SUSTG.com / Research

Discover stories, topics, and more about Saudi Arebia faster.

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 Officially Submits Bid to Host the FIFA World Cup 2034
     

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has submitted its official bid to FIFA to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 at a ceremony hosted by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in Paris, France. The bid book was submitted by an official delegation led by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Minister […]

     
  • Saudi’s Health Sector Transformation Program
     

    In 2023, the Saudi government spent $50.4 billion on healthcare and social development, accounting for 16.96% of the annual government budget. This expenditure was second only to the education sector.

     
  • U.S. Exports to the Arab World Jump By 12% to $65.3 Billion
     

    The National U.S.–Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) reported that, according to data released last month by the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. goods exports to the Arab world jumped 12 percent to $65.3 billion in 2023.

     
  • IMG expands partnership with Saudi Pro League and Saudi Arabian Football Federation
     

    The Saudi Pro League (SPL) and Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) have announced a new five-year production partnership with IMG, a global sports, events, and representation company, for the Roshn Saudi League (RSL), King’s Cup, and Saudi Super Cup, starting from the 2024-25 season.

     
  • 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.

     
  • GCC Population grows 7.3% to 57.6 million
     

    According to recent statistics released by the GCC Statistical Centre, the total population of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries witnessed a significant increase of 7.3% in 2023 compared to 2021, reaching 57.6 million.

     
  • 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 […]

     
  • KSA sets air traffic records
     

    Saudi Arabia has witnessed remarkable growth in its air traffic during the first half of 2024, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The Kingdom has reported a significant growth in passenger traffic, flights, air cargo, and connectivity.

     

MUST-READS

  • Archaeologists discover 4,000-year-old Bronze Age settlement hidden in Saudi Arabian oasis

    Archaeologists discovered the site near the city of Al-'Ula in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia and called it "al-Natah." The settlement covered about 3.7 acres (1.5 hectares), "including a central district and nearby residential district surrounded by protective ramparts," the researchers said in a statement. But the town, which was occupied starting around 2400 B.C., was small, with a population of only around 500 people, the team noted in a study, published Wednesday (Oct. 30) in the journal PLOS One. The town was abandoned sometime between 1500 and 1300 B.C., but researchers aren't sure why this happened. "It's a pertinent question that I can't really answer at the moment," Charloux said, noting that "we have very few clues about the last phase of occupation."

  • Kering Launches its Kering Generation Award in Saudi Arabia in Partnership with the Saudi Fashion Commission

    The first Saudi edition of this Award program will specifically seek to identify start-ups that have an impact on customer engagement, circular economy and water protection. Together, Kering and the Saudi Fashion Commission commit to driving impactful change by promoting sustainable practices and supporting visionary fashion initiatives that shape a responsible future.

  • Saudi Arabia’s FDIs top set agenda, says Al-Falih

    The growth of the Saudi gross domestic product since the launch of Vision 2030 reached 70%. During the same period, the local economy ranked the second fastest growing among the G20 nations, despite the oil market shocks and geopolitical turmoil, said the minister in a speech on the first day of the Future Investment Initiative Summit held in Riyadh.

  • Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy Initiatives and Their Geopolitical Implications

    One approach Saudi Arabia has adopted is investing heavily in renewable energy, particularly through partnerships with China. This has had the effect of accelerating the country’s progress in renewable energy, with far-reaching implications for global geopolitics and energy markets. Specifically, Saudi Arabia is increasingly becoming aligned with China while China is gaining greater access to Middle Eastern markets and greater regional influence.

  • Saudi Arabia targets local manufacturing of wind energy towers to enhance renewable energy sector

    Following two strategic agreements signed with Al-Yamamah Steel Industries Co. and Arabian International Co. for Steel Structures, Saudi Arabia seeks to strengthen its position in the wind energy sector by fostering local manufacturing capabilities and facilitating essential knowledge transfer. These agreements were part of 107 deals and memorandums of understanding, collectively valued at $27.69 billion, formalized at the Energy Localization Forum in Riyadh under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and the LCGPA.

  • Saudi Arabia’s Largest PropTech Hackathon Set for Cityscape Global 2024

    ROSHN Group, Saudi Arabia’s premier real estate developer and a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, has unveiled plans for Hackathon 24, the Kingdom’s largest property technology competition. Aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a leader in PropTech, the event will be a highlight at this year’s Cityscape Global in Riyadh from November 11th to 14th.

  • Saudi Arabia condemns military targeting of Iran, urges restraint amid regional tensions

    In a statement, Saudi Arabia urged all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate tensions, warning of the potential consequences of continued military conflicts. The Kingdom called upon the international community, as well as influential and active stakeholders, to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in mitigating escalation and working towards the cessation of conflicts within the region. Early Saturday, Israel announced that its military has executed "precise strikes" against military targets in Iran, with explosions reportedly heard in Tehran.

  • In collaboration with Transport General Authority: first hydrogen-powered taxi pilot project launched in Saudi Arabia featuring Toyota Mirai

    The Transport General Authority (TGA), Abdullah Hashim Industrial Gases & Equipment (AHG), Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia since 1955, and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) have launched a seven-day trial of the Toyota Mirai, a cutting-edge, hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), as part of a taxi fleet in Jeddah. A first-of-its-kind in Saudi Arabia, the initiative commenced on 20 October and is aimed at assessing the viability of hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel source for Saudi Arabia’s public transportation system, furthering the Kingdom?s ambitions for sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions.

  • Saudi Arabia Taps BlackRock to Build Mortgage-Backed Securities Market

    The country hopes developing a secondary market for mortgages would allow banks to offer borrowers lower interest rates and improve the cost of home ownership, BlackRock Inc. Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink said at a conference in Johannesburg. In August, BlackRock signed an agreement with Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company — the state-owned equivalent of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the US — to develop the real estate finance market in the kingdom. “Spreads are much wider than if there was a securitization market,” Fink said. “It would be much narrower and the homeowners would benefit, so the cost of home ownership would go down.”

  • The World’s Largest Building Is Coming to Saudi Arabia

    Located in northwest Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the forthcoming Mukaab skyscraper is just one component of a 19-square-kilometer project spearheaded by New Murabba and the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), according to the developers. Though far from the tallest building at a projected 1,312 feet upon completion, the structure is expected to handily take the title of the world’s largest by volume.