QUOTED

Quoted

“The outlook for initial public offerings in the Middle East and North Africa region remains positive in 2025, with Saudi Arabia leading the market with 27 potential listings.” Saudi Arabia to lead region’s initial public offerings in 2025 — EY [Arab News]

TOP STORY

Saudi MOF and IMF convene first annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies

IMF, Al Ula conference on emerging economies, 2

The AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, organized jointly by the Saudi Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was held February 16-17, 2025. [more]

 

MORE TOP STORYLINES

Rubio arrives in Saudi Arabia before Russia talks to end Ukraine war

Via Simon Lewis in reuters.com: Russia said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will hold talks with top U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on Tuesday that will focus on ending the war in Ukraine and restoring the whole complex of Russia-U.S. ties. Rubio arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Monday on a previously planned trip. U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who are set to arrive later on Monday, will be joining him at the talks with the Russians. The talks will be among the first high-level, in-person discussions in years between Russian and U.S. officials and are meant to precede a meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy advisor to President Vladimir Putin, would fly to the Saudi capital Riyadh on Monday. Riyadh, which is also involved in talks with Washington over the future of the Gaza Strip, has played a role in early contacts between the Trump administration, which took office on January 20, and Moscow, helping to secure a prisoner swap last week.

Saudi Arabia Emerges as Key Global Player Under Trump

Via Amir Daftari in newsweek.com: Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic maneuvers reflect its ambitions to assert itself globally while securing its own geopolitical interests. Its support for a negotiated peace in Ukraine could bolster its influence with both Washington and Moscow, while its leadership on Gaza underscores its regional authority. The Kingdoms balancing act will test its ability to navigate the complex dynamics of great power competition and Middle East stability. Saudi Arabias recent diplomatic maneuvers reflect a growing maturity from Riyadh that we didnt see during President Donald Trumps first term. The Kingdom appears to have moved on from an unrealistic foreign policy approach towards the region, and instead seems to be using its leverage and embracing diplomacy as a tool for regional stability and strategic influence.

Saudi Arabia awards almost $2bn of contracts in January

Via Nadim Kawach in agbi.com: Saudi government entities awarded more than SAR6.5 billion ($1.7 billion) of contracts in January, led by housing, infrastructure and industry. More than half the value of the contracts issued last month – SAR3.7 billion – was allocated towards construction, with the remainder going on water , energy and industry projects, the Saudi Contractors’ Authority (SCA) said last week in its latest Muqawil (contractor) bulletin. There were 15 projects in all, and the capital Riyadh took the lion’s share by value at SAR4.8 billion. This month, the SCA is expecting the number of awarded contracts to rise to 25, from entities including Saudi Electricity Company, the National Housing Company and the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

 

MORE ON THE KINGDOM AND BEYOND

Inside the ‘camouflaged’ Desert Rock Resort: Saudi Red Sea destination draws global tourists at $3,200 per night

Saudi Arabia‘s Red Sea Global’s newest ultra-luxury offering, Desert Rock Resort, has quickly established itself as a global draw since...[By Tala Michel Issa via arabianbusiness.com]

 

CEDA reviews role of reforms in diversification of economy and surge in non-oil revenues

The report sheds light on financial performance during the fourth quarter of last year, including revenues, expenditures, and public debt indicators. It highlighted a 21...[via com.sa]

 

Why Saudi cash hasn’t been able to turn Newcastle into a soccer superpower

Unlike Abu Dhabi-backed Manchester City, which has dominated English soccer over the past decade, and Qatari-backed Paris Saint-Germain, which has done likewise in France, it...[By James Robson via apnews.com]

 

Trump’s Middle East Policy and Its Impact on Saudi Arabia

Trump’s renewal of the maximum pressure campaign could lead to rising tensions in the Gulf after a brief period of relative stability. The Saudis remember...[By Sultan al-Amer via newlinesinstitute.org]

 

Saudi crown prince congratulates Mark Carney on confirmation as Canada PM

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Mark Carney on Friday, on the occasion of the formation of the new government headed by him...[via arabnews.com]

 

Saudi Arabia launches crackdown on ‘immoral acts’ amid social reforms

Saudi Arabia has arrested more than 50 people, including 11 women on prostitution charges, in a new crackdown on “immoral acts” amid ongoing social and...[via middleeastmonitor.com]

 

Saudi Arabia, Indonesia to ink MoU to resume hiring domestic workers

Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate the recruitment of domestic workers from Indonesia to Saudi...[via argaam.com]

 

Saudi Arabia records 23,865 violations in nationwide residency and labor law inspections

The Ministry of Interior conducted inspection campaigns across Saudi Arabia between March 6 and March 12 to ensure compliance with residency, labor, and border security...[via saudigazette.com]

