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  • Empowered but afraid: do Saudi women have the capability to freely decide their university majors?

    Results revealed that new legislation and regulations in Saudi Arabia have positively influenced sociocultural transformation. However, in small cities and nonurban settings, women may struggle to reject traditional social norms despite their empowerment. The findings indicate that encouraging students’ voluntary work and their membership in groups and organisations, as well as ensuring diverse hiring practices are in place in rural areas and small cities, could support a more general acceptance of women’s empowerment.

  • Saudi’s Bahri and Marinakis’ Capital Maritime sign mega VLCC deal

    The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) announced today it has finalised a purchase agreement with Evangelos Marinakis-backed Capital Maritime and Trading, to acquire nine very large crude carriers (VLCCs) for a total of US$1Bn. Most of the VLCCs were built in South Korea and have an average age of 5.9 years. These vessels are fitted with scrubbers and equipped with advanced energy efficiency and low-emissions technologies to minimise environmental impact. Each VLCC has an average deadweight tonnage of approximately 311,500.

  • Saudi Arabia’s literary renaissance captivates local and international audiences

    “Saudi literature has witnessed significant acceleration over the past decade, particularly during the period when culture and its literary derivatives became one of the key objectives of Vision 2030,” said Ibraheem Al-Sinan, head of editorial at Raff Publishing. He added: “This newfound openness to knowledge and literature, spurred by various initiatives, competitions and activities, has enabled young people to make significant leaps in literary production. What once took decades to learn, the youth now accomplish in just a few years.”

  • Google Cloud expands services in Saudi Arabia, delivering enhanced data sovereignty and AI capabilities

    Building on the launch of the Google Cloud region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in November 2023, we are excited to announce new data sovereignty, security, and AI capabilities for the Dammam region. These new offerings can help support the digital transformation journeys of organizations operating in Saudi Arabia that need to meet certain regulatory requirements, including multinational enterprises operating in the Kingdom.

  • Saudi firm plans hydrogen-powered skyscraper in Egypt’s new capital

    A Saudi-controlled real estate firm says it plans to break ground early next year in Egypt's new capital on a $1 billion, 50-storey office tower that aims to be the first of its kind to be powered by clean hydrogen. The sophisticated design and high price tag represent a bet by Magnom Properties, a subsidiary of Saudi industrial group Rawabi Holding, that international clients will be drawn to the new capital, a city for over 6 million people being built from scratch in the desert east of Cairo.

  • Only a quarter of Saudi Arabia’s $1 trillion capex plan will go into oil

    In what Goldman Sachs Research calls a “capex super-cycle,” Saudi Arabia is expected to invest $1 trillion across six strategic sectors by 2030. But the oil industry is likely to receive a smaller portion of this than previously forecast. Roughly 73% of the investment funds will go to non-oil sectors, Faisal AlAzmeh, who heads CEEMEA equity research and covers natural resources, chemicals, and infrastructure in the Middle East, writes in his team’s report. An earlier forecast pegged non-oil investment at 66%.

  • Ushaiqer Heritage Village In Saudi Arabia: An Insightful Escape Into Tradition

    For those who are fascinated by old-world charm, Ushaiqer Heritage Village is a must-visit spot in Saudi Arabia. The group of yellow mud houses and a maze of different alleys in Ushaiqer welcome visitors to traditional architecture and lifestyle.The village is located 200 kilometers northwest of Riyadh, near the town of Shagra. It comprises seven districts with 400 mud houses and 25 mosques. The name ‘Ushaiqer’ meant ‘little blonde’, and it traced its origins to the nearby red mountain that gives shades to the mud houses.

  • Saudi Arabia boosts FDI landscape with new investment law updates

    Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has recently approved the updated investment law, building on previous reforms under Vision 2030 and the National Investment Strategy. The Kingdom’s latest investment law updates bring together several existing freedoms and rights and apply them to investors under one unified framework, ensuring greater transparency, flexibility, and confidence for investors.

  • Saudi Artist Turns Calligraphy Into Captivating Art With His Stunning Projects

    Based in Riyadh, Al-Sulaimani’s love for calligraffiti started back in school during an Arabic calligraphy class. Captivated by the power of the written word, he started blending this timeless art form with vibrant, graffiti-inspired styles, creating eye-catching and unique masterpieces.

  • Saudi Film Commission Revolutionizes Cinema Landscape with Significant License Fee Reductions

    The revised fee structure unveiled by the Film Commission reflects a strategic commitment to bolstering the film industry’s growth and vitality. By slashing licensing costs across different city categories, from “A” to “C,” the Commission aims to empower cinema enterprises, stimulate economic contributions, and foster cultural and creative diversity on the big screen.