#Saudi Arabia

Saudia inaugurates flights from Riyadh, Jeddah to Beijing

Saudia launches flights connecting Riyadh, Jeddah with Beijing

The new routes reinforce Saudi Arabia’s commitment to boost the growth of the tourism and aviation sectors

Saudi

Saudi Arabia expands visitor e-visa to eight additional countries

Nationals of these countries can apply for a Saudi visitor visa ahead of their journey via the official e-visa portal

Saudi

Saudi city of future enlists Dutch help to grow crops in desert

It is carving out an area the size of some 15 soccer fields to form a horticulture oasis on the outskirts of Neom

Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences Riyadh (Image: Supplied by Fairmont)

Fairmont opens its first Saudi serviced residences property

The 249 residences range in size from one-bedroom suites to four-bedroom penthouses

Saudi Arabia’s PIF sets up company to promote sports sector

Saudi Arabia’s PIF sets up company to promote sports sector

SRJ Sports Investments will invest in businesses specialised in offering unique fan engagement activities and transformative sports technology

Hilton to open over 50 properties in Saudi Arabia onrad Riyadh Laysen Valley

Hilton to quadruple its presence in Saudi Arabia, aims to open over 50 new hotels

Hilton currently operates 16 hotels in Saudi Arabia, including Waldorf Astoria Jeddah – Qasr Al Sharq, Conrad Makkah, and Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences

oil production cuts

Saudi Arabia extends voluntary oil production cuts into September

It’s the second time the kingdom has extended the oil production cut, which was first announced in June after a meeting of the OPEC+ countries

flynas

Flynas, Tabby to offer 4-month installment plan for travel tickets

The partnership comes just in time for travellers, especially with the increasing demand for air travel around the world

Nesma Kent

Saudi’s Nesma & Partners to acquire Dubai-based energy services firm Kent

The completion is anticipated by the end of the calendar year, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions

Yahsat satellite

Serco launches graduate space programme in Saudi Arabia

Positions will include a secondment in Europe to gain experience with international space programmes

A321neo

Saudia fleet expands to include new A321neo aircraft

The aircraft is said to offer new levels of performance, seating 180 to 220 passengers in a typical two-class interior layout

SEVEN breaks ground for Almadinah Image courtesy SEVEN

Saudi’s SEVEN breaks ground at new SAR1.3bn entertainment destination in Almadinah

SEVEN has upcoming projects across 14 cities across Riyadh, Kharj, Makkah, Jeddah, Taif, Dammam, Khobar, Al Ahsa, Almadinah, Yanbu, Abha, Jizan, Buraidah and Tabuk

IUCN and RCU teams gather together to celebrate the launch of the IUCN IBEX tool Image RCU

The Royal Commission for AlUla, IUCN unveil new conservation assessment tool

 The new tool allows protected area managers to carry out self-assessment of facilities and practices against IUCN’s Green List standard

World Tourism Day 2023

Saudi Arabia’s PIF sets up company to boost tourism sector

The new company will invest in new tourism projects and develop attractive destinations in cities across the kingdom

Tahaluf

Saudi’s Events Investment Fund acquires stake in Tahaluf, aims to boost events sector

Additionally, SELA, the Public Investment Fund-owned creator of experiences and iconic destinations has committed to being major stakeholders too

Israel crisis hits oil prices

Oil holds loss after Fed raises rates to highest in 22 years

West Texas Intermediate traded near $79 a barrel, after slipping 1.1 per cent on Wednesday

IHG to open Regent Jeddah in Saudi Arabia Imagew IHG

IHG to debut premium Regent Hotels & Resorts in Saudi Arabia

Set to open by mid-2024 in Jeddah, the property will be one of the first new generation Regent Hotels to open globally

SNB’s Q2 2023 net profit up 9% to $1.33bn

SNB’s Q2 net profit up 9% to $1.33bn

The bank’s net profit surged by 9 per cent to reach $1.33bn (SAR5bn) in the three months to June 30

Saudi Arabia allots $100m for Sudan humanitarian crisis

Saudi Arabia pledges $100m for Sudan humanitarian crisis

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud said the kingdom is actively working to lessen suffering in areas affected by crises, conflicts and disasters

Rawabi Energy concludes one of the Largest Private Sector Syndicated Financing Image Rawabi Energy

Saudi Arabia’s Rawabi Energy concludes SAR7.175bn syndicated financing

The lending group also included First Abu Dhabi Bank acting as lead arranger

Saudi Arabia’s PIF launches firm to promote date industry

Saudi Arabia’s PIF sets up company to promote Ajwa dates

The company will play a key role in improving the quality and​ production capacity of Ajwa dates in the Madinah region

Aramco closes 3.4bn deal for 10 stake in Rongsheng

Aramco completes $3.4bn deal for 10% stake in Rongsheng Petrochemical

The deal represents the continued growth of Aramco’s downstream presence in China

Saudi wealth fund sets up Sawani

Saudi wealth fund sets up Sawani to boost camel dairy industry

The company will partner with players in the private sector to boost the production capacity of the camel dairy industry

Riyadh Air PSU sign MoU simualtor centre to be set up at campus Image courtesy Riyadh AIr

Saudi’s Riyadh Air to build first simulator centre at Prince Sultan University

Riyadh Air will partner with PSU to build long-term academic programmes to support students who want to pursue a career in aviation

ACWA Power

Saudi’s ACWA Power granted land for 10GW wind project in Egypt

The power plant is expected to provide the Egyptian economy with $6.5bn in savings in annual natural gas costs and create up to 120,000 job opportunities

Holiday Inn Riyadh The Business District (Image: Supplied by Holiday Inn)

Riyadh gets Middle East’s first Holiday Inn with open lobby concept

Holiday Inn Riyadh The Business District is a new-build 138-key property

Emirates signs deal to sponsor King Salman Cup 2023

Emirates signs deal to sponsor King Salman Cup 2023

The sponsorship deal gives the airline extensive in-stadium brand visibility across several touchpoints and on-site advertising

Open banking is a door to innovation

Open banking: A door to innovation and growth

Open banking is giving banks in the MENA region the opportunity to expand their ecosystems, reach and balance sheets

Flynas (Image: Supplied by flynas)

Flynas expands destination network from Jeddah

The Saudi carrier will introduce flights to Bishkek, Osh and Almaty and also enhance its frequency to Tashkent

PIF and Engie sign Mou to build hydrogen projects in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia: PIF, ENGIE to jointly develop hydrogen projects

The two parties will jointly formulate a strategy to best approach the international market and secure offtake arrangements