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10 months ago
The Saudi Ministry of Defense signed ten contracts with local and international companies at the World Defense Show 2024 to enhance the capabilities of armed forces branches, improve their combat efficiency, and contribute to the support and localization of defense manufacturing. This aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to localize over 50% of military equipment and services spending, according to Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The contracts included agreements with Rheinmetall Arabia Simulation and Training (RAST), South Africa’s HENSOLDT GEW, Spain’s Rheinmetall Expal, Bosnia Igman Company, Korea’s Poongsan Corporation, Qudra Industrial Company, Fahad International Company, and the National Company for Mechanical Systems.
10 months ago
A hoped-for ‘deal of the century’ involving a permanent Saudi Arabia-Israel detente diplomatic recognition based on Trump’s Abraham Accords looks to be effectively dead, at a moment that a hoped-for Hamas-Israel truce also looks dead. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry has issued a new statement confirming the kingdom will not participate in deal with Israel until an “independent Palestinians state is recognized”. Riyadh has made it clear in the Wednesday statement that Saudi-Israel peace off the table until an “independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.” The statement included a demand for a full Gaza retreat on the part of Israeli forces. The Saudis say there can be no detente until “Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip.” It further calls for east Jerusalem to be established as the capital of a Palestinian state, “so that the Palestinian people can obtain their legitimate rights and so that a comprehensive and just peace is achieved for all.” Crucially it was only on Monday that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Riyadh as part of his new Gaza-related tour. Blinken met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Riyadh. The […]
10 months ago
NEOM has announced Xaynor, a beachfront private members’ club, on the rocky landscapes of the Gulf of Aqaba. Xaynor is the latest addition to the evolving regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia. Xaynor’s secluded seafront location offers a discreet destination where club members can unwind on the Gulf of Aqaba’s beautiful unspoiled coastline. NEOM announces Xaynor beach club With its striking architectural design and thoughtfully curated interior, Xaynor elevates comfort and sophistication, offering an environment primed for leisure, relaxation, entertainment, and conversation. Arriving in Xaynor, guests will be greeted by a canopy entrance, blending with the natural landscape and providing a captivating pathway down to the beach. This distinct architectural style integrates concealed retreats and expansive open spaces. Xaynor will include private pools, beachside lounges, gourmet dining, a signature entertainment venue, and a world-class spa and wellness centre. Xaynor also boasts boutique shopping and leisure options, accompanied by members-only experiences personalised in collaboration with internationally renowned brand partners in fashion, art and lifestyle. NEOM is positioning Xaynor as an ultra-chic beach resort luxury, which will merge indoor and outdoor spaces and stand as an icon of elegance along the Gulf of Aqaba’s shores. Aligned with NEOM’ commitment to conservation and innovation, Xaynor […]
10 months ago
Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has launched new electronic services for expatriates as part of the kingdom’s digital transformation. Available on the Interior Ministry’s Absher and Muqeem portals, the latest services include reporting about the loss or theft of passport or a residency permit, visitor’s digital document, amending the translated name, visa information and employers’ notices. Addressing a launch ceremony in Riyadh, chief of the Saudi General Directorate of Passports Lt. Gen. Suleiman Al Yehia said the latest services are aimed to save time and efforts, provide smart solutions, and upgrade services for the beneficiaries. Saudi Arabia, a country of around 32.2 million people, is home to a large community of foreign workers. Foreigners make up around 13.4 million or 41.5 per cent of the kingdom’s overall population, according to a recent census. Saudi authorities have recently introduced a set of facilities for expatriates. Foreign residents leaving on exit/re-entry visas can now return to Saudi Arabia until the last day of their valid visas. The General Directorate of Passports in August said exit/re-entry visa holders can also have their visas extended electronically while they are outside Saudi Arabia after paying related fees via Absher or Muqeem. The authorities pointed out that […]
10 months ago
Saudi police have arrested 19 expatriates for unlawfully organising a motorcade and obstructing traffic on a public road. The offenders – Syrian nationals – were seen driving their cars in an irregular assembly which they filmed and posted it on social media, a spokesman for the Riyadh police said. 🎥 | شرطة منطقة الرياض تقبض على (19) شخصًا من الجنسية السورية لسيرهم بمركباتهم في تجمع غير نظامي في موكب وعرقلة الحركة المرورية وتوثيق ذلك ونشره. pic.twitter.com/MmPyQ0UWcr — الأمن العام (@security_gov) February 6, 2024 “They were arrested. Legal procedures were taken against them and they were referred to prosecution,” the official said without saying when the incident took place. Saudi Arabia has recently toughened penalties against traffic offences to reduce road crashes. The kingdom’s police have reported arresting several motorists in different cases for committing documented violations while on the road. In November, Saudi police said security patrols had arrested a woman in Riyadh after she had appeared in a video disrupting traffic and violating public morals. A video circulating on social media at the time showed a woman standing next to a car with an open door and dancing to recorded music. A month earlier, police said they had arrested […]
10 months ago
