MUST-READS

• Saudi Arabia cleared to buy over 1,000 TOW missiles by US State Department

  Saudi Arabia has requested to buy 507 TOW 2A radio frequency (RF) (BGM-71E-4B-RF) missiles (including seven ‘fly-to-buy’ missiles) and 507 TOW 2B RF (BGM-71F-3-RF) missiles (including seven ‘fly-to-buy’ missiles). The following non-Major Defense Equipment is also included in the deal: support and test equipment; simulators; generators; integration and test support; spare and repair parts; communications equipment; software; facilities and construction support; publications and technical documentation; and various aspects of engineering, logistics, technical, training and programme support.

• Why Saudi Arabia is emerging as key exit market for start-ups

  In the first half of this year, Saudi Arabia's share of exits rose to 20 per cent, compared with 12 per cent in 2021, says Philip Bahoshy, chief executive of data platform Magnitt. Last year, the kingdom witnessed a total of nine exits, accounting for 21 per cent of the Mena region's M&A transactions and ranking second after the UAE. Start-ups usually take an average of seven years to exit, he adds.

• Transcript of Press Briefing: Middle East and Central Asia Department Regional Economic Outlook October 2024

  Let me start with the Middle East and North Africa.  This year has been challenging, with conflicts causing devastating human suffering and economic damage.  Oil production cuts are contributing to sluggish growth in many economies, too.  The recent escalation in Lebanon has increased uncertainty in the MENA region.  The second important issue is on growth.  For 2024, growth is projected at 2.1 percent, a downgrade revision of 0.6 percent from the April WEO forecast, and this is largely due to the impact of the conflict and the prolonged OPEC+ production cuts.  To the extent that these gradually abate, we anticipate stronger growth of 4 percent in 2025.  However, uncertainty about when these factors will ease is still very high.

• Women footballers call on FIFA to end partnership with Saudi Aramco
  A group of over 100 professional women's soccer players on Monday sent an open letter to FIFA urging the world governing body to end its partnership with oil and gas conglomerate Saudi Aramco. In April, FIFA signed a four-year deal which will see Aramco become a worldwide partner, including in major tournaments such as the 2026 World Cup and the Women's World Cup the following year. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sports like soccer, Formula One and golf in the last few years while critics, including women's rights groups and members of the LGBTQ community, accuse the kingdom of using its Public Investment Fund (PIF) to "sportswash" its human rights record.

• Saudi Arabia pumps funding into startups as it vies for Mena No 1

  The VC market across the Middle East and North Africa raised $1.3 billion from January to September 2024 – and Saudi Arabia “led the region”, said startup analyst Magnitt. The kingdom secured “39 percent of Mena’s total funding” and activity was driven by $100 million-plus “deals like SallaApp’s $130 million round” in March, according to Magnitt’s Q3 report. The UAE was the region’s “most active market”, Magnitt added, “with a 12 percent increase in deal volume, accounting for 38 percent of all deals”

• Saudi Arabia, China forge tourism partnerships to boost investment, travel

  In a post on his X account, Al-Khateeb said: “During my visit to China, I met with Chinese investors and discussed the great potential and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector and ways for collaboration to elevate the experience of tourists.” In June, the Kingdom announced its official Approved Destination Status, effective July 1, following participation in the second China Roadshow and ITB China in Shanghai.

• Saudi Arabia Participates in G7 Ministerial Meeting in Italy on Global Health Issues

  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has participated in the G7 Health Ministers' Meeting held in Ancona, Italy, following an invitation from the Group of Seven (G7). The meeting focused on several pressing global health issues, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the impact of climate change on health, and efforts to prolong human life, all aimed at strengthening international collaboration to tackle these critical challenges.

• How Saudi Arabia is partnering with Denmark in sustainable wastewater management

  Denmark’s approach to water sustainability relies on innovative technologies that reduce water wastage while conserving energy and resources. Danish engineering firms like Grundfos are making an impact in Saudi Arabia by introducing solar-powered pumping systems to supply water to remote and off-grid areas where access to electricity may be limited. According to Morten Riis, the company’s group senior director, their water solutions target not only groundwater and rivers but also focus on reducing water loss and optimizing energy consumption in the process.

• Saudi naval forces participate in Medusa 13 joint naval-air exercise in Greece

  The Royal Saudi Naval Forces took part on Sunday in a joint naval-air exercise called Medusa 13, being held in Greece. The exercise includes naval and air forces from Greece, Egypt, France, and Cyprus, alongside Saudi Arabia, and aims to strengthen international military cooperation and enhance naval security, Saudi Press Agency reported.

• KPMG adds eight company members to Saudi partnership team

  Commenting on the career milestone for the eight individuals, Abdullah Hamad Al Fozan, CEO of KPMG Middle East, said: “Congratulations to Ajay, Gary, Omar, Hany, Haytham, Mohammad, Mohannad, and Muhanad on their well-deserved promotions. Their dedication and strategic vision have been instrumental in our firm’s success. We are excited about their future contributions and confident that they will continue to drive transformative results for our clients.” In Saudi Arabia, KPMG has offices in Al Khobar, Jeddah, and Riyadh.

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