tuesday, the 37-year-old said he was keen to play as soon...

The agreement aims to establish a general framework for activating development in Yemen and addressing challenges related to agricultural production chains.

The Saudi Notarization Law has transferred a number of such jurisdictions from courts to the notarial e-system.

GCC countries witnessed the launch of massive economic and development projects in various sectors last year as part of their strategy to diversify their economies.

The airline launched 16 new destinations and 30 new routes.

The UAE, which launched diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020, "strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard by an Israeli minister", in a foreign ministry statement. The US ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, said Washington "has made it clear to the Israeli government it opposes any steps that could...

Al Nassr's surprise capture of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the latest in a string of high-profile sports acquisitions by the kingdom.

A recently reached Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement has further enhanced the historical friendly relations between Saudi Arabia and China.

Ronaldo, who left Manchester United under a cloud after slamming the club in a TV interview, will appear at Al Nassr's 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park stadium in Riyadh at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) on Tuesday, officials said. Ronaldo's signing until June 2025 is just the latest foray into top-level sports by...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has praised the achievements of Saudi Arabia in e-education governance. In its publication "Guide to measuring information and communication technologies (ICT) in education",  UNESCO said that Saudi Arabia's National E-Learning Center is an example to be followed...

Hail, Saudi Arabia---The second edition of the 10-day Citrus Festival, which was held in Hail region, has concluded after witnessing a large attendance of visitors.The head of the Hail Agricultural Marketing Cooperative and General Supervisor of the Festival, Khaled Al-Batea said more than 80 participants displayed citrus products from all...

An unprecedented rush at the Al Nassr kit store started as soon as reports of the deal were leaked to the local press on Friday night -- hours before the official announcement.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA -  Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai Motor Company for building an assembly plant in the country. The MoU was signed in the presence of  Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef, Minister of Economy and Planning...

Abu Dhabi--The UAE ranked first in the Arab world in terms of the value of manufactured exports in 2021, with a total value of $142.5 billion, according to the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF). According to the AMF's Joint Arab Economic Report, the UAE's manufacturing industry exports account for 43.9 percent...

The country profiles -- arranged in alphabetical order -- summarize recent data, presenting statistical narratives of a country that include economic, political, sociological, environmental, and cultural factors. The profiles also include their performance in 2022 and estimations for 2023.

The Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has signed for Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia in a deal believed to be worth more than $200 million. The 37-year-old former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player said that he can't wait to discover a new football league in a different country.

Mobile data service revenues are expected to reach 60 percent of the total GCC mobile service revenues by 2026.

Many markets in the Middle East and Africa show a larger gap between affluent and non-affluent households in 2019 vs 2022 discretionary spending.

The Frenchman, who has just won the 2022 edition of the Extreme E, has a tough battle in front of him if he is to improve on his three podium finishes and chalk up that first win. Notably, he will need to unseat defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota), a quadruple...

The Saudi and UAE construction sectors contributed the most to their countries' GDPs, with around $45.5 billion and $36.8 billion, respectively, AMF report said.

Luxury segment is set to hit US$ 11bn by 2023 as retailers in the GCC are reporting increased sales due to rising inflation and consumer spending on basics, says a survey.

Khat, or qat, is a leaf which is packed into the cheek and slowly chewed, releasing chemicals similar to amphetamines and resulting in a mild high. It is very popular in Yemen and Horn of Africa countries like Ethiopia and Somalia.