MUST-READS

• Turki Alalshikh tops Sports Illustrated list of 2024 most influential people in boxing

  The Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki Alalshikh has topped the Sports Illustrated list of Most Influential and Powerful People in Boxing in 2024. Described as “the most important figure in pugilism today,” Alalshikh has been credited for being a driving force behind the Kingdom’s blockbuster sporting events.  According to Sports Illustrated, Alalshikh is motivated by Saudi Arabia’s mission to diversify the country’s economy and promote tourism. The GEA chairman has been at the forefront of negotiations with global players to bring some of the most loved boxing superstars to Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom has consistently proven its capability to hold world-class events and has driven thousands of sports fans to visit the Kingdom, according to Sports Illustrated.

• Saudi non-oil exports jump 12.7% to $6.76bn in October: GASTAT

  Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports surged 12.7 percent year on year in October, reaching SR25.38 billion ($6.76 billion), underscoring the Kingdom’s push to diversify its economy away from oil dependence.  According to the General Authority for Statistics, chemical products led the non-oil export categories, accounting for 26.8 percent of the total, while plastics and rubber products followed, contributing 23.7 percent. “The ratio of non-oil exports (including re-exports) to imports increased to 35.2 percent in October 2024 from 30.1 percent in October 2023. This was due to a 12.7 percent increase in non-oil exports and a 3.8 percent decrease in imports over that period,” GASTAT said in its report.

• Over 2 million registered Saudi freelancers by September 2024: Report

  Freelancing is rapidly growing in Saudi Arabia, becoming a significant contributor to the national economy and assisting individuals. As of September 2024, over 2.25 million individuals were registered on the freelance platform, reflecting the increased demand for this flexible work option. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development established the "Future Work" company in 2019 with an objective of boosting the freelancing sector. It focuses on promoting modern work styles, like remote work, flexible hours, and freelancing. Its goal is to expand job opportunities, empower Saudi talent, and create a new labor market that complements the traditional system while keeping pace with global developments.

• Saudi crown prince receives UAE vice president in AlUla

  Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received Vice President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan at the winter camp in AlUla on Tuesday. Bader Al-Asaker, director of the Private Office of the Saudi Crown Prince, published a photo of the meeting on his official account on the social media platform "X" on Tuesday. The meeting witnessed the exchange of friendly talks that reflected the strength of the deep-rooted brotherly relations between the Kingdom and the UAE. The meeting came as an extension of the ongoing communication and fruitful cooperation between the leaderships of the two countries in various fields, in a way that strengthens the bonds of fraternity and serves common interests.

• Individual investment portfolios in Saudi stock market grows 12% in 3Q 2024

  The number of individual investment portfolios in the Saudi main stock market achieved a year-on-year growth of approximately 12 percent in the third quarter of 2024, reaching 12,755,615 investment portfolios. This figure records an increase of more than 1.32 million investment portfolios, compared to the same period in 2023, when it stood at 11,434,692 investment portfolios, according to the quarterly statistical bulletin issued by the Capital Market Authority.

• Saudi hotel rates are flat, but tourists are staying longer

  Room rates in Saudi hotels are flat, but visitors to the kingdom are staying for longer, according to government figures. The average daily room rate was SAR725.50 ($193.50) in the second quarter of 2024, said the General Authority for Statistics. This was a dip of 0.4 percent year on year. Average room occupancy rates in Saudi hotels reached 55.4 percent during Q2, up 0.5 percentage points compared to the same period last year. The average length of stays was 5.2 nights, an increase of 17.6 percent on the 4.4 nights recorded in Q2 2023.

• Executions in Saudi Arabia rise sharply in 2024

  Saudi Arabia executed 330 people in 2024, the highest number in decades, despite de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman’s 2022 assertion that the death penalty had been eliminated except for murder cases under his vision for a new open kingdom. The latest execution toll, compiled from execution announcements by human rights non-governmental organisation Reprieve and verified by Reuters, is a big jump from the 172 total for 2023 and 196 for 2022.

• Saudi Arabia’s $100 Billion Alat Initiative: A Transformative Year for AI and Advanced Tech

  Saudi Arabia’s rapid evolution offers significant opportunities for global technology providers in areas such as: Cloud Infrastructure and Migration: The Kingdom is building a robust cloud ecosystem, supported by heavy investments in infrastructure and migration. Cybersecurity and Resilience: As digital transformation accelerates, demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions is surging. Technology Modernization: The shift to cutting-edge solutions across industries presents opportunities for tech modernization providers. Robotic Process Automation: Saudi Arabia’s emphasis on industrial automation opens doors for RPA technologies in manufacturing and beyond. Data Engineering and Intelligence: With a focus on AI, the need for data solutions that enable predictive analytics and decision-making is growing rapidly.

• Reconstituted Saudi IP authority’s board of directors approved

  The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property’s newly-reconstituted Board of Directors was approved for a three-year term, the Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday. In the reconstituted board, Shihana Alazzaz, who is an adviser at the Royal Court, will continue to serve as chair. She previously served as the deputy secretary-general of the Council of Ministers and was the first Saudi woman to hold the position. The approval includes extending the membership of Eng. Haitham Al-Ohali, Eng. Osama Al-Zamil, and Dima Al-Yahya. Badr Al-Qadi and Dr. Mohammed Al-Otaibi join the board as new members.

• Who were Saudi Arabia’s biggest sports stars of 2024?

  As the sports landscape in Saudi Arabia continues to shift and develop, more heroes than ever before are emerging across a variety of sports – their athletic achievements helping put the Kingdom on the sporting map. In a year that saw the Olympic Games take place in Paris, there were several new faces who saw their reputations explode – as well as some established names who consolidated their sporting celebrity. Here Al Arabiya English rounds up the biggest Saudi sports stars of 2024.

• 10 of 63018 results<< 1 … 128 129 130 … 6,302 >>