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  • Saudi Arabia bans use of ‘sponsor,’ mandates ’employer’ for government and private entities

    The Ministry of Commerce in Saudi Arabia has instructed both government and private entities to refrain from using the term 'sponsor' and instead use 'employer' in all official documents. The ministry emphasised that, according to Article 2 of the Labour Law, the term 'employer' refers to "any natural or legal person who employs one or more workers in return for a wage." This directive was conveyed through a letter sent by the Ministry to the Federation of Saudi Chambers, which subsequently issued a circular to chambers of commerce and industry across the Kingdom.

  • Saudi Arabia launches humanitarian air bridge to Syria to deliver food, shelter and medical supplies

    Saudi Arabia on Wednesday launched a humanitarian air bridge to Syria, delivering food, shelter and medical supplies' The air bridge, established by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), aims to 'alleviate the effects of the difficult conditions currently facing the Syrian people', the official Saudi Press Agency reported. Others, including the European Union and Ukraine, have also announced aid for Syria, where the United Nations said seven out of 10 people need support. Riyadh's air bridge will 'be followed by another land bridge in the coming days,' said Abdullah al-Rabeeah, the head of KSrelief.

  • Saudi Arabia’s mandatory USB Type-C charging port regulation comes into effect

    Saudi authorities have announced the implementation of the first mandatory phase of unified charging ports for electronic devices in Saudi Arabia, effective January 1, 2025. This initiative from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) mandates the use of USB Type-C as the standard charging port across various devices. The unified charging ports decision aims to enhance user experience, reduce consumer costs, and promote the adoption of high-quality charging and data transfer technologies. Additionally, it aligns with environmental sustainability goals by reducing electronic waste and supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first phase covers mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, e-readers, portable video game consoles, headphones, earphones, portable speakers, amplified speakers, keyboards, computer mice, portable navigation systems, and wireless routers.

  • Commerce ministry recalls 28,806 Ford Explorer vehicles

    The Ministry of Commerce announced the recall of 28,806 Ford Explorer vehicles, 2011 – 2019 models. This was attributed to a defect in the installation of the external side covers of the windshield supports, which may lead to their separation from the vehicle, posing a danger to road users and increasing the risk of an accident. The ministry called on users of the vehicles included in the recall to contact the local agents, Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Company, on the toll-free number (8007492222), and Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Company, on the toll-free number (8001240218), to carry out the necessary repairs free of charge.

  • 7 government employees among 13 arrested after dismantling of 2 drug trafficking networks

    The Saudi security authorities have busted two criminal networks involved in drug smuggling and trafficking in the Riyadh and Jazan regions. A total of 13 gang members were arrested and they included seven government employees and six foreigners, according to an official source at the Ministry of Interior. The arrested people included two employees of the Ministry of Defense, one employee of the Ministry of Interior and four employees of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, in addition to three Yemeni and Syrian residents each. They were referred to the Public Prosecution after taking the necessary legal measures, the source said.

  • Commerce ministry: Stop using the term ‘sponsor’ and use ’employer’ instead

    The Ministry of Commerce has instructed all government and private entities that they should not use the term 'sponsor' and should be satisfied with the term 'employer'. The ministry emphasized that Article 2 of the Labor Law defines employer as "any natural or legal person who employs one or more workers in return for a wage." The ministry's directive came in a letter sent by it to the Federation of Saudi Chambers. In turn, the federation has conveyed the ministry's directive through a circular sent to chambers of commerce and industry in various regions of the Kingdom. It was stated in the circular that the definition of 'worker' is any natural person, male or female, who works for the benefit of the employer and under his management or supervision in return for a wage.

  • Saudi Group Announces 1 GW of Renewables as Part of $50 Billion China Investment

    Saudi Arabia energy major ACWA Power announced it is developing more than 1 GW of renewable energy projects in China. The company in reports published Dec. 31 said the portfolio includes solar and wind power installations that would be owned jointly by ACWA Power and Chinese renewable energy developers. ACWA Power in a statement to Tadawul, the Saudi stock exchange, confirmed that the projects are sited across China and are in advanced stages of development. Yunhe Lyu, who leads ACWA’s operations in China, earlier in December said the company plans to invest as much as $50 billion to build renewable energy projects in that country by the end of this decade. Lyu said ACWA envisions as much as 20 GW of renewable energy generation capacity, along with development of green hydrogen projects.

  • Women’s football rankings – Africa’s stars step up in Europe and Saudi Arabia

    Africa's women's football stars continue to impress around the world in December, despite the crowd-pleasing NWSL season coming to an end in November. Nigeria has always had tremendous depth in the goalscoring department and this was demonstrated in December as Ifeoma Onumonu, Jennifer Echegini, Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide all scored for their respective clubs. Given that our rankings are form-based, many of the best African players miss out this month on account of having had little to no playing time, but when the 2025 NWSL season kicks off, the likes of Barbra Banda, Temwa Chawinga and Racheal Kundananji are likely to return.

  • FIFA World Cup 2034 to bring positive momentum to Saudi stock market: Report

    A recent report predicts that stock market performance will improve as Saudi Arabia gets ready to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034. According to SNB Capital’s most recent analysis, the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP would rise by 4 to 5% over the medium term, which is estimated to be four to eight years, if the major event were held. Following a comparison of the development of the stock markets in South Africa, Russia, and Qatar during their respective hosting of the mega football event in 2010, 2018, and 2022, the firm came to this conclusion.

  • Pricey homes and packed hotels: the year in GCC real estate

    Housing became a scarce commodity in Saudi Arabia in 2024. Expat workers flocked to Riyadh, attracted by the Vision 2030 push. Government policies boosted the home ownership rate for nationals. Rising land and construction costs also made housing and commercial units more expensive, says Imad Damrah, Colliers’ managing director for Saudi Arabia. “Freehold residential apartments in high-rise towers in Riyadh performed strongly, as did affordable National Housing Company residential communities,” Damrah tells AGBI. Residential sale numbers in the capital climbed 31 percent year on year in the third quarter, CBRE says. Average villa and apartment prices rose five and four percent respectively.