Recent stories from sustg

  • Al-Assaf, Al-Rabiah Headline Important Private Sector Initiative in Riyadh
     

    The high-level meeting, an ambitious private sector initiative, addressed joint Arab action agendas, with 21 proposals of developmental projects discussed. Saudi Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf and Commerce Minister Tawfig Al Rabiah headlined this important event in Riyadh, which was widely discussed on Social Media sites and in the general media.

     
  • Breakthrough in Saudi Arabia: 30 women named to parliament
     

    King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia issued Friday a historic decree allowing women to be members of the kingdom’s previously all-male Shura Council for the first time. The decree amended two article in the council’s statute introducing a 20 percent quota for women in the country’s 150-member Shura Council, and the king appointed […]

     
  • How to create a transmedia hit in the Middle East: C3 Summit:
     

    The distinguished panel of industry leaders walked through a hypothetical case where creative people in the business designed a Middle East based transmedia enterprise and talked through the process of launching and promoting it. They provided an overview of developments in their field in the Middle East and the role of education and creativity in […]

     
  • Saudi Arabia’s ‘golden age of learning’ under King Abdullah
     

    The major barrier in the progress of science in Muslim countries is the absence of a culture based on scientific research. There are no established research strategies, poor institutional support and insufficient integration among science-rich communities. Appointments and promotions in faculties must be based on merit. Muslim countries must create a merit-based structure that fosters […]

     
  • Saudi Arabia’s $220bn spending spree
     

    Even at growth of 3.4 percent, Saudi Arabia’s economy will be the envy of most other large countries. That figure is above the average expected GDP (3 percent) of the G20 nations – of which the kingdom is one – according to Moody’s. And, waiting in the wings, is Saudi Arabia’s vast foreign reserves, which […]

     
  • Saudi Arabia’s 2013 Budget – Jadwa
     

    Budgeted spending is at another all-time high in 2013, as the government continues with its program to upgrade the human and physical infrastructure and spurring economic growth. One highlight of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) budget announcement is the 18 percent jump in revenues. With no new initiatives announced, we think this is a sign […]

     
  • ‘Expansionary’ Saudi 2013 Budget Provides for Record Spending on the Back of 2012 Surplus
     

    A recently released report by Jadwa Investment on Saudi Arabia’s 2013 budget highlights the Saudi government’s plans for record spending to sustain the Kingdom’s economic expansion next year.

     
  • Nitaqat: Towards a Saudi “New Deal?”
     

    Editor’s Note: ‘Saudization’ is a topic that has garnered a great deal of front-page ink in Saudi Arabia of late.  The Nitaqat (“Ranges”) Program introduced in 2011 has staunch advocates and detractors and the ongoing argument between members of the private sector and the Ministry of Labor over recent fee hikes for foreign employees has been […]

     
  • Are Members of Royalty “Foreign Officials” Under the FCPA?
     

    For U.S. companies conducting business abroad, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is a constant companion.  The FCPA, “applies to any person who has a certain degree of connection to the United States and engages in foreign corrupt practices. The Act also applies to any act by U.S. businesses, foreign corporations trading securities in the […]

     
  • Saudi Is World’s Largest Market For Islamic Assets
     

    Saudi Arabia is emerging as the largest market for Islamic assets, according to a new report by Ernst & Young. According to the report, Saudi Arabia, with an estimated $207 billion of Islamic assets in 2011, was ranked first in the world. Malaysia was ranked second with total assets of $106 billion and UAE ranked […]

     

MUST-READS

  • Don’t bomb Beirut: U.S. leads push to rein in Israel’s response

    The United States is leading a diplomatic dash to deter Israel from striking Lebanon's capital Beirut or major civil infrastructure in response to a deadly rocket attack on the Golan Heights, five people with knowledge of the drive said. Washington is racing to avert a full-blown war between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah after the attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan killed 12 youths at the weekend, according to the five people who include Lebanese and Iranian officials plus Middle Eastern and European diplomats.

  • Saudi Arabia formally bids to host FIFA World Cup 2034

    Saudi Arabia has officially submitted its bid to host the Fifa World Cup 2034. The bid books will be published after the official deadline ends on July 31, the football governing body said in a statement. Saudi officials, including sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal and Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser Al Misehal, handed the bid book to Fifa.

  • LME approves Saudi port as warehouse delivery point

    The London Metal Exchange (LME) has approved Red Sea port city Jeddah in Saudi Arabia as a warehouse delivery point for copper and zinc, it said on Monday. The exchange said the listing will become active three months after the first warehouse company has been approved in the new location. Warehouses registered with the LME, the world's largest and oldest metals trading venue, are usually located in areas of net metals consumption or top transit hubs such as Rotterdam.

  • A day of chaos in Israel as far-right protesters storm military bases

    Israel experienced hours of chaos on Monday after far-right protesters encouraged by ultranationalist politicians from the governing coalition broke into a military base where Hamas militants are detained and another base hosting the Israel Defense Forces military court.

  • Oil prices stabilise after Golan Heights attack

    Oil prices were stable on Monday as fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East after a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights put a floor under last week's price losses. Brent crude futures gained 7 cents, or 0.09%, to $81.20 a barrel at 1007 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose by 1 cent, or 0.01%, to $77.17. The Brent and WTI benchmarks lost 1.8% and 3.7% respectively last week on sagging Chinese demand and hopes of a Gaza ceasefire agreement.

  • How AI is unlocking the creative potential of Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning fashion industry

    Saudi Arabia has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its fashion industry in recent years, emerging as a vibrant and dynamic regional hub of creativity. Now, thanks to the power of artificial intelligence, more opportunities are fast emerging. With a blend of traditional influences and modern innovation, Saudi designers have been captivating global audiences, redefining cultural norms, and showcasing the Kingdom’s rich heritage through contemporary fashion.

  • Unearthing the transformative potential of Saudi Arabia’s mining sector

    Saudi Arabia’s mining sector is on the cusp of a transformative era, with the Kingdom determined to become a global leader in the industry. But have you wondered what treasures lie beneath its lands? Saudi Arabia is rich in minerals essential for various global industries. The Kingdom is transforming into a leading exporter of diverse energy types, shifting away from its traditional role as an oil producer.

  • Saudi hails kingdom’s first female Olympic swimmer Mashael Alayed

    Saudi dignitaries on Sunday hailed the performance of Mashael Alayed, the first female swimmer from the kingdom to compete in an Olympics. The 17-year-old is the only female swimmer in the delegation and smashed her personal best to come sixth of seven in her 200 metres freestyle heat. Female athletes were for many years an untapped reservoir of talent in the conservative Islamic state, with girls banned from participating in sport at public schools until 2017 and women not allowed into sports stadiums until the following year.

  • Saudi Arabia plans 92,000-capacity stadium in Riyadh

    Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it plans to build a 92,000-capacity stadium in Riyadh that can host major international events, with the kingdom looking set to win the right to host the 2034 World Cup. The Saudi sports ministry unveiled the approved design for the stadium, which is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2029, according to the state news agency SPA. The stadium is set to serve as the main base of the Saudi national team and will be part of a sports complex featuring an indoor sports hall, an Olympic-sized pool and other facilities. It will be named after Saudi King Salman.

  • External Scholarships In Saudi Arabia – Study in Saudi Platform

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia offers a range of External Scholarships for international students through the Study in Saudi Arabia platform. These scholarships are hosted by various Saudi universities. The duration of these scholarships typically aligns with the length of the chosen academic program.