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QUOTED
“Through careful inspection and evaluation of a 25-kilogram sample from each contender over a one-month period, the jury will select 12 winners from the participating cities. The prizes for the top three positions in each city are: SAR 25,000 (US$6,657) for first place, SAR 15,000 (US$3994) for second place, and SAR 10,000 (US$2663) for third place.” Saudi Coffee Company and Alliance for Coffee Excellence launch Sip of Excellence Competition [Global Coffee Report]
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TOP STORY
Finance Minister Mohammed Al Jadaan approved Saudi Arabia’s annual borrowing plan which estimates financing requirements of approximately $37 billion in 2025 to cover the expected budget deficit as well as about $10 billion in debt maturities. [more]
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MORE TOP STORYLINES
Via Dermot Davitt in moodiedavittreport.com: Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport and Riyadh King Khalid International Airport each posted record passenger traffic in 2024, reflecting the continuing strong performance of aviation in Saudi Arabia. King Abdulaziz International Airport served 49.12 million passengers, a leap of +14% year-on-year and a new annual high for any airport in the Kingdom. Jeddah Airports Company hailed the figure as a “historic milestone”, noting that the busiest day was 31 December when it hosted 174.600 travellers. With 4.7 million passengers, December was also the busiest month of the year. In a statement, Jeddah Airports CEO Eng. Mazen Johar attributed the record-breaking performance to the airport’s accelerated operational growth, enabled by the support of the Kingdom’s leadership and oversight of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics. He saluted infrastructure development, emphasising the company’s vision to position the airport as a global hub.
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in wwe.com: WWE, in partnership with The General Entertainment Authority (GEA), on behalf of HE Turki Alalshikh, announced that the 39th annual Royal Rumble will be held in January 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This landmark event marks the first time the Royal Rumble will be hosted outside of North America. Royal Rumble is an annual WWE Premium Live Event that includes both a men’s and women’s match with the winners eliminating all opponents and securing a Championship opportunity at WrestleMania. In a statement, HE Turki Alalshikh said, “Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Royal Rumble for the first time outside North America reflects the General Entertainment Authority’s ongoing commitment to bringing the world’s largest and most important entertainment events to the Kingdom. Through this partnership with WWE, we aim to enhance the entertainment sector and deliver a transformative experience that attracts a wide audience.”
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Via Matt Swayne in thequantuminsider.com: Experts from The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Saudi Arabia recently released its Quantum Economy Landscape in Saudi Arabia report, which outlines the country’s progress, challenges and future roadmap for building a robust quantum ecosystem. The plan is guided by its Vision 2030 blueprint, which sets the Kingdom on a path to better diversify its economy and establish itself as a global innovation hub. “This report marks a pivotal step towards charting a course for a national quantum roadmap harnessing quantum advancements, fostering innovation, and bolstering productivity across diverse industries, potentially revolutionizing the country’s technological and economic landscape,” the report states.
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MORE ON THE KINGDOM AND BEYOND
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Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The Secretary reaffirmed U.S. support for...[via state.gov]
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Saudi Arabia, one of the largest bond issuers in emerging markets last year, has started 2025 with a funding spree as the country fuels its...[By Abeer Abu Omar and Matthew Martin via yahoo.com]
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Saudi Arabia will need estimated funding of SAR139 billion ($37.02 billion) in 2025 to cover the potential budget deficit. Finance minister Mohammed Al Jadaan has approved...[By Pramod Kumar via agbi.com]
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Saudi Arabia raised $12 billion from global debt markets in a three-part bond sale, attracting strong investor...[By Rachna Uppal and Enas Alashray via reuters.com]
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Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund plans to raise $7 billion from its first murabaha credit facility, as the fund diversifies its funding...[By Aarti Nagraj via thenationalnews.com]
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That the Gulf’s various sovereign wealth funds have become some of the most dominant players in global dealmaking has rarely been in...[By Matthew Martin via bloomberg.com]
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The world’s top crude oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, has raised the price of its crude loading for Asia in February by more than expected...[By Tsvetana Paraskova via oilprice.com]
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Dakar Rally drivers and riders recount Stage 2 of the event, where competitors took two days to traverse nearly 1000 km....[via youtube.com]
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In a move that has both bemused and intrigued the global beverage industry, Saudi Arabia has launched Milaf Cola, a fizzy drink made from dates....[via youtube.com]
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Saudi Arabia’s water sector witnessed significant shifts in 2023, with a 31 percent increase in desalinated seawater production, now comprising 50 percent of the country’s...[via azernews.az]
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The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) have announced that the first mandatory phase of the...[By Aayushya Ranjan via techafricanews.com]
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Among the venues announced Tuesday for the 24-team regional competition were the 70,000-capacity King Fahd Sports City Stadium and King Saud University Stadium, both in...[via france24.com]
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Fifa’s decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup has started the clock on a huge logistical undertaking to build the infrastructure needed to...[via ft.com]
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Saudi Coffee Company has launched its second annual Saudi Sip of Excellence Competition in partnership with the global nonprofit Alliance for Coffee Excellence. Designed...[By April Hawksworth via gcrmag.com]
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Severe storms hit Saudi Arabia, as torrential rains and high winds delayed flights at King Abdulaziz International Airport, in Jeddah, on Monday, January 6. Severe rains,...[via news.yahoo]
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Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the provisions of the “Use of Security Surveillance Cameras” law prohibit the transfer or publication of security surveillance camera...[via arabnews.com]
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The United Arab Emirates has discussed with Israel and the United States participating in a provisional administration...[By Alexander Cornwell via reuters.com]
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