Recent stories from sustg

  • FIFA World Cup 2034 to feature 11 new stadiums (out of 15)
     

    The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has unveiled details of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the largest-ever edition of the FIFA World Cup held in a single country. The official bid, under the slogan “Growing. Together”, outlines Saudi Arabia’s extensive plans and infrastructure projects.

     
  • Saudi AI startup Intelmatix closes $20m funding round
     

    Founded in 2021 by a group of MIT graduates led by Anas Alfaris, Almaha Almalki and Ahmad Alabdulkareem, Intelmatix provides both public and private sectors with accessible AI and advanced analytics that delivers technologies to improve operations, productivity, growth, and sustainability.

     
  • Saudi Arabia combats desertification while also reforesting coasts
     

    The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) of Saudi Arabia was established in 2014 by the Council of Ministers to manage and invest in the country’s vegetation cover and combat desertification.

     
  • With transfer season underway Saudi Professional League evolves strategy
     

    The SPL has shifted from last year’s extensive talent acquisition—where 97 players were signed—to a more strategic approach this season. The Saudi transfer window opened on July 18 and will close on September 2, aligning with European leagues. This change indicates a focus on filling specific gaps and enhancing overall team quality rather than a […]

     
  • Aquaculture in KSA
     

    Saudi Arabia’s aquaculture sector has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with production increasing by 400% between 2015 and 2022. This rapid expansion can be attributed, in part, to a concerted effort from public and private stakeholders to bolster food security in the region, improve economic diversification, and reduce overreliance on food imports.

     
  • Saudi trails only Singapore in Emerging Market VC in H1 2024
     

    Magnitt’s H1 2024 Saudi Arabia Venture Investment Report, sponsored by SVC, underscores Saudi Arabia’s leading role in the MENA VC landscape and its continued appeal to both local and international investors.

     
  • The Impact of Healthcare Investments on Saudi Arabia’s economy
     

    The Observer Research Foundation, a leading think tank based in India, examined Saudi Arabia’s spending and strategy with regard to improving health care for its citizens. 

     
  • Dollar-priced oil ending? What’s the story?
     

    A claim emerged in Chinese-language social media posts in June that Saudi Arabia terminated a 50-year formal agreement with the United States to conduct oil transactions in U.S. dollars, under a deal called the “petrodollar agreement.”

     
  • Saudi’s PIF Profit and Spending up in 2023
     

    Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) made $25 billion from investment activities in 2023 after an $11 billion loss in 2022. It was also the top spender in 2023, deploying $31.6 billion.

     
  • Aramco’s strategic gas expansion progresses with $25bn contract awards
     

    Aramco has awarded contracts worth more than $25 billion to progress its strategic gas expansion, which targets sales gas production growth of more than 60% by 2030, compared to 2021 levels.  The contracts relate to phase two development of the vast Jafurah unconventional gas field, phase three expansion of Aramco’s Master Gas System, new gas rigs […]

     

MUST-READS

  • How investment in solar capacity is powering Saudi Arabia’s sustainable energy future

    By the end of the decade, Saudi Arabia aims to generate 58.7 gigawatts of renewable energy. This includes 40 GW from solar photovoltaics, alongside 16 GW from wind energy and 2.7 GW from concentrated solar power. In 2024, Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudi minister for energy, announced plans to tender new renewable energy projects with an annual capacity of 20 GW. This could potentially lead to a total capacity of 100-130 GW by 2030.

  • Global financiers head to Riyadh investment bash in shadow of war

    Global financiers are poised to flock to Saudi Arabia's annual flagship investment conference next week as a tightening of the kingdom's purse strings and a deepening of regional conflict cloud the outlook. Among those expected to descend on the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh are top CEOs, including Goldman Sachs' David Solomon, BlackRock's Larry Fink, Citigroup's Jane Fraser and the London Stock Exchange's Julia Hoggett.

  • Saudi Arabia, China forge tourism partnerships to boost investment, travel

    In a post on his X account, Al-Khateeb said: “During my visit to China, I met with Chinese investors and discussed the great potential and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector and ways for collaboration to elevate the experience of tourists.” In June, the Kingdom announced its official Approved Destination Status, effective July 1, following participation in the second China Roadshow and ITB China in Shanghai.

  • Inter Milan becomes first club to get Saudi investment license

    Italy’s Inter Milan has become the first international football club to receive a licence in Saudi Arabia. The ministry of investment licence will support the club in extending its brand presence in the Middle East and growing its fanbase. Inter Milan, or Nerazzurri, will bring its expertise and experience as a top-level football club to the country. “Through promoting talent and sports culture, the Nerazzurri club aims to contribute positively to the country’s future ambitions,” the club said in a statement.

  • Saudi Arabia, Egypt agree deeper investment ties, urge Gaza truce

    Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi agreed to deepen trade and investment cooperation and called for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon in talks in Cairo on Tuesday. Egypt's presidency said the leaders signed an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments between the countries, and witnessed the signing of an accord to form a supreme coordination council between Riyadh and Cairo to deepen cooperation.

  • Saudi Arabia, Egypt agree deeper investment ties, urge Gaza truce

    Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi agreed to deepen trade and investment cooperation and called for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon in talks in Cairo on Tuesday. Egypt's presidency said the leaders signed an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments between the countries, and witnessed the signing of an accord to form a supreme coordination council between Riyadh and Cairo to deepen cooperation.

  • Saudi Arabia eyes BPCL refinery investment in India

    Saudi Arabia is considering investment opportunities in Indian Government-backed Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (BPCL) new refinery project, reported Moneycontrol, citing sources. Following the unsuccessful attempt to establish a 60 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) refinery in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India's Oil Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, suggested in May 2023 that the country should consider constructing smaller refineries to circumvent land acquisition challenges.

  • Saudi business delegation lands in Pakistan for $2b investment talks

    A high-level Saudi delegation, headed by Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, the Kingdom’s Investment Minister, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a three-day visit aimed at finalising $2 billion in business-to-business (B2B) investment proposals.

  • High-level Saudi delegation to visit Pakistan from Oct. 9-11 amid Islamabad’s investment push

    Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih will visit Pakistan with a high-level delegation from Oct. 9-11, Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson said on Monday, stressing that the visit would aim to enhance bilateral cooperation and economic partnership between the two allies.  Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been closely working in recent months to increase bilateral trade and investment deals, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to expedite an investment package of $5 billion to the South Asian country earlier this year.

  • New $100 Million Saudi Film Fund Chief Talks Need for Investments in Production and Infrastructure

    Saudi Arabia in September launched a $100 million film fund aimed at attracting investments from global film studios to help fuel the kingdom’s rapidly growing local film industry. The Saudi Film Fund – as the fund is known – sees Saudi’s Cultural Development Fund making a 40% investment in collaboration with investment bank MEFIC Capital and specialized holding company Roaa Media Ventures, which is its technical partner.