SUSTG.com / Research

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

Recent stories from sustg

MUST-READS

  • Climate-tech startups could help the Middle East adapt to climate change—if they can get funding

    Though states such as Qatar and Kuwait have invested billions to bring in tourists, investment in climate-focused startups has begun lagging in the region. Climate tech investment in the Middle East declined by more than 80% in 2023 to $152 million, compared to about $1 billion in 2022. Sulaiman Amin, managing director of Abu Dhabi-based clean startup accelerator Catalyst, says this is due in part to risk-averse investors who want a more rapid return than many climate ventures can deliver.

  • Ahmed Mater: The Saudi artist documenting a kingdom in flux

    Born in Tabuk in 1979, Mater grew up in Abha in southwestern Saudi Arabia, close to the militarized Yemeni border, at a time of immense social change in the region. The first presentation of his art outside the Kingdom came in 2005 at an exhibition hosted by the British Museum in London. Just over a decade later, he became the first artist to host a solo exhibition in the US, with “Symbolic Cities: The Work of Ahmed Mater” in 2016.

  • Saudi Aramco backs AI startup

    A venture unit of Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco is making its first U.S. AI-related investment, backing a pre-Series A round for San Francisco-based AiXplain, AiXplain is one of a growing number of startups that aim to transform generative AI from chatbots into agents who can take action. The startup also wants to ensure that Arabic languages are better represented.

  • Saudi Arabia Announces Carbon Capture And Utilization Challenge For Startups

    Saudi Arabia appears to be doubling down on carbon capture as part of its plans to create a circular economy. Last week the country’s Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP) and Ministry of Energy (MoEnergy) unveiled the Carbon Capture and Utilization Challenge. The challenge invites startups from across the globe to present innovative approaches to reduce carbon emissions through sustainable system transformations. This includes advancements in carbon capture technologies, novel applications for carbon utilization, and industrial integration.

  • Is Saudi Arabia replacing the US with China in its security partner mix?

    The visit fuelled speculation that Riyadh could be looking to Beijing to ease pressure from Washington on issues such as human rights and its stand on the Israel-Gaza war. Defence specialists said the conflict and tensions in the broader Middle East would undoubtedly have been on the agenda – along with Saudi Arabia’s rising arms purchases from China. But Saudi Arabia still saw the United States as its key security partner – even as it increases rapport with and arms purchases from China.

  • Pakistan to ban Imran Khan’s party, file treason case against ex-PM

    Pakistan is planning to ban former Prime Minister Imran Khan's political party and move the country's top court to press treason charges against him, the information minister said on Monday. The move to ban Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was based on the proven charge of the party receiving foreign funds from sources that are illegal in Pakistan, as well as rioting by the supporters last year that targeted military installations, Minister Attaullah Tarar said.

  • Why Saudi Tourism’s Future Depends on Strong Private Sector Partnerships

    While Saudi’s tourism industry is currently keeping pace, it requires significant efforts to reach these future goals. Many of its new destinations are still developing their travel infrastructure or catering to niche markets. The country also faces the challenge of integrating these emerging markets into its existing tourism framework and effectively marketing them to attract the right visitors.

  • Saudi-Chinese partnership wins $2bn Diriyah deal

    Work will begin on a new mixed district at the Saudi giga-project Diriyah in the third quarter of 2024 after a SAR7.8 billion ($2 billion) construction contract, the largest yet, was awarded to a Chinese-Saudi partnership. Saudi contractor El Seif Engineering and China State Construction Engineering will build the district, which will contain educational institutions, cultural venues, offices and a luxury hotel in the northern part of Diriyah, the official Saudi Press Agency said. “This represents a major step in our accelerating development strategy and commitment to making Diriyah one of the most important and prominent tourist, humanitarian, and cultural destinations in the world,” Diriyah’s CEO, Jerry Inzerillo, said.

  • Lucid Group gains after its CEO says the Saudi Arabia PIF is the perfect partner

  • Critical Metals, Obeikan partner to build lithium hydroxide processing plant in Saudi Arabia

    The 50/50 JV will be geared towards developing, constructing and operating the plant for the conversion of lithium spodumene concentrate from Critical Metals’ Wolfsberg project in Austria, which, according to Critical Metals CEO Tony Sage, is set to become the EU’s only battery-grade lithium mine by 2027.