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QUOTED
“The workforce is undergoing a profound demographic shift. Globally, Millennials and Gen Z now make up about half of all employees, and this figure is projected to rise to 70 per cent by 2030. In Saudi Arabia, with its youthful population, this transition is happening even faster. For businesses, this means meeting the expectations of a tech-savvy workforce is no longer optional — it’s essential.” Why businesses must bridge the ‘generational gap’ to align with Saudi’s AI ambitions [Gulf Business]
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TOP STORY
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Riyadh on Monday afternoon on his first official foreign visit nearly two months after being elected as president of the country. [more]
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MORE TOP STORYLINES
Via Hadeel Al Sayegh, Federico Maccioni and Abinaya V in reuters.com: PwC is working with Saudi Arabia and its sovereign wealth fund to mend relations with the kingdom, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the kingdom as a whole are major clients for PwC, with over 2,600 of the consulting firms global workforce dedicated to projects in the country. The kingdom has suspended activities between the $925 billion funds holding company and PwC, while its portfolio companies can still engage the consultant, one of the people said. PwC told its employees in a memo on Friday, that the situation with Saudi Arabia related to a client matter, and not a regulatory issue, one of the sources told Reuters. Reuters could not establish how much business is at stake. PwCs Middle East activities generated 1.97 billion pounds ($2.5 billion) of revenue in its last set of full-year accounts to 30 June 2024. It did not provide a breakdown for Saudi Arabia.
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Via Gopi Krishna Bhamidipati in agsiw.org: South Asia – India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives – remains one of the most strategically critical yet least integrated regions in the world, both politically and economically. With one-quarter of the world’s population, abundant natural resources, and large consumer markets, South Asian countries have significant economic potential. However, intraregional trade amounted to just $23 billion in 2025, far below the projected $67 billion threshold and a miniscule fraction of India’s over $130 billion annual bilateral trade with China. South Asia occupies the strategic land bridge between the booming economies of East Asia and the energy-rich Gulf Cooperation Council countries. These regions are connected by the Indian Ocean and separated only by the Arabian Sea, making the subregion a vital transit hub for trade and energy flows. Nevertheless, despite this strategic location, regional trade blocs do not reflect strong trade figures for the subregion.
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Via Dana Taib Menmy in newarab.com: Iraq’s media regulator has banned the broadcast of the historical drama Muawiya during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on the Saudi Arabian television channel MBC Iraq, citing concerns that it could incite sectarian tensions. The Iraqi Media and Communications Commission (CMC) announced the decision on Saturday, stating that it was exercising its legal authority to regulate the countrys media sector. The broadcast of historically controversial content may provoke sectarian debates, which could threaten social harmony and disrupt the fabric of society, particularly during Ramadan, the commission said in a statement. Muawiya explores the life of Umayyad Caliph Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, who played a central role in the First Fitna—the civil war that followed the assassination of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan in the 7th century. Despite the Iraqi ban, Muawiya is set to air during Ramadan on MBCs main channels, ensuring its availability to audiences across the region.
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MORE ON THE KINGDOM AND BEYOND
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“Bad Boys 3” directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are shooting Saudi blockbuster “The Seven Dogs,” featuring...[By Nick Vivarelli via variety.com]
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Dar Global, the international development arm of Saudi-listed Dar Al Arkan, has purchased two land plots in Jeddah and Riyadh for $390...[By Pramod Kumar via agbi.com]
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At last week’s CERAWeek conference of energy leaders in Houston, he caused a stir at one panel session by suggesting that...[By Frank Kane via agbi.com]
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Saudi Arabia‘s non-oil economy is expanding at more than four times the rate of the oil sector, with the capital enjoying...[By Edmund Bower via agbi.com]
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Since 2016 the US has transformed into the world’s largest LNG exporter, eclipsing Australia and Qatar. Donald Trump is now determined...[By Matein Khalid via agbi.com]
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Lebanon and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have a rich history of mutually beneficial ties. Since the 1950s, highly skilled and educated Lebanese professionals...[By Barbara Slavin via stimson.org]
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In an environment of rising protectionism and persistent geopolitical tensions, the GCC region will remain resilient and is expected to register a GDP growth of...[By Yara Abi Farraj via economymiddleeast.com]
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Saudi Arabia aims to solidify its position as the world’s top oil supplier, with Aramco planning to boost production. The state-owned giant will increase output...[By Oshionameh Ajayi via theelectricityhub.com]
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U.S. forces are continuing strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen that began over the weekend, Pentagon officials told reporters on Monday, and the strikes will...[By Meghann Myers via defenseone.com]
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S&P Global Ratings has upgraded Saudi Arabia’s rating to “A+” from “A” with a stable outlook, citing socioeconomic and capital market...[By Pramod Kumar via agbi.com]
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Saudi Arabia’s SURJ Sports Investment is backing a new global Twenty20 cricket league and is prepared to pump US$500 million into the project, according to ...[By Ed Dixon via sportspro.com]
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At least 274 Kenyan workers, most of whom are women, have died in Saudi Arabia over the past five years despite being a young workforce...[via middleeasteye.net]
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The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced that the number of valid mining licenses in Saudi Arabia reached 2,401 by the end of 2024....[via spa.gov]
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