“One interesting fact I’ve learned is that Saudi Arabia has the highest per capita number of trucks in the world.”

-Gaurav Biswas, founder and CEO of TruKKer, the Uber of the trucking business and one of the fastest-growing logistics companies in the Middle East, speaks with Frank Kane of Arab News about the origins of TruKKer, how it is managing the pandemic and plans for future growth. [Arab News]

“Germany pulled firmly into the lead in 2017 following the precipitous drop in approval of U.S. leadership that coincided with the inauguration of President Donald Trump. While China, along with Russia, appears to have made modest inroads toward greater influence in some countries, a widespread substitution in preference for global leadership from either Eastern power is not evident.”

-Zacc Ritter and RJ Reinhart comment on the results of Gallup’s latest Global Leadership Poll. [Gallup]

“Worldwide, some 327 million fewer women than men have a smartphone and access to mobile internet and men are four times more likely than women to be ICT (Information and Communication Technology) specialists.”

-Dr. Ilham Mansour Al-Dakheel writing for B20 Saudi Arabia blog discusses the work of the B20 Saudi Arabia’s Future of Work & Education Taskforce – comprised of over 100 different members from around the world – and how the Covid-19 pandemic might accelerate some of it’s planned recommendations. [B20 Saudi Arabia]

“ACWA owns directly or in part a total stable of plants producing nearly 6 million cubic meters per day of water desalination capacity and over 34 GW of power generation capacity. Fifteen percent of its energy production is through renewable energy projects, either solar or wind. The hydrogen plant in Neom would make ACWA one of the lead producers of green hydrogen and ammonia worldwide and one of the most important firms in Saudi Arabia, second only to Saudi Aramco.”

-Jean-François Seznec and Samer Mosis writing for the Atlantic Council analyze the recently signed joint venture agreement between Air Products of the United States, Neom and ACWA Power to build the largest green hydrogen and green ammonia plant in the world. [Atlantic Council]

“The Gulf countries have several respectable universities. However, these institutions generally lack area studies departments, meaning that the foreign ministries do not have a pool of dedicated experts whom they can tap as and when necessary.”

-Omar Al-Ubaydli in Al-Arabiya points to Oxford University and Harvard University as models for Gulf universities because they, “understand the impossibility of precisely anticipating society’s problems, and consequently maintain a high level of knowledge in a diverse range of issues.” [Al-Arabiya]

“According to the Saudi Arabia General Authority for Statistics, women’s labor force participation rates increased from 19% in 2016 to 26% by the fourth quarter of 2019. Their employment also rose by around 9% during that period.”

-Dr. Carole Chartouni and Ekaterina Pankratova writing for World Bank Blog examine the impact of Covid-19 on Saudi employment patterns and offer recommendations on how to maintain positive developments in female employment. [World Bank]

“Hajj this year is for the heroes who saved the country and saved our people, they deserve it … I personally would have loved to go but there are priorities.”

-Nour al Ghamdi, a Saudi citizen interviewed by Reuters, who expressed sadness but understanding at the reduced size of the Hajj this year. According to Reuters, those chosen will receive supplies including special ihram garments, toiletries, and a prayer rug in a suitcase from the Saudi haj ministry, as well as pre-arranged meals. They will be required to maintain social distancing. [Reuters]

“Nose art must be ‘distinctive, symbolic, gender-neutral, intended to enhance unit pride, designed in good taste.'”

-Jamie Hunter writing for The Drive reports on the nose art on U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, as part of the 44th Fighter Squadron, the “Vampires”.  Hunter discusses  past ‘nose art’ policy and the 44th Squadron’s maintainers “bold and remarkably large nose art” applied to a number of the jets. [The Drive]

“Low public debt, a strong credit rating and high FX reserves provided the Kingdom with a cushion against external shocks, including the decline in global demand for oil and other commodities. While the authorities have had to accommodate these temporary shortfalls in revenue, the country’s outlook for recovery is bright, supported by the competitive cost of oil production and an abundance of reserves.”

-Andrew Jeffreys, Oxford Business Group’s CEO, in the company’s Covid-19 Response Report produced with Riyad Bank. [AME Info]