SUSTG.com / Research

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

Recent stories from sustg

MUST-READS

  • British Explorer to Cross Saudi Arabia on Foot on January 1 in Historic Expedition

    British explorer and TV presenter Alice Morrison is gearing up for a one-of-a-kind adventure, set to make history as the first person to traverse Saudi Arabia on foot from the far north to the far south in an ambitious five-month journey that kicks off on January 1, 2025. Covering an impressive 2,500 kilometers and involving local guides and camels, Morrison will navigate the Kingdom’s vast deserts, lush oases, and towering mountains. Her journey is anchored by three key objectives: to discover new landmarks and delve into the depths of history, to highlight the vital role of Saudi women in society, and to showcase the beauty of the natural landscape and the Kingdom’s efforts to conserve nature.

  • Syria’s top diplomat to visit Saudi Arabia for first foreign trip

    The announcement came as a string of Arab delegations have made their way to Damascus in recent days to meet with Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, as he looks to shore up support in the region and normalise relations that collapsed in the wake of former president Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown on the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011. On Monday, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah al-Yahya was in the Syrian capital, following visits last week by Qatari, Bahraini, and Jordanian officials. The new Syrian leadership is, in particular, seeking investment from the oil-rich Gulf countries to help rebuild a battered economy and infrastructure after 13 years of war.

  • Syria’s FM to visit Saudi Arabia on first foreign trip as Sharaa praises Riyadh

    Shibani’s announcement comes one day after Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa — who also heads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which led the lightning-fast offensive that toppled Assad earlier this month — praised Saudi Arabia's support for Syria. In a wide-ranging interview with the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya channel on Sunday, Sharaa stated that Saudi Arabia seeks stability in Syria and highlighted several investment opportunities in the country, though he did not provide further details. “I am proud of everything that Saudi Arabia has done for Syria, and it has a major role in the country’s future,” he said. A high-ranking Saudi delegation, led by a royal court adviser, visited Damascus and met with Sharaa on Dec. 22. No details of the meeting were made public. According to a source close to the Saudi government who spoke to Agence France-Presse last week, the talks focused on the situation in Syria and the Captagon drug file.

  • Saudi Arabia’s net FDI rises by 37% to over $4bn

    Saudi Arabia’s net foreign direct investment saw a quarter-on-quarter rise of 37 percent in the three months to the end of September, according to the General Authority of Statistics. Data released by the organization showed that the figure – which reflects the net investment gain for the Kingdom after accounting for both inbound and outbound activities – reached SR16 billion ($4.27 billion) over the period. The surge was primarily attributed to a significant decline in FDI outflows, which dropped by 74.36 percent during this period to reach SR2 billion. Meanwhile, FDI inflows, reflecting the investments received by Saudi Arabia, declined by 7.22 percent to SR18 billion.

  • Investors not in Saudi Arabia missing golden opportunity: Alkhorayef

    Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef said that investors not investing in Saudi Arabia are missing a golden opportunity, primarily multinational companies that seek to export products to global markets. In an interview with Asharq News, he noted that the Saudi market is large and promising, allowing producers to reach global markets by offering many advantages, such as financing, industrial lands, energy, and logistics services. The minister said that all government agencies are working diligently to streamline the investor’s journey, highlighting the Kingdom’s strong competitiveness and the profitability of its industrial sectors, such as mining, energy, logistics, technical services, and infrastructure.

  • Syria’s new foreign minister to visit Saudi Arabia on first official trip

    Syria’s newly appointed foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, announced on Monday that his first official visit abroad will be to Saudi Arabia, following an official invitation from his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan. “I have received an official invitation from His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, to visit the Kingdom. I gladly and wholeheartedly accept this invitation and am honored to represent my country on this first official visit,” al-Shibani said on X. “We look forward to building strategic relations with our brothers in the Kingdom across all fields,” he added.

  • Saudi Arabia launches largest regional salmon production center

    Known for its dates and fruit, the central Saudi province of Hail is now stepping into the seafood scene with the launch of the Middle East’s largest salmon production center, backed by the Saudi Environment, Water, and Agriculture Ministry. The 10,000-square-meter facility features aquaponic systems, advanced water recycling, and a hatchery producing 5 million juvenile salmon annually. Once fully operational, the center will produce 10,000 tons of salmon per year, helping to cut into Saudi Arabia’s current annual imports of 23,000 tons.

  • Saudi Arabia announces major labour rule change

    Saudi Arabia’s domestic labour sector, the largest in the Middle East with 3.74 million domestic workers, is undergoing significant reforms to enhance recruitment and safeguard workers’ rights. Launched in February 2024 through the Musaned platform, the insurance covering domestic labour contracts is a key development. It ensures that both employers and domestic workers are granted their due rights, such as salary and compensation for unforeseen circumstances. The insurance is mandatory for the first two years of employment and optional thereafter. This insurance provides compensation for domestic workers in cases of permanent disability due to accidents and safeguards their financial rights if employers default on payments.

  • Saudi Arabia extends tax fine exemption for 6 months

    The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has extended the Cancellation of Fines and Exemption of Penalties Initiative for taxpayers for six months, until June 30, 2025. To qualify, taxpayers must be registered in the tax system, submit all outstanding returns with accurate tax disclosure, and pay fully the principal tax owed on submitted or amended returns. Taxpayers may request instalment plans during the initiative period, provided that all instalments are paid on time, according to the approved plan.

  • China’s Wemart opens first branch in Saudi Arabia

    Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua announced the launch of the first branch of the Chinese hypermarket chain Wemart in Saudi Arabia. “I am delighted to launch the first Chinese Wemart hypermarket in Riyadh. There is a wide range of Asian goods and foods, and all vegetables are produced on its own farm. I would like to thank my fellow ambassadors for joining us today,” the Chinese Ambassador said on X.