SUSTG.com / Research

Discover stories, topics, and more about Saudi Arebia faster.

Recent stories from sustg

MUST-READS

  • UAE becomes top global destination for winter tourism: Report

    The UAE has advanced to 18th position globally in the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index, whilst maintaining its regional leadership. The nation’s Tourism Strategy 2031 targets AED100 billion in investments and 40 million hotel guests. The World Travel & Tourism Council reports that the UAE received 29.2 million international tourists in 2024, marking a 15.5 percent increase from 2023. The council projects visitor numbers to reach 45.5 million by 2033, WAM said in a statement.

  • Expat Tales: Experiencing ‘history in the making’ in Saudi Arabia

    I relocated to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in February 2024 because I was eager to join the company I work for. It wasn't until I secured the role and began preparing for the move that I realised it's not just the company I'm working for that’s making history. Living in the Kingdom right now is experiencing history in the making. Living in a compound means my apartment is part of a community of 400 tenants, many of whom have become close friends. Imagine living in a resort with a group of your friends every day - that’s what compound life feels like. Everything in Riyadh comes alive after dark! Due to the heat, the Saudi way of life is to rest during the day and go out at night. Malls are empty during the day, but if you go at 1am, you’ll have a hard time finding parking. I was lucky enough to get tickets to see Tyson Fury in a boxing match here, and he entered the ring at 2am. You can even get a haircut at midnight if you feel like it!

  • Veteran Saudi actor Mohammed Al Towayan passes away

    Mohammed Al Towayan, a leading figure in Saudi television and cinema, has died at the age of 79, the Saudi Ministry of Culture confirmed on Friday. Al Towayan, known for his roles in hit drama series such as Awdat Asweed, Ayal Qariah, and Ghashmshm, played a pivotal role in shaping the Saudi entertainment industry over nearly five decades. His final film, Mandoub Al Layl (The Night Agent), was a major box-office success in Saudi Arabia and was screened internationally. Despite his long-standing presence in television, his transition to cinema marked a significant shift in his career.

  • 55 Saudi companies take part in Baghdad International Fair

    The Saudi Export Development Authority (Saudi Exports), in partnership with the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, is participating in the 48th edition of the Baghdad International Fair. The Saudi pavilion features 55 national companies representing various export sectors. The exhibition, which kicked off on Saturday and will run through until Feb. 7 in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen trade ties between Saudi Arabia and Iraq while showcasing the Kingdom’s leading products and services. Saudi non-oil exports to Iraq have reached nearly SR20 billion over the past five years (2020–October 2024), with metals and their products, food industries, and electrical machinery and equipment ranking as the top export sectors during this period

  • Saudi sets rules for financial settlement with persons involved in corruption crimes

    Saudi Arabia published six rules for reaching financial settlements with natural or legal persons that have committed corruption crimes, according to the Official Gazette. Under the first rule, the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) is responsible for concluding settlement agreements with individuals or entities that voluntarily submit a request, provided that the corruption crime was committed before Nov. 4, 2017, and had not been previously discovered. The settlement agreement must be made according to certain criteria. The individual or entity shall abide by returning or collecting the funds involved in the crime—or the equivalent value—along with any generated proceeds, if any.

  • Saudi Arabia announces major healthcare expansions, new cancer center, pharmacy chain

    Major medical initiatives to bolster Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector have been unveiled this week, including a state-of-the-art oncology center and a huge pharmacy chain expansion. These initiatives represent growing private sector involvement in the Kingdom. Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH), established in 2014 as a joint collaboration between Saudi Aramco and Johns Hopkins Medicine, is launching an Oncology Center of Excellence in Saudi Arabia. Through this collaboration, JHAH has launched more than 50 knowledge-sharing programs enhancing critical specialities, including oncology, cardiology, neurology, and musculoskeletal health. In parallel developments, Aster Pharmacy announced plans to significantly expand its presence in Saudi Arabia through a joint venture with Al Hokair Holding Group.

  • Secretary Rubio’s Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.  The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed the path forward in Gaza and ways to advance shared interests in Syria, Lebanon, and across the region, to include Red Sea security and freedom of navigation.  The Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister for Saudi partnership in helping to chart a new course for Lebanon and humanitarian assistance to Syria and Sudan.  The Secretary said he looked forward to strengthening the U.S.-Saudi partnership.

  • Saudi Ministry of Education issues directive for national dress for secondary school students

    The Saudi Ministry of Education announced on Friday a new policy requiring secondary school students in public and private institutions to adhere to the national dress code. The policy comes in line with the directives of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency  reported. The decision, which aims to reinforce national identity and instill pride in Saudi heritage, mandates that Saudi students wear the traditional thobe along with a ghutra or shemagh, while non-Saudi students are required to wear the thobe, SPA added. The policy does not apply to students enrolled at foreign schools. The move reflects the crown prince’s commitment to strengthening the connection between younger generations and Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage, SPA reported.

  • Saudi Arabia mandates national attire for male secondary school students

    The Ministry of Education has mandated that all male students in public and private secondary schools wear national attire, in line with directives from Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The initiative aims to reinforce national identity and educational values among students. Under the new policy, Saudi students are required to wear the traditional thobe along with a ghutra or shemagh, while non-Saudi students will wear the thobe, except for those attending foreign schools. National attire is regarded as a cornerstone of Saudi identity, supporting the Kingdom’s ongoing initiatives under Vision 2030 to strengthen cultural and historical awareness among the younger generation.

  • Beyond “Maximum Pressure” in US Policy on Iran: Leveraging Regional Partners to Contain Iran’s Actions and Shape its Future Choices

    In his second term in office, President Donald Trump faces a Middle East undergoing multifaceted upheaval and an Islamic Republic of Iran currently in its weakest and most isolated position since the founding of the regime in 1979. Yet far from permanently subdued, Tehran continues to move closer to building a nuclear weapon, and it is trying to preserve its regional network of proxies and non-state allies. Trump now faces an important strategic choice on Iran policy. Will he return to an updated version of “maximum pressure” and act as an unpredictable disruptor, or will he prioritize his penchant for deal-making and seek a quick pathway to a new nuclear deal with Iran?