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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his accompanying delegation arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday on a two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia. Upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Modi was received by Makkah Deputy Emir Prince Saud bin Mishaal, Minister of Commerce Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi, the accompanying minister, and other senior officials. The visit is in response to an invitation from Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. This visit by Modi is the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Jeddah in more than 40 years. Modi visited Riyadh in 2016 and 2019 in his earlier visits to Saudi Arabia as prime minister of India. Upon arrival in Jeddah, Modi said in a statement on his X account. “Landed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This visit will strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia. Eager to take part in various programs today and tomorrow.” In his departure statement, Modi said that he is looking forward to build upon the “highly successful State visit” of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to India in 2023. In a special gesture, Modi’s aircraft was escorted by F-15 jets of Saudi Arabia when his special flight entered the […]
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The Ministry of Interior has announced that expatriates who fail to leave Saudi Arabia after the expiry of their entry visas may face a fine of up to SR50,000, imprisonment for up to six months, and deportation. It underlined the need to adhere to the Kingdom’s official Hajj and Umrah guidelines and instructions. The ministry emphasized that visas of all types and names — with the exception of the Hajj visa — do not entitle their holders to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. It called on the people to report about those, who violate Hajj regulations and instructions, by calling over the unified number 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and the number 999 in other regions. The ministry had previously announced a maximum fine of SR100,000 for Hajj and Umrah service providing companies and establishments that fail to report any Hajj or Umrah pilgrim who overstayed their visas.
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The Makkah Region’s police arrested a Saudi citizen and a Sudanese national for committing fraud by posting fake and misleading Hajj campaign advertisements on social media. They offered accommodation and transportation for pilgrims within the holy sites. The arrested persons were referred to the Public Prosecution after taking legal action against them. The Public Security urged citizens and residents to adhere to Hajj regulations and instructions, and to report about any violators by calling the numbers 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 in other regions of the Kingdom.
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Drinks and snack giant PepsiCo has announced plans to open a regional headquarters and R&D centre in Saudi Arabia. PepsiCo has inaugurated its new and expanded Regional Headquarters for the Middle East in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The headquarters spans 2,800sq m and has capacity for more than 150 employees. PepsiCo opens Saudi HQ Ahmed El Sheikh, President and General Manager for Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan Foods at PepsiCo, said: “PepsiCo has been a partner in the Middle East for nearly 70 years, and the Kingdom remains at the heart of our growth strategy. “Our new RHQ in Riyadh signals our firm and long-term commitment to this region’s future and its people – through job creation, agricultural partnerships, social impact and environmental stewardship.” PepsiCo has invested more than SR9bn ($2.4bn) in Saudi Arabia over the last eight years, including SR199m ($53m) in 2023 in expanding its Dammam facility. Today, PepsiCo operates across 86 locations in the Kingdom and, together with its franchise partners, employs nearly 9,000 people. The company also sources 100 per cent of its potatoes locally to serve the regional market. At the inauguration, PepsiCo announced plans to launch a new SR30m ($8m) regional R&D centre this year […]
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Tourists visiting Saudi Arabia will now be eligible for a refund on the 15 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) they pay on goods and services during their stay. The new VAT exemption came into effect on April 18. The Zakat Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced amendments to the VAT Regulation to facilitate this. According to the updated regulations, the VAT rate will be zero per cent on eligible tourist purchases from approved service providers. Tourists will then receive a refund of the VAT amount paid when they depart from Saudi Arabia. ZATCA will authorise specific service providers to handle the tax refund process for tourists. Saudi Gazette said in a report that these approved providers will share responsibility with the tourist for any refunds found to be improperly claimed. Until the Electronic Service Law is implemented, tourists from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will be treated the same way as tourists from outside the GCC for VAT refunds. The governor of ZATCA has been authorised to issue the necessary guidelines for the tourist VAT refund scheme. These guidelines will detail the implementation process, define tourist eligibility criteria, specify the types of goods that qualify for a refund, set minimum purchase values, outline […]
