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  • Early mosques are focus of Saudi Arabia’s latest renovation project

    The move is part of the broader project by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Announced in 2018, work has been under way to restore 130 mosques across Saudi Arabia. During its first phase, 30 were renovated at a cost of nearly 50 million riyals ($13.3m). Phase two this year covers 30 more, including five of special significance in Makkah, Saudi Press Agency reported. First to be renovated is Al Bay'ah Mosque that was built at the request of Caliph Abu Jaafar Al Mansur in 144 AH, which was 761AD in the Gregorian calendar.

  • How might Saudi Arabia’s third sector be developed through public-private partnerships?

    In lieu of its development plan, the Saudi government aims to empower the non-profit sector, also known as the third sector, hand in hand with the cooperation of the private sector. Fully aware of the important developmental role the private sector has and its potential impact in the third sector, the Kingdom’s government has actively formed partnerships with private organizations, entrepreneurs, and business owners in different sectors, including education, health, housing, and job employment.

  • How NEOM’s The Line aims to achieve harmony between urban development and preservation of nature in Saudi Arabia

    Different from tall buildings, the concept layers public parks and pedestrian areas, schools, homes and places for work. The narrow design is intended to reduce the man-made footprint on the landscape and promote greater efficiency. The city will feature a high-speed rail link with an end-to-end transit time of just 20 minutes. The ideal climate within the structure, all year round, will ensure that residents can enjoy the surrounding nature while walking around. Residents will also have access to all facilities in The Line within a five-minute walk.

  • What President Biden’s Visit to Saudi Arabia Means for the Private Sector

    Following the visit, we expect the U.S. and Saudi governments to be more effective in unlocking opportunities for their private sectors. Initial cooperation on 5G/6G, clean energy, cybersecurity, and air defense is encouraging.

  • Saudi Arabia Elevates Two Women to Senior Roles in Government

    Saudi Arabia has appointed two women to senior positions in government, the latest sign that the kingdom is looking to diversify a predominantly male workforce. Shihana Alazzaz has been named the first female Deputy Secretary General of the Saudi Cabinet, according to a royal decree issued on Sunday. Alazzaz was one of the first women licensed to practice law in Saudi Arabia and joins from the Public Investment Fund, where she was general counsel.

  • Saudi Arabia to Privatize Customs Zones

    Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA), in cooperation with the National Center for Privatization and PPP (NCP), announced the new collaboration in line with Vision 2030. The project seeks to upgrade the Secured Zone facilities and develop a modern template for infrastructure design and operations at six land ports. It also facilitates commercial growth, enhances the competitiveness of land ports, and promotes the role of the private sector in implementing strategic projects.

  • Gamers8 and Spotify partner for Saudi Arabia’s first live international esports season – Fast Company Middle East | The future of tech, business and innovation.

    Gamers8, one of the biggest Esports and gaming events, has entered into an exclusive partnership with music streaming platform Spotify which will be the official audio streaming partner for the all-new esports and gaming season taking place live in Riyadh this summer.

  • Social innovation in Saudi Arabia: The story of Ehsan

    Ehsan is a product of the Saudi Data and AI Authority, SDAIA. It is a digital platform that utilizes data science and artificial intelligence to maximize the impact of non-profit organizations and their sustainability by providing advanced technical solutions and building an efficient ecosystem through partnerships between the government, private, and non-profit sectors.

  • Saudi Arabia will ‘ultimately’ reduce VAT

    Talking to Reuters on the sidelines of the Davos World Economic Forum, Al-Jadaan said; “We will eventually consider cutting the VAT, but at the moment, we are still refilling the reserves.”

  • Saudi Arabia to Use Windfall From Oil Prices to Boost Private Sector

    The Saudi government will focus on initiatives to grow the non-oil economy in 2023 but won’t boost fiscal spending, Faisal Alibrahim, minister of economy and planning, said in an interview at the Davos conference in Switzerland. The kingdom’s in discussions with companies from all over the world to get them to move some of their operations to the country, he said.