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  • TikTok drives artist discovery in Saudi music industry

    Since its inception, music has been at the heart of TikTok, driving music and artist discovery and rediscovery in markets across the globe. This is particularly evident in Saudi Arabia, where TikTok has become a prominent platform for both musicians and their audiences. Thanks to the rising Saudi talents, both established and emerging artists that are unleashing their potential and making their voices heard, the music scene continues to create a resounding impact globally. TikTok’s widespread appeal lies in its role as an ever-evolving creative hub. Its innovative features that allow musicians to showcase their talents and interact with fans in real time, have contributed to its impressive growth in the Kingdom. With 48.8 billion views globally and more than 1.2 billion views in the MENA region in the last six months for #NewMusic and 17.8 billion views globally and over 968 million views for #TikTokMusic across the region in the past six months, these hashtags have become indispensable tools for music lovers and creators in Saudi Arabia across a range of musical genres and tastes, from rock to acoustic.

  • ‘Disheartening and ill-founded:’ McDonald’s CEO responds to Middle East backlash

    In a letter posted on LinkedIn, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said that “several markets” across the Middle East are “experiencing a meaningful business impact due to the war and associated misinformation” affecting the American fast food chain. “This is disheartening and ill-founded,” he said.

    Kempczinski didn’t provide specifics, including how much sales are being negatively affected. However, he stated, “In every country where we operate, including in Muslim countries, McDonald’s is proudly represented by local owner operators who work tirelessly to serve and support their communities while employing thousands of their fellow citizens.”

  • Saudi Arabia’s new regional headquarters regulation takes effect: What will be its impact?

    Saudi Arabia's regulation for foreign companies to set up regional headquarters in the kingdom will support the country's non-oil economy and improve job creation in the Arab world’s largest economy, according to analysts.

    The regulation, which requires firms to set up a local base in the kingdom or risk losing out on government contracts, came into effect on Monday.

    However, companies with foreign operations not exceeding 1 million Saudi riyals ($266,000) can operate in the kingdom without local headquarters.

    “We project robust non-oil growth of 5 per cent in 2024, the highest in the GCC, on a continued broad-based expansion of the non-oil economy,” Carla Slim, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank, told The National.

  • Saudi Film Commission: 4,000 participants to take part in Filmmakers Program

    The Saudi Film Commission on Monday announced that it will be training more than 4,000 individuals as part of its Filmmakers Program aimed at elevating the skills of aspiring beginners and professionals.

    With 150 training workshops held across 13 regions in Saudi Arabia, the fourth edition of the annual event will help foster the growth of Saudi talent in the film industry, the authority said on its website.

  • Deloitte partners with Fintech Saudi to launch Makken Program

    Deloitte, the leading global professional services firm, is partnering with Fintech Saudi to foster the growth of emerging companies in Saudi Arabia’s financial technology sector through the Makken Program. Saudi Fintech is an initiative by the Saudi Central Bank in collaboration with the Capital Market Authority, aiming to transform Saudi Arabia into an innovative fintech hub with a thriving and responsible fintech ecosystem. Makken, meaning Empower, is a program designed to support entrepreneurs and startups in Saudi Arabia’s fintech industry through financial support and a comprehensive suite of services, including technology, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and more.

  • W.Media brings together DC Industry Stalwarts in Saudi Arabia

    Over 100 of the best and brightest of the Middle East's Cloud and Data Center industry came together at the Hyatt Regency, Riyadh Olaya in the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for W.Media's maiden edition of Saudi Cloud & Datacenter Convention on December 19. These included industry experts and thought leaders, including C-level executives, digital infrastructure professionals including architects, engineers and consultants (AECs), key buyers, decision makers, data center owners and operators.

  • Saudi investment funds surpass one million participants milestone in Q3

    According to official data, the number of subscribers in public and private investment funds in Saudi Arabia has surpassed one million for the first time. At the end of the third quarter of 2023, there were over 1.126 million subscribers, marking a significant increase compared to the same period last year when the number stood at 677,400. This represents a remarkable 66 percent growth. The real estate sector, encompassing both public and private funds, accounted for the largest number of subscribers, SPA reported.

  • Saudi art blooms with the kingdom’s transformation

    “Venice is very important for any artist in their career,” AlDowayan says. “But it’s about bringing our Saudi art. The cultural scene in this country is very strong, it always was, but it wasn’t seen. There is a transformation taking place.”

  • Discovery Dunes Golf Course Lots for Luxury Homes Start Selling in Dubai

    The project is Discovery Land’s first in the Middle East, though Founder and Chairman Michael S. Meldman says he’s negotiating a second property purchase in Dubai and is looking at several sites in Saudi Arabia. It’s a long way from Scottsdale, Arizona, where the company is based, but Meldman says he’s been looking for the right place to build in Dubai for more than 15 years.

  • Saudi Arabia’s NEOM: $500 bln project unveils Utamo to host global mega artists

    Saudi Arabia’s NEOM – the Kingdom’s $500 billion mega business and tourism project – has unveiled Utamo, a new destination for art and entertainment which aims to host performances from the globe’s biggest artists.

    NEOM has billed its latest project as “an innovative and multipurpose event and performance space” featuring VIP lounges, and signature restaurants that aims to make it one of the world’s most exclusive event spaces.