MUST-READS

• Saudi Monshaat: 67% increase in commercial registrations during Q4 2024

  There has been a 67 percent increase in commercial registrations, bringing the total number to 1.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2024. According to the quarterly SME Monitor Report released by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monshaat), the majority of these registrations were concentrated in Riyadh, accounting for 39 percent, followed by Makkah with 17 percent, the Eastern Province 16 percent, Qassim 6 percent, and Asir 5 percent. The remaining 17 percent were distributed across other regions. More than 51,000 individuals have benefited from the Monshaat Academy, 41,076 SMEs accessed the authority’s support centers, and nearly 6,100 beneficiaries used the Mazaya platform

• Iraq bans Saudi’s MBC over Ramadan series Muawiya due to sectarian concerns

  Iraq's media regulator has banned the broadcast of the historical drama "Muawiya" during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on the Saudi Arabian television channel MBC Iraq, citing concerns that it could incite sectarian tensions. The Iraqi Media and Communications Commission (CMC) announced the decision on Saturday, stating that it was exercising its legal authority to regulate the country's media sector. "The broadcast of historically controversial content may provoke sectarian debates, which could threaten social harmony and disrupt the fabric of society, particularly during Ramadan," the commission said in a statement.  "Muawiya" explores the life of Umayyad Caliph Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, who played a central role in the "First Fitna"—the civil war that followed the assassination of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan in the 7th century. Despite the Iraqi ban, "Muawiya" is set to air during Ramadan on MBC's main channels, ensuring its availability to audiences across the region.

• Saudi Arabia’s commitment to spending efficiency is driving growth and building resilience

  Saudi Arabia’s 2025 budget will see the Kingdom continue to invest in the transformation of strategic sectors – including healthcare, tourism and logistics – under Vision 2030. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as key enablers in the transformation journey of these industries, with digitisation helping to streamline processes and increase operational and financial transparency. Of course, there are obstacles to unlocking spending efficiencies. Implementation of advanced tech like AI and data analytics often require substantial short-term investment. Spending on emerging technologies should be done as part of a long-term strategy, which needs the buy-in of all stakeholders – including employees, who may be resistant to change or supply chain partners whose systems and processes may not yet be compatible.

• Why businesses must bridge the ‘generational gap’ to align with Saudi’s AI ambitions

  A significant challenge lies in bridging the generational gap in AI adoption. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, have grown up immersed in technology and tend to feel at ease leveraging AI in the workplace. Millennials, who have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of digital innovation, are close behind. In contrast, more experienced professionals, including Gen X and Baby Boomers, often express greater caution, reflecting a natural hesitancy to embrace new ways of working. This divergence is especially relevant as in the kingdom, nearly two-thirds of the population are under 30. Yet older generations still hold many decision-making roles within organisations. As companies aim to unlock AI’s transformative potential, they must address this gap, ensuring that employees across all demographics are equally equipped to harness AI’s benefits.

• KAUST scientists lead Saudi Arabia’s first scientific mission to Antarctica
  KAUST has sent the first researchers from Saudi Arabia on a scientific mission to Antarctica since signing on to the Antarctic Treaty in May 2024. Carlos Preckler and Diego Rivera, who work with Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor Carlos Duarte, collected samples from the continent to understand how the recovery of whale populations acts as a natural mitigator of climate change by examining their effects on carbon sequestration. The mission ran from January 11 to February 27. The Saudi-based research team has collected ocean samples that they will use to provide the first quantitative measurements of the impact whales have on carbon capture and thus climate change. The information gained will assist in assessing the economic benefits of whale hunting and conservation policies and other activities that affect marine life. Antarctica is deemed the best choice for the study of whale populations because of the well-chronicled and intense whale hunting in the 20th century that depleted the populations of great whales.

• Can Gulf States Help End the War in Sudan?

  Sudan’s deadly war has dragged on nearly two years, killing around 150,000 people, displacing more than 11 million, according to some reports, and causing widespread famine. Both sides have been accused of widespread war crimes, but in early January, the United States formally accused one of the warring parties, the Rapid Support Forces, of genocide, and sanctioned its leader, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti). U.S. officials also sanctioned Sudan’s army chief, Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, alleging that the Sudanese Armed Forces intentionally targeted civilians and denied humanitarian aid access during the war. U.S. officials also argue that the Sudanese Armed Forces have used chemical weapons. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have all attempted to support conflict mitigation and humanitarian aid in Sudan’s deadly conflict, but these efforts have been overshadowed by increasing Gulf competition and power projection in Sudan’s war as Gulf states seek to deepen their influence in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa.

• South Asia’s Pivot to the Gulf

  South Asia – India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives – remains one of the most strategically critical yet least integrated regions in the world, both politically and economically. With one-quarter of the world’s population, abundant natural resources, and large consumer markets, South Asian countries have significant economic potential. However, intraregional trade amounted to just $23 billion in 2025, far below the projected $67 billion threshold and a miniscule fraction of India’s over $130 billion annual bilateral trade with China. South Asia occupies the strategic land bridge between the booming economies of East Asia and the energy-rich Gulf Cooperation Council countries. These regions are connected by the Indian Ocean and separated only by the Arabian Sea, making the subregion a vital transit hub for trade and energy flows. Nevertheless, despite this strategic location, regional trade blocs do not reflect strong trade figures for the subregion.

• Saudi Arabia offers safe return for dissidents without consequences
  “Saudi Arabia welcomes those who were misled and manipulated for ulterior motives, as long as their opposition remained ideological and they were not implicated in criminal cases,” Al Howairini stated. Dissidents wishing to return can contact the designated number (990) to provide their identity and location for assistance. Alternatively, they may authorise a family member to coordinate with the relevant authorities on their behalf. Saudi embassies worldwide are also prepared to facilitate and support their safe return. Al Howairini further underscored the critical role of Saudi society in combating extremism and terrorism, revealing that nearly 20% of detainees in the country were taken into custody following requests or coordinated efforts by their own families. He noted that families increasingly recognise the state’s proactive approach in safeguarding its citizens from extremist influences.

• Lebanese president hopes to mend ties with Saudi Arabia in first visit in years

  Lebanon’s president said Monday that he hopes to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia during a visit to the kingdom following years of strained relations between the countries. Joseph Aoun became Lebanon’s first head of state to visit Riyadh in six years. Saudi Arabia has been vocal about its concerns over the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group and Lebanon’s positions on some regional issues. In recent years, it imposed a travel and import ban on Lebanon. Aoun’s appointment as president as well as that of a diplomat and former head of the International Criminal Court, Nawaf Salam, as prime minister are both seen as major blows to Hezbollah. As relations slowly thaw, Lebanon hopes that Saudi Arabia will lift the travel ban on the cash-strapped country, restore trade and help its reconstruction efforts after the war between Hezbollah and Israel left southern and eastern Lebanon in ruins.

• US firm wins world’s tallest tower deal

  US-based Turner has been appointed as the project manager for the 1,000-metre-plus Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia. Turner was the project manager for the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which at 828 metres tall has been the world’s tallest building since 2010. The appointment comes amid other signs of clear progress on the Jeddah Tower. The concrete pouring works for Jeddah Tower began on 20 January, marking the official recommencement of construction works. The project’s contractor, the local Saudi Binladin Group (SBG), has received a payment of SR712m ($190m) for work on the tower. Last year, the project development company, Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), signed an estimated SR8bn 42-month contract with the local SBG to resume construction work on the tower. SBG then began engaging with the supply chain to work on the project. SBG awarded Beijing-headquartered Jangho Group a facade works contract that involves engineering design and technical services for the project’s structural glass and adhesive curtain walls.

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