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  • Newlab Expands to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Catalyze Critical-Tech Ecosystem and Accelerate Startup-Led Economic Growth

    Newlab Riyadh will attract leading critical-tech startups to KSA and accelerate commercialization outcomes that will translate into measurable economic impact in the Kingdom and broader region. Newlab Riyadh joins Newlab’s growing network of hubs around the world, including Newlab Brooklyn, Newlab Detroit, and Newlab Montevideo. Newlab will establish an initial beta space in Riyadh in 2025 to serve as an anchorpoint for the founding startup ecosystem while commencing development of a larger hub which is slated to open in 2026.

  • Saudi Arabia Said to Near at Least $1 Billion Investment in Dazn

    The sports investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is in advanced talks to invest at least $1 billion in billionaire Len Blavatnik’s streaming service Dazn Group, which holds the broadcasting rights of some of Europe’s top-tier football leagues, according to people familiar with the matter. The deal between SURJ Sports Investment, a unit of the $925 billion Public Investment Fund, and Dazn could be announced as soon as this month, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. Final terms are yet to be finalized and could still change, the people said. Dazn is a prominent player in the broadcast of live sports, holding multi-year rights for football and Formula One racing in several European markets. It has won the main broadcasting rights deal for Ligue 1, France’s top professional football league and also this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

  • Pakistan, Saudi Arabia finalise Hajj 2025 for 179,210 pilgrims

    The agreement also focuses on providing better facilities for Pakistani pilgrims. Special spaces will be allocated for Pakistani pilgrims at Mina, and the rates will be reduced. The spokesperson added that the Saudi Minister of Hajj has assured full cooperation in providing better facilities for Pakistani pilgrims. To make the Hajj journey more accessible, convenient, and comfortable, a shorter Hajj program of 20 to 25 days has been introduced. Pilgrims will have the option to choose accommodation in Madinah for 4 to 8 days. Each pilgrim will receive a specially designed bag containing a Pakistani flag, a QR code for identification, and relevant information. The Ministry of Religious Affairs spokesperson also mentioned that a special mobile app will provide all information to pilgrims on their mobile phones.

  • How Saudi Arabia became the world’s plastic cheerleader

    Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest crude oil exporter, was the ringleader of a group of oil-rich nations including Russia and Iran that successfully blocked efforts to limit plastic production during last month’s talks in Busan, South Korea. And there’s no reason to think they won’t try to pull the same thing this year. “Saudi Arabia is now investing heavily in its environmental diplomacy,” said one negotiator from within the self-named high-ambition coalition, who was granted anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks. “I think there aren’t many delegations that can boast such a talented team of negotiators. [It] has the firing power.” For nations like Saudi Arabia, whose wealth depends on oil, it’s existential. The $700-billion-per-year-and-growing  plastics industry is set to become a key driver of oil demand as the world slowly switches from gas to electric modes of transport.

  • UK to sign critical minerals partnership with Saudi Arabia

    Britain will sign a minerals cooperation partnership with Saudi Arabia that could help strengthen supply chains, create opportunities for British businesses and attract investment into the UK, the British government said on Tuesday. Britain needs a secure, long-term supply of critical minerals, such as copper, lithium and nickel, which are used to make smartphones and electric cars, but are also vital to build data centres that help develop artificial intelligence systems. On its part, Saudi Arabia, which estimates the value of its untapped mineral resources at $2.5 trillion, is aiming to become a major global hub for critical minerals trade.

  • New Business Laws in Saudi Arabia: What You Need to Know

    On 17 September 2024, Saudi Arabia introduced  new pivotal pieces of legislation: the Commercial Registration Law and the Trade Name Law. These laws represent a significant overhaul of the country’s business registration processes, aligning with the nation’s broader Vision 2030 initiative to improve business efficiency and foster investment. Below is an overview of the key changes and their impact on businesses operating in Saudi Arabia.

  • Saudi Arabia set to extend Spanish Super Cup agreement

    Back in 2020, the Spanish Super Cup was moved to Saudi Arabia after the Spanish Football Federation agreed a contract with the Middle Eastern nation. It has been a very controversial move, although there are no signs of the competition returning to Spanish soil anytime soon. The current agreement between the Federation and Saudi Arabia runs until 2029, but there are already plans for it to be extended. As per Diario AS, talks are underway for the Spanish Super Cup to stay where it is for an extra five years, until 2034. It’s noted that both parties are very satisfied with the current arrangement, despite controversies that took place this week during the semi-finals, which saw the wives of some players being harassed, and the same happening to supporters.

  • Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia: A Tale of Triumph and Adversity

    Since the launch of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in 2020, each edition has offered renewed excitement and inspiring stories, elevating the competition to new levels. The diverse terrains and varying geographic landscapes have added more intensity and persistent challenges to the event. The sixth edition of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia holds a significant milestone—the absence of Stéphane Peterhansel. Known as a racing legend, he not only clinched the championship in 2021 but also boasts an incredible 14 Dakar victories. This marks Peterhansel's first absence from the Dakar Rally since 1994. Furthermore, several prominent drivers have withdrawn from the race. Spanish driver Carlos Sainz of the Ford Motorsport team, a four-time Dakar champion (two of those titles earned in Saudi Arabia), exited in the third stage. French driver Sébastien Loeb of the Dacia Sandero team also withdrew in the fourth stage after both drivers' vehicles sustained significant damage. These withdrawals, made with a focus on their safety, have heightened the competition among other competitors as they vie for the title of Dakar champion.

  • Saudi Arabia produces over 80% of its vegetable supply; 64% of fruit and 67% of cattle farmed domestically

    Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued its Agriculture and Fisheries Accounts publication for 2023, showing that reliance on local vegetable production accounted for 80.6 per cent of the total vegetable supply in the Kingdom. Additionally, the reliance on local fruit production reached 63.7 per cent of the total fruit supply, while 14.8 per cent of the cereals supply was covered by locally available production for consumption. The results also showed that the total value of local crop production in the Kingdom reached SR38.332bn ($10.2bn) in 2023.

  • USCENTCOM Commander Visits the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    On 11-12 January, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited U.S. servicemembers and conducted key leader engagements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Gen. Kurilla met with Gen. Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Chief of General Staff of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and his key staff. The two generals discussed shared security concerns, their mutual commitment to addressing evolving threats in the region, and the importance of joint readiness through interoperability.