Saudi Arabia will host the 2024 West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Women’s Championship this month – the first official 11-a-side women’s tournament ever held in the Kingdom. A milestone moment for women’s football in Saudi Arabia, the 2024 WAFF Women’s Championship will take place from 19-29 February in the coastal city of Jeddah with the upcoming eighth edition set to welcome eight teams. The host nation will be joined by Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and two guests – Guam and Nepal. The tournament will begin in group stage format with two groups of four, followed by the semi-finals and final with matches played at the King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City stadiums. The WAFF Women’s Championship is the latest international football tournament making its way to Jeddah, where the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup had recently been held. Jeddah also played host to the 2022 WAFF Futsal Championship where the national team rose to the occasion in front of its home fans and ended the tournament in second place with a silver medal. This upcoming edition also marks the Saudi Arabia women’s national team’s first-ever appearance in the WAFF Women’s Championship, as well as the […]
10 months ago
In a major development, the Ministry of Commerce in Saudi Arabia has signed an agreement with VFS Global for new visa application services. As part of this deal, VFS Global will establish a centre within the Ministry of Commerce headquarters in Riyadh, to ensure easy and efficient visa processing for employees, delegates, and subsidiary companies. “It is an honour to have entered this strategic partnership with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Commerce. We are very pleased to offer this dedicated Visa Application Centre service to the employees and associates of the Ministry, to further enhance their visa application experience in a seamless, convenient and secure manner. This partnership further strengthens our commitment to this great nation,” Zubin Karkaria, Founder and CEO of VFS Global said in a statement on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia visas to be granted at doorstep in new VFS service The agreement, signed in the presence of Eng. Mohammed A. Al. Alwaily, Deputy Minister for Shared Services at the Ministry of Commerce, solidifies the commitment of VFS Global to simplifying cross-border mobility and offering enhanced convenience to applicants. With this partnership, approximately 8,000 individuals associated with the Ministry and its subsidiary government institutions will benefit from VFS Global’s expertise. One of the […]
10 months ago
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) signed a contract with Swiss manufacturer Stadler for the supply and maintenance of ten next-generation passenger trains for SAR’s East railway network, alongside the option for SAR to order an additional ten units in the future. As per the contract signed by SAR CEO Bashar Al Malik and Stadler President Peter Spuhler, the trains will meet the latest European and international standards while also being designed for the specific climate of Saudi Arabia to provide a comfortable and safe travel experience. Each train will be able to carry around 340 passengers, with designated tracks for wheelchairs to serve people with mobility disabilities. Saudi Arabia Railways buys new trains Minister of Transport and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SAR Saleh Al Jasser attended the signing ceremony. He said that these trains will double the annual capacity of the East Trains to over 3.8m passengers annually and provide direct express service between Riyadh and Dammam to meet the growing demand for trips between the two main cities in the Kingdom. Al Malik also said that SAR is committed to achieving a comprehensive renaissance in the rail transport field in the Kingdom, adding that these modern trains will serve the […]
10 months ago
The 15th Klija Festival will begin on Thursday, February 8th, at the King Khalid Cultural Centre in Buraidah. People from across the Gulf countries, including 200 families, 20 craftsmen, and owners of traditional businesses specialising in handicrafts, will be participating in the festival, which is organised by the Qassim Chamber of Commerce. More than 700 people will be supporting the programmes over the 10-day festival. The chamber aimed to create a popular product available for sale at exhibitions and distribution points throughout the year to guarantee work for productive families. More than 200 families, along with food trucks, will be at the event. It will showcase and market the Klija cookie as the top popular product in the region. The festival will boast several halls to feature the products and displays of families, companies, and factories. It will also include a Ramadan area, the headquarters of participating regions and countries, a heritage area, a live klija cooking area, cafes, and restaurants. A children’s theatre, a Roman theatre, a space devoted to organic food and natural products, and an area for childcare will also be on hand at the event.
10 months ago
Major redevelopment in Jeddah continues after a PIF-backed firm signed SR12bn ($3.2bn) of construction deals to build major landmarks in the city. The Jeddah Central Development Company signed four construction contracts worth SR12bn ($3.2bn) for three major architectural landmarks, including the Stadium, the Opera House and the Oceanarium. The Public Investment Fund (PIF)-backed firm will also fund infrastructure construction work for the first phase of the Jeddah Central destination location. Major Jeddah development The CEO of the Jeddah Central Development Company, Eng. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Saleem, said that the construction work for the main architectural landmarks and infrastructure for the first phase will begin according to a timeline to accomplish the projects in accordance with the best international practices. ترسية عقد تنفيذ الاستاد الرياضي في #وجهه_وسط_جده على تحالف فرع "الشركة الصينية لإنشاءات السكك الحديدية السعودية المحدودة وشركة سما الإنشاءات للمقاولات" بمواصفات عالمية وهندسة معمارية فريدة ووفق مواصفات FIFA وأنظمة تبريد للمدرجات والملعب، ويتسع لـ 45 ألف متفرج ليستضيف فعاليات… pic.twitter.com/LfYEYyx5IB — شركة وسط جدة للتطوير (@JCD_SA) February 5, 2024 The Jeddah Central Development Company will open the Jeddah Central destination to receive visitors at the end of 2027 from inside and outside the Kingdom. The destination will include several diverse architectural landmarks, the Stadium, […]
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