This week, The 966 hosts discuss a potential rival golf league to the PGA from Saudi Arabia, Boeing’s potential comeback, and Saudi Arabia has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. The hosts also discuss the FII in its 5th year and the growing significance of the event, and whether tourism in Saudi Arabia can grow significantly in the next decade.
Every Friday morning, The 966 show will publish a weekly conversation in which the hosts discuss the top storylines, explore the news, people, and issues that actually matter for the Kingdom. Episodes are available on the show’s website, 966.transistor.fm, and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and several other platforms.
Here’s a guide to the timing of each segment:
1:18 – A discussion about Boeing’s prospects in the Middle East and beyond with a recent issue of its commercial market outlook
3:48 – Saudi Arabia’s golf scene is set to come alive with the reported announcement of a partnership with Greg Norman. Saudi Arabia is interested in golf. Regardless of what happens in the coming week, Saudi Arabia is building several new and potentially awesome golf courses, and will continue with hosting The Saudi International this year with the Asian Tour.
5:31 – Net-Zero for Saudi Arabia + Climate Change Summit in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. The announcement was made in a speech Saturday by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI), an event in Riyadh timed to take place just before this weekend’s climate change summit which starts on Sunday in Glasgow. 2060 is a decade after the United States has promised to reach net-zero. The announcement makes it clear that Saudi Arabia will still export oil and continue as a reliable supplier and market regulator during the transition.
21:00 – The 5th FII in Saudi Arabia. Sometimes casually referred to as “Davos in the Desert,” the FII saw conversations and public comments from (just to name a few) Larry Fink of BlackRock, David Solomon, chairman of Goldman Sachs Group, Ray Dalio, founder and co-chairman of Bridgewater Associates and many more. It also saw appearances and comments from just about every Saudi minister, top CEO in Saudi, and more. The hosts discuss why this year’s vibe felt different.
26:20 – Is Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry set to grow? Saudi Arabia wants to be a tourist destination, and the Kingdom is building a tourism industry effectively from scratch. As part of the ongoing economic reforms in Saudi Arabia, authorities want Saudis to want to travel within the Kingdom’s borders instead of going abroad for vacation, and they want foreigners to visit. The goal is both to open the Kingdom up to the world – and more importantly to grow the Saudi economy.
After the pandemic year, Saudi Arabia is going to be looking closely for a big rebound in tourism.
