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Saudi Arabia

Starwood to open two new hotels in Riyadh

The properties will be located close to the King Abdullah Financial District

UAE and Saudi Arabia among world’s most attractive retail markets

The two countries are among the top markets for new retail development, according to the consultancy A.T. Kearney

World Bank lowers GCC growth forecasts

The organisation pulled back its growth predictions due to lower than expected oil prices

Expat income tax just a ‘proposal’ – Saudi finance minister

Untaxed salaries are deemed to be one of the country’s main attractions for foreign workers

Saudi Vision 2030 aims to double tourism sector by 2020

Vision aims to boost sector by 18 per cent over the next 14 years

Saudi grants 50 women the right to travel without a male guardian

It is generally considered illegal for women to travel alone in the conservative kingdom

Saudi professor: ‘Arab tribes found America, not Columbus’

Riyadh-based academic believes rock engravings in Colorado prove Arabs reached America first

Saudi to triple non-oil revenue under National Transformation Plan

Key elements of the NTP, including 500 projects and initiatives, were revealed yesterday

UN removes Saudi coalition from child rights blacklist

The move comes after protests from GCC countries, with a review of cases due to take place

Saudi National Transformation Plan to be revealed

A detailed outline of the kingdom’s economic reforms is expected to be revealed this week

Nationalisation drive sees 50% of Saudi mobile shops up for sale

Companies in the industry must ensure half of their workforce is Saudi by Ramadan and 100 per cent by early September

Saudi Central Bank bans betting against riyal peg

Kingdom’s stock market fell sharply on Sunday ahead of sweeping reforms

Saudi calls on Muslims to sight Ramadan crescent moon on Sunday

The first day of the holy month is expected to begin on Monday

Saudi Binladin Group selling off property, other assets to pay workers

Workers reportedly protested outside Saudi Binladin’s offices again this week following non-payment of their dues

Saudi Arabia invests $3.5bn in Uber

The kingdom’s Public Investment Fund contributed the lion’s share of the tech companies recent $5bn funding round

Aramco, GE and Cividale reveal $400m Saudi manufacturing plant

To be operational in 2020, the facility will create 2,000 jobs in the kingdom

Saudi eyes $15bn of bond sales in 2016, post-Ramadan issue

The kingdom is said to have been encouraged by Qatar’s record issue last week

Saudi Arabia hires HSBC banker for bond sale – report

Fahad Al Saif has become the second HSBC banker to be appointed to a government role in recent months, according to reports

80% of unemployed Saudis prefer public sector jobs

New study suggests the private sector is still unattractive to Saudis despite government efforts

Saudi-Egypt causeway to enable 30 minute cross border travel

Plans for the crossing were revived during King Salman’s visit to Egypt in April

Saudi to nationalise 80% of jobs in Makkah’s hotels, resorts

The measures follow an ambitious nationalisation scheme in the mobile sector beginning from next month

Abu Dhabi’s LuLu reveals plans for seventh Saudi hypermarket

The company plans to open eight new stores in the kingdom by 2018

Iranians will be unable to perform haj this year

Iran has refused to sign a deal with Saudi for haj arrangements

Saudi taxi companies given 7 months to modernise fleet

The move is designed to reduce environmental pollution, improve the standard of taxi services and ensure the safety of passengers

Saudi steps up mobile shop inspections as deadline nears

Under new rules announced in March, companies in the industry must ensure half of their workforce is Saudi by Ramadan

Saudi’s Shura Council to discuss allowing women to apply for passports

Currently women in the country need their guardian’s permission to apply for travel documents

GE, Saudi’s SAIIC sign $3bn joint deal to support new Saudi vision

The joint venture agreement will help expand the kingdom’s local manufacturing sector

Emaar awards construction contract for project in Jeddah Gate

ACC has won the deal to build the three-tower Emaar Residences project, which includes 283 units

Saudi Aramco, SABIC deny plans to merge petrochems

Media reports had hinted at the possibility of the two companies merging their petrochemicals businesses

Saudi’s first privately run terminal opens at King Khalid International

The terminal has the capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually