Analysis Real Estate Saudi residential costs to keep rising with demand The cost of buying and renting residential and commercial property in Saudi Arabia is likely to continue to increase throughout 2025 and beyond, analysts say. Supply has not been able to keep up with the growing demand for housing, concentrated in Riyadh where an itinerant young population, increased economic activity in the non-oil sector, and […] January 20, 2025
Analysis Trade Trump inauguration: Saudi Arabia comes into focus Saudi Arabia looms large as Donald Trump moves back into the White House for a second term as US president, and there are many opportunities for cooperation along with significant challenges. Since Trump was first elected in 2016, one would be “hard pressed” to name a more changed nation than Saudi Arabia, according to Richard […] January 20, 2025
Economy IMF cuts Saudi growth forecast on lower oil production The International Monetary Fund has cut its projection for Saudi Arabia’s economic growth this year following the extension of Opec+ production cuts. The IMF now expects Saudi GDP to increase by 3.3 percent in 2025, down from the 4.6 percent it forecast last October. The 2024 growth estimate has been revised to 1.4 percent in […] January 20, 2025
Aviation Riyadh Air delays launch after Boeing setbacks Riyadh Air has been forced to push back its launch date to the third quarter of 2025 after delays to deliveries from Boeing. The new Saudi airline had been scheduled to begin flying early this year. It is a blow to Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambitions to attract 150 million visits a year. Riyadh Air was founded […] January 17, 2025
Analysis Sustainability Climate and cost: the Gulf’s water scarcity challenge Over the past 18 months, Saudi Arabia has set up a Global Water Organisation, established a stand-alone Saudi Water Authority and presided over the One Water Summit in Riyadh. At the summit on December 5, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called for “collective action” to address water scarcity in the region and around the world. […] January 17, 2025
Energy Acwa Power joins China’s renewable energy surge Saudi renewables major Acwa Power has struck joint ventures with Chinese companies to launch two renewable energy projects worth $312 million in China. The company, which trades on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul), started due diligence on up to eight projects in China, CEO Marco Arcelli said last May. Acwa Power will develop a 132-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic […] January 17, 2025
Opinion Media & Advertising Television: Who watches the watchers? Saudi Arabia is taking a long-awaited step forward in audience measurement January 17, 2025
Mining Ma’aden signs $1bn contracts to develop industrial cities Saudi mineral giant Ma’aden has signed three contracts worth a combined $922 million with foreign companies to develop a third phosphate fertiliser project. The majority state-owned Saudi mining company announced the agreements in a note to the Saudi bourse on Thursday, coinciding with the final day of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh. Ma’aden is […] January 16, 2025
Mining Saudi development fund might invest $100m in Pakistan mining Saudi Arabia might invest more than $100 million in Pakistan’s mining infrastructure through its development fund to scale up operations to meet demand. Minister of industry and mineral resources Bandar Alkhorayef also confirmed that mining company Manara Minerals, a joint venture between Saudi sovereign wealth fund the Public Investment Fund and miner Ma’aden, is interested in investing […] January 16, 2025
Analysis Health Saudi Arabia’s biotech push fuels specialised consulting demand Saudi Arabia’s push to become a regional biotechnology hub is fuelling demand for specialised consulting services, as it navigates the challenges of building a life sciences sector from scratch. The kingdom is keen to develop a biotech sector to tackle the high local prevalence of diseases such as diabetes and to exploit commercial opportunities to […] January 16, 2025
Artificial Intelligence Saudi networking platform Halo AI secures $6m funding Saudi networking platform Halo AI has secured $6 million in seed funding to expand globally in a funding round led by Raed Ventures and Shorooq Partners, highlighting the Gulf region’s enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. Halo AI seeks to connect content creators and brands using highly autonomous or “agentic” AI technology developed by tech leaders such […] January 16, 2025
Mining Aramco-Ma’aden JV to mine lithium in Saudi Arabia Saudi Aramco and Ma’aden, two listed companies on the Saudi bourse, will launch a joint venture for minerals exploration and mining in the kingdom. The proposed venture will focus on energy transition minerals, which includes lithium extraction from high-concentration deposits and use of cost-effective direct lithium extraction technologies. “This proposed JV would enable us to accelerate […] January 16, 2025
Analysis Banking and Finance Gulf sets ambitious targets in its quest to go cashless The Middle East has set ambitious targets in its bid to become a cashless society. The UAE is aiming for 75 percent of transactions to be cashless by 2026 and Saudi Arabia has set a target of 70 percent by 2030. Late last year, the process was made simpler by the introduction of Tap to […] January 16, 2025
Exclusive Transport Tesla to enter Saudi Arabia within months Elon Musk’s Tesla is set to launch in Saudi Arabia this quarter, marking its entry into one of the world’s largest oil-producing nations as it continues expanding across the Gulf, sources familiar with the plans told AGBI. The US electric vehicle maker will open sales through pop-up stores and establish a showroom and service centre, […] January 16, 2025
Business of Sport PIF close to $1bn stake deal in sports network Dazn Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is close to agreeing a deal to acquire a 10 percent stake in the UK-based global sports network Dazn. The deal, which has been under discussion for more than a year, is said to be worth at least $1 billion, which would value the broadcaster at $10 billion, the New […] January 15, 2025
Mining Ma’aden announces new gold discoveries in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia’s state-owned mining company Ma’aden has announced the discovery of “multiple intercepts of recoverable gold and copper grades” in exploratory sites at Wadi al Jaww and Jabl Shayban, in a note published on the Saudi stock market (Tadawul) on Wednesday. In a separate note, it also revealed “strong gold mineralisation” beneath its flagship open […] January 15, 2025
Trade Blinken says Saudi-Israeli deal ‘much closer’ in final speech The long sought-after normalisation of bilateral relationships between Saudi Arabia and Israel remains within reach and is the best path toward a stable Middle East, Antony Blinken said yesterday in his final speech as US secretary of state. “Much of the heavy lifting for normalisation is complete, including negotiations on complex US-Saudi elements of an […] January 15, 2025
Retail Nice One share price up 55% in first week of trading Nice One Beauty Digital Marketing Co’s shares jumped 9.81 percent on Tuesday, beginning the day at SAR49.75 ($13.25) and reaching SAR 54.30 by its close. Eight days after the Saudi cosmetics retailer launched an initial public offering (IPO) for 30 percent of its capital (36.5 million shares) on January 7, its shares have increased in […] January 15, 2025
Mining Saudi Arabia grants exploratory rights to six mining sites The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has allocated mineral exploration rights for six mining sites with a combined size of 890 sq km, according to the Saudi Press Agency. On Tuesday, the ministry announced that mining company Amak has been granted three exploratory concessions in Jabal al Khallah North (98 sq km) and […] January 14, 2025
Finance Saudi Arabia’s Riyad Capital explores $2.5bn IPO The proposed listing of Riyad Capital, the investment banking arm of Riyad Bank, would value the business at $2.5 billion, Bloomberg has reported. Riyad Capital is working with JP Morgan Chase & Co on the plan to list on the Saudi stock exchange, which is expected in mid-2025. Founded in 2008, Riyad Capital offers a […] January 14, 2025
