Analysis Business of Sport Saudi Arabia gives boxing a chance to reinvent itself World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is no stranger to hyperbole. Thus only a few eyebrows were raised when he boldly claimed that boxing would be “dead” if it wasn’t for Saudi Arabia. The sport was looking decidedly punch-drunk before Saudi Arabia entered the ring almost six years ago. The first boxing card in Jeddah that […] March 7, 2024
Analysis Economy Volatility of crude markets masks Saudi non-oil momentum Volatility in global oil markets, which led to Saudi Arabia’s GDP shrinking last year, is masking the strength of the kingdom’s non-oil economy, analysts have said. Its non-oil revenue is forecast to rise by more than 5 percent in each of the next two years, according to Jadwa Investment. The 2023 contraction was driven by […] March 5, 2024
Analysis Construction Foreign expertise vital for Saudi construction Saudi Arabia’s construction industry needs more foreign involvement if achieving its Vision 2030 goals is to become a reality, according to attendees of the Big 5 conference in Riyadh. In the first half of 2023 alone $44 billion worth of new projects were awarded in the kingdom’s $140 billion construction sector, according to real estate […] February 29, 2024
Tourism Saudi Arabia hits tourism target seven years early More than 106 million tourists visited Saudi Arabia last year, surpassing the kingdom’s 2030 target and prompting it to set a new goal of welcoming 150 million annual visitors by the end of the decade, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Achieving the milestone target of the Vision 2030 economic roadmap seven years early cements […] February 28, 2024
Opinion Business of Sport Why cricket could be next on the list for Saudi Arabia’s PIF Saudi Arabia wants sports with mass participation, rich histories and big economies February 27, 2024
Tourism Saudi visas on arrival for European and US pilgrims Saudi Arabia is offering visa on arrival for pilgrims who are resident in the EU, US and UK, or who possess a valid visa for those countries. The decision is part of efforts to boost religious tourism to the country. The Saudi ministry of Hajj and Umrah revealed the new regulations for the Umrah pilgrimage […] February 22, 2024
Economy Saudi’s ‘whistleblower law’ to bolster anti-corruption drive Saudi Arabia has ramped up its public anti-corruption measures in recent weeks, in a further effort to attract foreign investment and shore up its massive economic reform programme. On February 13 cabinet approved a new law intended to protect whistleblowers, a week after the General Authority for Endowments said it would give a reward of […] February 16, 2024
Trade Hundreds of companies consider Saudi Arabia A survey of 660 companies described as high-growth and from more than 50 countries around the world found more than two thirds were considering expanding into Saudi Arabia. Of the 450 across 37 sectors looking to move into the kingdom, half of them plan on doing so within the next six months. Ease of doing […] February 14, 2024
Opinion Oil & Gas Why the Saudis have to keep oil prices higher for longer The kingdom's vast Vision 2030 plan makes it imperative that it keeps oil prices high February 13, 2024
Giga-projects Jeddah Central signs contracts for major landmarks Jeddah Central, the developer of one of Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects, signed four construction contracts this week for a set of major landmarks. According to the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Jeddah Central’s CEO Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Saleem signed the contracts to construct a sports stadium, an oceanarium, an opera house and infrastructure work in the Red […] February 6, 2024
Opinion Business of Sport Saudi Arabia should saddle up for soft power of horses There is a strong rationale for the kingdom to take equestrian pursuits seriously February 2, 2024
Leisure & Hospitality Fitness brands shape up for Saudi expansion plans GymNation, founded in Dubai, has revealed plans to open 50 new fitness centres in Saudi Arabia as it seeks to capitalise on the kingdom’s billion-dollar fitness industry. The mid-market brand was set up six years ago and currently operates 11 gyms in the emirate, with a further six set to open before the summer. Founder […] February 1, 2024
Economy IMF predicts 2025 rebound for Saudi GDP The International Monetary Fund this week lowered its 2024 forecast for GDP in Saudi Arabia to 2.7 percent, down from 4.0 percent forecast last October. The IMF cited the kingdom’s lower oil production, a day after state oil company Saudi Aramco surprised markets by scrapping plans to expand maximum output capacity to 13 million barrels […] January 31, 2024
Video length: 01:02 VIDEO Tourism Saudi tourism scores big with Lionel Messi video Global Google searches for “Saudi tourism” shot up at the weekend after tourism bosses in the kingdom released a new promotional video starring footballer Lionel Messi. The campaign, which is being launched in markets including Europe, India and China, focuses on overturning common misconceptions about Saudi Arabia. The video has been watched by 50 million […] January 30, 2024
Opinion Markets Jack be nimble, if you want to make money in the Tadawul Investors should increase their exposure to Saudi non-oil sectors such as retail and food January 30, 2024
Construction Neom reveals Zardun: a luxury eco-resort Neom, the smart city being developed in the north west of Saudi Arabia, has announced another luxury ecotourism resort on the Gulf of Aqaba, called Zardun. Neom has rolled out plans for a range of luxury resorts in recent months. These include Aquellum, with a floating marina; a tower complex called Epicon; the mountain hotel […] January 25, 2024
Opinion Cybersecurity Fighting cybercrime in the age of quantum computing The Middle East must learn to navigate the threats and the opportunities January 25, 2024
Aviation Saudi will top Gulf business travel chart, says Wego boss Business travel to and from Saudi Arabia is expected to surpass neighbouring UAE, according to the CEO and co-founder of online travel marketplace Wego. As of the start of this month, foreign companies hoping to gain access to billions of dollars worth of government contracts must have their regional headquarters in Riyadh. The regional HQ […] January 25, 2024
Construction Seven plans entertainment sites in remote parts of Saudi Arabia Saudi giga-project developer Seven says it will open the first of 21 destinations next year as part of its mandate to build entertainment complexes in remote corners of the country. It plans to roll them out over the next six years. Damien Latham, chief attraction officer at the Public Investment Fund subsidiary, said Seven had […] January 25, 2024
EXCLUSIVE Giga-projects Saudi’s Qiddiya to open first sites next year as plans grow Saudi Arabia’s mega sports and entertainment city Qiddiya is adding more hotel space and attractions to its masterplan to accommodate Riyadh’s projected population growth, a senior official said this week. Riyadh’s population is forecast to grow to 15 million by 2030. The city was chosen last year as the location for Expo 2030. Qiddiya, southwest […] January 23, 2024
Trade Saudi-Morocco fund to drive investments – and closer ties Saudi Arabia and Morocco are setting up a joint investment fund as part of a deal to strengthen co-operation between their private sectors. The Saudi-Moroccan Economic Forum, held in Riyadh on Sunday, also included an agreement on direct shipping line projects. In addition, Saudi companies will get more support in accessing North African and European […] January 23, 2024
Opinion Logistics The Saudi ecommerce surge is transforming logistics A young, digitally savvy population is changing the way the kingdom does business January 22, 2024
