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Saudi’s Mawani inks four contracts worth SAR1bn

Saudi Arabia’s Mawani signs four contracts worth SAR1bn

The authority signed the contracts with Zamil Marine Services and Naghi Marine Company to provide diverse maritime services

Masdar

Top marks for GCC nations in digital connectivity index

Countries in the GCC are ranking among the highest in the world when it comes to the state of their digital connectivity in 2023

crude oil

Oil eased ahead of Christmas break on possible future Angola output increase

Brent crude oil futures fell 32 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to settle at $79.07 a barrel

The Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. processing plant in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. Lynas, the only key supplier of the critical minerals outside China, has won further financial backing from Washington to build a plant in the US. Photographer: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg

Saudi Arabia studies graphite, rare earths trading platform

The kingdom has been studying setting up the trading platform in the second half of 2023 but a decision is not expected any time soon

Tourism boom: Saudi Arabia’s international visitor numbers soar 142%

More tourists than ever before are visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as inbound visitor numbers have more than doubled since 2022

Oracle generative AI

Oracle targets training 50,000 Saudis in AI, latest tech

The training is set to form part of an initiative called ‘Mostaqbali’ (My Future), and will be supervised by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

flynas takes delivery of 3 A320neo aircraft

Saudi budget carrier flynas takes delivery of 3 A320neo aircraft

The airline has taken delivery of 18 out of 19 new A320neo aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2023

BNPL startup Tamara raises $340m, now valued at $1bn

BNPL startup Tamara now valued at $1bn after raising $340m

With this transaction, the BNPL platform will have raised a total of $500m in equity funding, and well above $400m in debt financing

Maersk

Oil shipments on Maersk vessels could re-route via Cape: Reports

The Middle East crisis is already raising shipping and insurance costs through the critical Red Sea area

oil production cuts

Oil market comfortably supplied despite OPEC+ cuts: Insight

Production restraint by OPEC+ allies has been more than offset by output growth from US shale firms and other sources

NEOM - UTAMO

Saudi’s Neom announces new destination for art and entertainment

Set to be built along the Gulf of Aqaba, Utamo, is crafted as an immersive destination for art and entertainment

Saudi Aramco enters Pakistan with a 40% stake in GO

Saudi Aramco to acquire 40% stake in Pakistan fuel retailer GO

The state-energy firm said the transaction is subject to certain customary conditions, including regulatory approvals

MBC Group sets price range for IPO, seeks to raise $222m

Saudi Arabia’s MBC Group gets $14.5bn orders for IPO

The pricing of SAR25 per share implies a market valuation of around SAR8.3bn at listing

SAXO BANK OUTRAGEOUS PREDICTIONS - 2024

Outrageous Predictions 2024: Saxo Bank picks 8 global events to keep an eye out for

Looking ahead to 2024, Saxo Bank sees a world at an inflection point, with the familiar road of the last decade coming to an end

NEOM launches new food company Topian

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM unveils new food company Topian

The company will spearhead the kingdom’s efforts to ensure food security, mitigate climate change and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060

QIDDIYA CITY

Qiddiya City megaproject brand unveiled by Saudi Crown Prince

Qiddiya City expects to attract an anticipated 48 million visits per year with its never-built-before array of world-class attractions and venues

Saudi Arabia allots $100m for Sudan humanitarian crisis

Saudi Arabia approves 2024 state budget, forecasts SAR79bn deficit

The budget estimates expenditures of SAR1.3tn in 2024 and total revenues of SAR1.2tn

President Putin in rare foreign visit to UAE, Saudi Arabia

President Putin visits UAE and Saudi Arabia, to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

The Russian President is due to hold talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

UAE ransomware

Hackers are targetting UAE, Saudi businesses’ cloud services — survey

The targetting of cloud infrastructure among corporates in these two countries is on the rise, according to a new survey.

siranna new destination launched by NEOM Image NEOM

Saudi Arabia: What NEOM’s new destination, Siranna, has to offer

Situated on the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, this ultra-luxurious destination will be home to a 65-key hotel, as well as 35 exclusive residences

Cop28 Saudi Arabia clean energy focus Saudi Green Initiative Forum

Saudi Arabia sees 300% rise in installed renewables capacity

The Saudi Green Initiative aims to improve the quality of life and protect future generations by increasing reliance on clean energy

PIF to acquire 49% stake in Rocco Forte

Saudi wealth fund PIF to acquire 49% stake in Rocco Forte Hotels

The wealth fund’s investment will include an element of primary equity, and the completion of the deal is subject to regulatory approval

MBC Group sets price range for IPO, seeks to raise $222m

Saudi Arabia’s MBC Group sets price range for IPO, seeks to raise $222m

The broadcaster plans to use the proceeds to repay debt, enhance its financial flexibility and invest in new content for Shahid

Saudi Arabia’s PIF secures $5bn loan covered by K-SURE

Saudi Arabia’s PIF secures $5bn loan covered by K-SURE

The deal is the first export credit agency financing by the sovereign fund and will help finance exports from Korea to Saudi Arabia

Heathrow airport road sign

Saudi’s PIF to pick up 10% stake in London’s Heathrow airport

The transaction is subject to regulatory conditions and must comply with the right of first offer

Crude oil market on tenterhooks over OPEC meet. Image credit: Getty Images

OPEC+ talks: Oil inches higher as Black Sea storm disrupts supply

OPEC+ is due to hold an online ministerial meeting to discuss 2024 production targets

ENVI Lodges reveals ENVI Al Sifah in Oman (Image: Supplied by ENVI Lodges)

ENVI Lodges announces second resort in Oman

ENVI Al Sifah will open in late 2025 and will feature 40 luxury tents

Flynas becomes first Saudi carrier to join UNWTO (Image: Supplied by flynas)

Flynas becomes first Saudi carrier to join UNWTO

UNWTO’s members include more than 500 companies, educational and research institutions, and NGOs

SEVEN Abha unveiled in Aseer Image supplied

Saudi’s SEVEN unveils SAR1.3bn entertainment destination in Aseer

The entertainment destination is centrally located between the cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait, and will be developed with an investment of over SAR1.3bn

oil price

Why OPEC+ members find it hard to agree on oil production quotas

Oil production tends to vary month by month, making it difficult to fix on a permanent production target