 

Saudi Arabia unveils plans for Global T20 League with $500M investment

Saudi Arabia is set to launch a groundbreaking global Twenty20 league, backed by its $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund. Spearheaded by Australian cricket figure Neil Maxwell,...[via geosuper.tv]

 

Crown Prince launches Saudi Architecture Characters Map to celebrate Kingdom’s architectural heritage

The Saudi Architecture Characters Map highlights 19 architectural styles inspired by geographical, natural and cultural characteristics, derived...[via saudigazette.com]

 

Saudi Arabia launches loan guarantees for SMEs to stimulate investment in environmental projects

Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley witnessed on Sunday the signing of an agreement between the Environment Fund and the Small and...[via saudigazette.com]

 

Saudi pours billions into Diriyah as megaproject nears completion

Developer Diriyah Company — backed by Public Investment Fund — secured $1.6 billion in financing to develop the Wadi Safar project, an upscale residential...[By Kelsey Warner via semafor.com]

 

US vows to keep hitting Houthis until shipping attacks stop

The United States will keep attacking Yemen's Houthis until they end...[By Phil Stewart, Mohammed Ghobari and Gabriella Borter via reuters.com]

 

Gulf digitalisation growth barely moving needle in productivity

Improvements in the availability and quality of digital infrastructure and services have yet to impact productivity growth in the Gulf economies...[By Valentina Pasquali via agbi.com]

 

CERAWeek 2025: triumphalism, agnosticism, and a touch of fear

CERAWeek, the annual gathering of the energy elite in Houston, Texas, is an intense crash course in the state of world...[By Frank Kane via agbi.com]

 

Trade wars and oil woes fuel market uncertainty

Between 10am and 4:30pm on March 11 the tariff rate on Canadian aluminium and steel imports to the US was hiked...[By Robin Mills via agbi.com]

 

S&P upgrades Saudi Arabia’s credit rating after two years on economic diversification efforts

S&P Global Ratings has raised Saudi Arabia’s credit rating for the first time in two years, citing the country’s economic...[By John Benny via thenationalnews.com]

 

Navantia Begins Construction of Saudi Arabia’s Seventh Avante 2200 Corvette

Spanish defense contractor Navantia has cut the steel of the Royal Saudi Naval Force’s seventh Avante 2200-class corvette at its shipyard in San Fernando. The...[By Rojoef Manuel via thedefensepost.com]

 

‘Bad Boys 3’ Directors Shooting Saudi Blockbuster ‘The Seven Dogs,’ First-Look Image Revealed

“Bad Boys 3” directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are shooting Saudi blockbuster “The Seven Dogs,” featuring...[By Nick Vivarelli via variety.com]

 

Top US envoy to meet Russian officials for Ukraine peace talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to meet Russian officials in Saudi Arabia in the coming days for talks aimed at ending...[By Malu Cursino via bbc.com]

 

Saudi Prince Steps In as Power Broker in Trump’s New World Order

MBS, as the oil-rich kingdom’s de facto ruler is known, is one of the few global power brokers to enjoy a close relationship with Trump...[By Sam Dagher, Fiona MacDonald and Peter Martin via yahoo.com]

 

Saudi Arabia seeks to mediate between Trump and Iran on new nuclear deal

Saudi Arabia is open to mediating between the Trump administration and Iran in pursuit of a new...[By Abbas Al Lawati via cnn.com]

 

Rubio says talks in Saudi Arabia meant to be opening step toward peace

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of building trust and opening communication with Russia as he and other top Trump...[By Amanda Friedman via politico.com]

 

Saudi Arabia vows full support to Lebanon’s actions to safeguard citizens’ security

Saudi Arabia expressed on Sunday its full support for the measures taken by the Lebanese government to safeguard the security of its citizens and respond...[via com.sa]

 

Top US diplomat arrives in Israel on first trip to Middle East

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel late Saturday on his first trip to...[via middleeastmonitor.com]

 

How Trump’s dealmaker is shaping U.S. foreign policy

Witkoff has an expanding portfolio that now includes Trump's biggest geopolitical challenge — negotiating a deal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine as...[By Alex Isenstadt , Barak Ravid , Marc Caputo via axios.com]

 

Netanyahu says Israel and US are determined to thwart Iran

Israel and the United States are determined to thwart Iran's...[By James Mackenzie and Menna AlaaElDin via reuters.com]

 

Israel receives shipment of heavy bombs cleared by Trump

Israel has received a shipment of heavy MK-84 bombs from the United States, after U.S. President Donald...[By James Mackenzie and Andrea Shalal via reuters.com]

 
 

Recent Editions

Left Menu Icon
Logo Header Menu