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Renowned Saudi writer and poet Saad Al Bawardi passed away on Sunday in Riyadh at the age of 95, leaving behind an indelible legacy in the worlds of literature, journalism, and cultural thought. Al Bawardi, considered a towering figure in the Saudi literary scene, enriched the Arabic library with more than 50 literary and poetic works spanning prose, poetry, and intellectual essays. His influence extended across generations of readers and writers in the Kingdom and the Arab world. The Saudi literary and journalistic communities mourned his passing, remembering him not only as a prolific writer but also as a devoted cultural thinker whose voice resonated through the pages of local newspapers. He was best known for his long-running column, “A Rest Stop Inside the Sanctuary of Thought,” published in Al Jazirah newspaper, where he shared reflections on society, culture, and the human condition. Born in 1930 in Shaqra, Al Bawardi’s early life was marked by hardship after losing his father at a young age. He worked humble jobs—such as a scales attendant and spare parts seller—before finding his calling in journalism and literature. His entry into the field came in 1955 when he founded Al Ishaa magazine in Al Khobar, one of Saudi Arabia’s […]
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Saudi Arabia’s vast investments are restoring boxing to the glamour and profile it enjoyed during the era of legendary promoter Don King, according to a senior official at one of the sport’s main governing bodies. “The biggest money is paid here and has been for two years now,” World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman said in an interview in Riyadh. “The way things are now, it’s like when boxing arrived in Vegas. They are bringing back the Don King era,” Sulaiman added, referring to the promoter behind some of boxing’s biggest names, including Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Big fights, big money Driven by Turki Al Sheikh — a royal court adviser and chairman of the General Entertainment Authority — Saudi Arabia has poured millions into staging blockbuster fights over the past two years. That includes Tyson Fury’s two bouts against Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, with combined prize pots well exceeding $100 million. The first of those fights — dubbed the Ring of Fire — was hosted at a glitzy event in Riyadh, attended by football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and rapper Eminem, and generated 1.5 million pay-per-view buys. For comparison, one of Don King’s most iconic promotions, the 1997 rematch […]
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With Saudi Arabia temporarily closing entry for Umrah pilgrims to shift focus to the upcoming Hajj season, many prospective pilgrims are looking ahead and planning for future journeys. One of the most efficient and comfortable ways to travel between Mecca and Medina the Haramain High-Speed Railway – a modern and reliable alternative to road travel. What Is the Haramain High-Speed Railway? Launched in 2018, the Haramain High-Speed Railway was specifically developed to facilitate the movement of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The train operates at speeds of up to 300 km/h, connecting the cities of Jeddah, Mecca), and Medina, and covering a distance of 450 kilometres. With up to 50 trips made daily, this high-speed rail service plays a crucial role during the Hajj pilgrimage, swiftly transporting thousands of passengers on their sacred journey. Train route and key stations The Haramain High-Speed Railway covers a mainline track of 449.2 kilometres (279.1 miles) and includes a 3.75-kilometre (2.33-mile) branch that links to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. The train efficiently connects major cities and pilgrimage points, helping travellers reach their destination on time. Below are the five key train stations along the route: Ticket fares for routes The railway offers two classes of travel: Business […]
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Saudi Arabia next week at the invitation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the kingdom. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the upcoming April 22-23 visit will be the first visit of the Prime Minister to the country in his third term. Previously, he has travelled to the kingdom twice in 2016 and in 2019. The visit will provide “an opportunity to further deepen and strengthen our multi-faceted partnership, as well as to exchange views on various regional and international issues of mutual interest”, according to the MEA. It also comes ahead of the expected visit of US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia next month. Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth largest trading partner and India is Saudi Arabia’s second largest trade partner. During FY 2023-24, India’s imports from Saudi Arabia reached $31.42 billion and exports to Saudi Arabia were worth $11.56 billion. In 2023-24, bilateral trade stood at $42.98 billion, with Indian exports at $11.56 billion and imports at $31.42 billion. Indian community in Saudi Arabia is 2.7 million strong and is a living bridge between the two countries. Indian diaspora contribution to the economic […]
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Global pop icon Jennifer Lopez made a stunning appearance at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, stealing the spotlight both on and off the racetrack during one of the most anticipated events on the Formula 1 calendar. Lopez was in attendance as a VIP guest of Ferrari and was seen touring the team’s garage, posing with driver Charles Leclerc, and enjoying a full paddock experience. She also met with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali during her visit to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. According to People magazine, Lopez turned heads in a bold latex pink catsuit paired with silver and pink accessories. She later shared moments from her trip on Instagram with the caption: “Spreading a little sparkle at Formula 1,” adding a shimmering pink heart emoji. InStyle also featured her glamorous appearance. On Saturday night, Lopez capped off her visit with a high-energy live performance at the post-race concert — her first concert at a sporting event in over 11 years. The crowd went wild as she delivered hits like On the Floor and Ain’t Your Mama, lighting up the stage alongside global artists including Usher, Major Lazer, and Peggy Gou. The show also featured Arab artists such as […]
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