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  • Saudi Arabia Records SAR 20.769 Billion Trade Surplus in October 2024 with 30% Growth

    Saudi Arabia’s trade balance recorded a 30% monthly growth, achieving a surplus of SAR 20.769 billion in October 2024, according to the Kingdom’s recently released global trade bulletin. This marks an increase of over SAR 4 billion from SAR 15.999 billion in September. The Kingdom's total international trade volume reached SAR 164.794 billion in October, reflecting a 2% growth (SAR 2.594 billion) compared to SAR 162.200 billion in September. Merchandise exports contributed SAR 92.782 billion to the total trade volume, while imports accounted for SAR 72.012 billion. Non-oil exports in October totaled approximately SAR 19.413 billion, representing 21% of total exports. Meanwhile, oil exports amounted to SAR 67.399 billion, constituting 72.6% of total exports, and re-exports totaled SAR 5.968 billion, making up 6.4%.

  • Unstoppable Oman beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 to enter Gulf Cup final

    With temperatures at a chilly 18°C, the electrifying atmosphere was fueled by passionate supporters waving flags and chanting for their teams. Coach Rashid Jaber faced a daunting task, making last-minute changes due to injuries and yellow card suspensions. Still, his confidence in his squad proved well-placed as Oman battled fiercely from start to finish. The game started with Saudi Arabia in control, threading passes and creating early chances. Oman’s goalkeeper, Al Rushaidi, made a brilliant save from a stinging free-kick, keeping the scores level. Saudi’s dominance persisted through the opening minutes, with Oman struggling to find their rhythm.

  • Saudi Arabia says it executed six Iranians for drug trafficking

    Six Iranian citizens have been executed in Saudi Arabia on charges of drug trafficking, Riyadh’s Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday. The ministry did not provide further details regarding the time of arrest, trial, and execution. The executions took place in Dammam, located along the coast of the Persian Gulf, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.  The Iranians were put to death for their involvement in smuggling hashish into Saudi Arabia, the interior ministry said. Saudi Arabia has executed 330 people this year, marking the highest number in decades, despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2022 claim that the death penalty would be limited to murder cases under his vision of a modernized kingdom.

  • Saudi Arabia’s unemployment rate hits 3.7%: GASTAT

    Saudi Arabia’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent in the third quarter of 2024, down 0.5 percentage points from last year, official data showed. According to data released by the General Authority for Statistics, labor force participation across Saudis and non-Saudis reached 66.6 percent during the third quarter, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 0.2 percentage points and a quarterly rise of 0.4 percentage points. The unemployment rate increased by 0.4 percentage points compared to the second quarter of this year.

  • Saudi Arabia orders removal of unlicensed hospitality venues from booking sites, warns of $266,000 fines

    This directive is part of a broader campaign aimed at improving adherence to licensing and classification standards within the hospitality sector. The ministry seeks to ensure that all facilities meet the conditions and requirements stipulated in the Tourism Law and its associated regulations. The ministry stressed that all tourist and private hospitality facilities must obtain or renew their licences before commencing operations. Operating without a valid licence will result in penalties, including fines of up to SR1m ($266,000), facility closure, or both. Violations may also be disclosed publicly.

  • 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.

  • New Syrian FM on first official visit to Saudi Arabia aims for regional reset

    On his first official visit to Saudi Arabia since Bashar al-Assad's ouster, Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani said he hoped to open a "new, bright page" in bilateral relations. Syria's new leaders are focused on rebuilding their war-shattered country amid Saudi concerns over the trafficking of captagon, a narcotic produced under the Assad regime in large quantities.

  • Syria delegation in Saudi Arabia for first official visit

    A high-ranking Syrian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday on the first foreign visit by the country's new Islamist rulers since they ousted President Bashar al-Assad last month, state media said. "An official Syrian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani, Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and General Intelligence Service chief Anas Khattab arrives in the Saudi capital Riyadh," the official SANA news agency reported, quoting a foreign ministry source. The statement described it as "the first official foreign visit, at the invitation of the Saudi foreign minister". Last month, a Saudi delegation met Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, a source close to the government told AFP at the time.