MUST-READS

• GCC economy set to reach $3trn by 2030

  Panellists agreed that while Saudi Arabia and the UAE are major drivers of this growth, other GCC countries can capitalise on the opportunities by offering services and contributing to the regional economy. This interconnectedness ensures that economic growth in any GCC country benefits the entire region, as seen in sectors like tourism, finance and logistics. The economic union and reduced trade barriers further accelerate this positive impact.

• The case for Arab and Muslim Americans to rally behind Kamala Harris

  Unable to stomach either candidate, many Arab Americans may stay home or vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein — choices that could potentially sway the result, particularly in the state of Michigan. But anything other than a vote for Harris will be, in effect, a vote for Trump. There are over 300,000 Arab Americans in Michigan. President Joe Biden won there in 2020 by about half that, just over 150,000 votes. Arab and Muslim Americans will also be a significant factor in Pennsylvania, Georgia and elsewhere. With the election so close, every voter and nonvoter will most likely contribute to the outcome.

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• Saudi Arabia one of the happiest countries in the world, survey reveals

  The Kingdom scored highest out of all 24 countries in the study, with South Korea ranking lowest at 39 percent and Europe overall sitting at 50 percent. Saudi Arabia leads the top 10 countries for satisfaction with a score of 84%, followed by Egypt (81%), India (76%) and Indonesia (75%). The bottom countries are South Korea at 39%, Turkey (41%) and Japan (43%). The US came in at 71%, while the UK scored 63% and France was at 52%. According to the research, physical health, mental health and financial security are the three key ingredients for a good quality of life.

• Saudi Arabia spending $800m on Riyadh road projects
  The road sector in Riyadh region is witnessing a significant transformation. The region’s total length of roads is approximately 15,000km, and efforts are currently underway to implement new road projects and other maintenance projects in all governorates of the region at a total cost of approximately SR3bn ($799m). The Roads General Authority (RGA) stated that it has executed 23 road projects in the Riyadh region. These projects include 20 preventive maintenance projects spanning 215 km, which cost SR170m ($45m), and three projects to enhance traffic safety, which cost more than SR171m ($45m).

• $5,300-a-Night Hotel Showcases Saudi Push to Become Tourism Hub

  Just six years ago, it would have been unfathomable for hotel operators to be jockeying to deepen their foothold in the kingdom. But Saudi Arabia has since flung open its doors to tourism — making it easier for visitors to secure necessary visas, loosening dress codes for women and ditching a requirement that males and females prove they’re related before allowing them to share a hotel room. Analysts now expect the number of hotel rooms to more than double by 2030 as developers pour $110 billion into hospitality projects across the country — giving Saudi Arabia one of the biggest hotel pipelines on the planet.

• Saudi fashion market cutting its cloth to new measurements thanks to e-commerce boom

  The fashion market in Saudi Arabia is expected to generate $4.37 billion in revenue in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.62 percent from 2024 to 2029, according to Statista. This will lead to a market volume of $7.57 billion in the next five years, underscoring the rising demand for fashion products, fueled by a growing population, increased disposable income, and the government's strategic focus on fostering non-oil industries.

• 4,000-year-old ancient settlement discovered in Saudi Arabia’s Khaybar Oasis, sheds light on early urban life

  The town, named al-Natah, was found within Khaybar’s walled oasis, a lush region surrounded by desert. Led by French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux, the team discovered a 14.5-kilometer wall enclosing the residential area. This discovery, published in the journal PLOS One, provides tangible evidence of organized occupancy. Dating back to around 2400 BC during the early Bronze Age, al-Natah is believed to have supported up to 500 residents. This highlights its importance in the region’s historical landscape and enhances our understanding of social and architectural developments of the time.

• India eyes fintech, clean hydrogen cooperation with Saudi Arabia

  “This visit marks a significant milestone in strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement on Friday. “Both countries are also exploring collaboration in emerging fields like fintech, new technologies, energy efficiency, clean hydrogen, textiles, mining, etc. The Committee Meeting reviewed these developments and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation across various areas of shared interest.” The SPC was established in 2019. Its first meeting took place in New Delhi last year, during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s state visit to India.

• Saudi Arabia condemns latest violence in Sudan, urges conflict parties to respect laws

  War has raged in Sudan since April 2023 between the army under the country’s de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF, led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. At least 124 people have been killed and dozens wounded in the fighting in al-Jazira state over the past 10 days, according to the United Nations. Saudi Arabia also called on the warring parties to respect the Treaty of Jeddah and urged them to agree on a ceasefire and facilitate the delivery of human aid to those affected in the war-torn country.

• Saudi Arabia ranks 12th globally in international visitor spending in 2023

  Saudi Arabia advanced 15 spots to the 12^th rank globally in international visitor spending in 2023, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This achievement marks the highest rise among the top 50 countries compared to 2019. The Kingdom led the G20 nations in international visitor growth, recording a 73% increase, alongside a remarkable 207% rise in international tourism revenue from January to July 2024, compared to the same period in 2019.

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