#Saudi Arabia

UAE's Pure Harvest enters strategic partnership with Saudi's NADEC

Pure Harvest enters strategic partnership with Saudi’s Nadec

The two entities aim to assist in the transition towards greater food security and water conservation in the kingdom and GCC

Saudi Arabia announces new $266m entertainment destination

The destination will feature an e-karting and a 10-lane futuristic bowling experience, a 12-hole indoor adventure golf course, and a 10-screen cinema

Aramco's venture arm invests $14m in Japanese drone tech firm

Aramco’s venture capital arm invests $14m in Japanese drone tech firm

Terra Drone is the first Asian startup to raise funding from Wa’ed Ventures

Saudi Arabia scraps restrictions on Hajj pilgrim numbers, age limit

Saudi prepares to serve two million pilgrims during Hajj season

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, obligatory once in a lifetime for all who are able

Saudi Mastercard

Saudi National Bank partners with Mastercard, SEF to transform esports

The three entities will explore and develop innovative financial products and offerings that create added value and enhance gamers’ experience

Venture debt funding in MENA crosses $260m in 2022

Venture debt funding in MENA crosses $260m in 2022

Fintech accounted for 61 per cent of total funding between 2018 and 2022

Lazard

Lazard names key Aramco IPO banker as head of MENA advisory

Wassim Al-Khatib will also be the CEO of Lazard Saudi Arabia

oil

Oman Energy firm OQ to sell 49% stake in oil-drilling unit IPO

The IPO could raise as much as $500m

Saudi-Aramco acquires Motiva and launches Aramco Trading Americas

Saudi Aramco acquires Motiva, announces launch of Aramco Trading Americas

The move strengthens Aramco Trading Company’s global operations and extensive portfolio, giving it incremental access to the largest oil refinery in North America

Saudi

Saudi 2.0: Digital technologies underpinning the kingdom’s economic landscape

The kingdom’s objective is to become a more prosperous economy, whereby Saudi is ranked among the top 15 economies worldwide by 2030

Jadwa divests stake in Luberef

Davos 2023: Saudi Arabia open to talks on trade in currencies besides dollar

The world’s largest oil exporter is seeking to strengthen its relations with crucial trade partners

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Events Investment Fund

Saudi Crown Prince launches Events Investment Fund, aims to boost culture, tourism, sports sectors

The fund will conceptualise, finance and oversee development of more than 35 venues by 2030, with the aim of delivering its first asset by 2023

Saudi Arabia confident about attracting FDI

Saudi Arabia confident about attracting more foreign investors, says minister

The Saudi government has made more than 700 regulatory changes as it seeks to attract investors

Saudi inflation

Saudi inflation hits 3.3% in December, highest in 18 months

Prices for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels in the kingdom rose an annual 5.8 per cent, while food and beverages were up 4.2 per cent

Saudi Flynas

Saudi low cost carrier Flynas eyes expansion with overseas units

The airline said it would seek so-called Air Operator Certificates in two unidentified countries as it looks to double the scale of its operations

Saudi Arabia's PIF and Maaden sign JV

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Ma’aden to set up JV

The joint-venture company aims to initially invest in iron ore, copper, nickel, and lithium as a non-operating partner taking minority equity positions

Savii

Women in tech: Jane Harvey, co-founder and CEO at Savii

Young girls need role models and as women operating in this space, it is incumbent to show that there is a seat for females at the table

Neom selects GHM to manage The Chedi Trojena

NEOM Hotel Development selects GHM to manage The Chedi Trojena in Saudi Arabia

The Chedi Trojena will serve as a luxurious sanctuary in the Gulf’s first outdoor ski resort

Saudia

Saudia opens airport operations building in Jeddah

The mini terminal includes artificial intelligence-powered self-boarding kiosks and five luggage carousels as well as 15 meeting rooms for pre-flight cabin crew briefings

Olam Group plans to list agribusiness unit in Saudi Arabia

Olam Group plans to list agribusiness unit in Saudi Arabia

The proposed initial public offering of Olam Agri in Saudi Arabia would be the first listing of a global company in the country

Investcorp

Bahrain’s Investcorp set to invest $1bn in GCC real estate over five years

Investments worth $100m are under consideration in Saudi Arabia

Hajj pilgrim restrictions lifted

Saudi Arabia scraps restrictions on Hajj pilgrim numbers, age limit

People visiting the kingdom with an Umrah visa can now visit any city in Saudi Arabia, and any visitor to the country will be allowed to perform Umrah at any time

PIF adds Diriyah project to its portfolio

Saudi Arabia’s PIF announces Diriyah as its fifth giga project

The sovereign wealth fund’s other giga projects include NEOM, Red Sea, Qiddiya and Roshn 

Saudi jobs growth highest in half a decade

Saudi jobs growth is strongest in half decade amid business boom

Companies are looking to raise their staffing capacity in response to an increase in sales and higher demand

Hotels Courtesy Dubai Media Office

12 stunning new hotels in the Middle East that demand a visit

We look at some of the most interesting hotels scheduled to open in the Middle East in 2023

Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports rise 4% to $6.6bln in October

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports rise 4% to $6.6bn in October

Non-oil exports mainly comprised chemical and allied industries, accounting for 41 per cent of the total non-oil merchandise exports

Embracing equity

Saudi Arabia bans abayas in examination halls

The kingdom’s Education and Training Evaluation Commission has said female students will not be permitted to wear loose-fitting, full-length robes at the time of examination

Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan to establish joint business council

Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan to establish joint business council

The committee also witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan

Central-Bank passes new AML guidelines for PEP

UAE Central Bank raises base rate by 50 basis points

The US Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate by 50 basis points

Toyota

Saudi’s Abdul Latif Jameel partners with Toyota to personalise automobiles

The joint venture will bring genuine Toyota accessories to the Middle East region, benefitting customers with more choices of accessories