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“The outlook for initial public offerings in the Middle East and North Africa region remains positive in 2025, with Saudi Arabia leading the market with 27 potential listings.” Saudi Arabia to lead region’s initial public offerings in 2025 — EY [Arab News]

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Saudi MOF and IMF convene first annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies

IMF, Al Ula conference on emerging economies, 2

The AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, organized jointly by the Saudi Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was held February 16-17, 2025. [more]

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Rubio arrives in Saudi Arabia before Russia talks to end Ukraine war

Via Simon Lewis in reuters.com: Russia said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will hold talks with top U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on Tuesday that will focus on ending the war in Ukraine and restoring the whole complex of Russia-U.S. ties. Rubio arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Monday on a previously planned trip. U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who are set to arrive later on Monday, will be joining him at the talks with the Russians. The talks will be among the first high-level, in-person discussions in years between Russian and U.S. officials and are meant to precede a meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy advisor to President Vladimir Putin, would fly to the Saudi capital Riyadh on Monday. Riyadh, which is also involved in talks with Washington over the future of the Gaza Strip, has played a role in early contacts between the Trump administration, which took office on January 20, and Moscow, helping to secure a prisoner swap last week.

Saudi Arabia Emerges as Key Global Player Under Trump

Via Amir Daftari in newsweek.com: Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic maneuvers reflect its ambitions to assert itself globally while securing its own geopolitical interests. Its support for a negotiated peace in Ukraine could bolster its influence with both Washington and Moscow, while its leadership on Gaza underscores its regional authority. The Kingdoms balancing act will test its ability to navigate the complex dynamics of great power competition and Middle East stability. Saudi Arabias recent diplomatic maneuvers reflect a growing maturity from Riyadh that we didnt see during President Donald Trumps first term. The Kingdom appears to have moved on from an unrealistic foreign policy approach towards the region, and instead seems to be using its leverage and embracing diplomacy as a tool for regional stability and strategic influence.

Saudi Arabia awards almost $2bn of contracts in January

Via Nadim Kawach in agbi.com: Saudi government entities awarded more than SAR6.5 billion ($1.7 billion) of contracts in January, led by housing, infrastructure and industry. More than half the value of the contracts issued last month – SAR3.7 billion – was allocated towards construction, with the remainder going on water , energy and industry projects, the Saudi Contractors’ Authority (SCA) said last week in its latest Muqawil (contractor) bulletin. There were 15 projects in all, and the capital Riyadh took the lion’s share by value at SAR4.8 billion. This month, the SCA is expecting the number of awarded contracts to rise to 25, from entities including Saudi Electricity Company, the National Housing Company and the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Top US envoy to meet Russian officials for Ukraine peace talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to meet Russian officials in Saudi Arabia in the coming days for talks aimed at ending...[By Malu Cursino via bbc.com]

Saudi Prince Steps In as Power Broker in Trump’s New World Order

MBS, as the oil-rich kingdom’s de facto ruler is known, is one of the few global power brokers to enjoy a close relationship with Trump...[By Sam Dagher, Fiona MacDonald and Peter Martin via yahoo.com]

Saudi Arabia seeks to mediate between Trump and Iran on new nuclear deal

Saudi Arabia is open to mediating between the Trump administration and Iran in pursuit of a new...[By Abbas Al Lawati via cnn.com]

Rubio says talks in Saudi Arabia meant to be opening step toward peace

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of building trust and opening communication with Russia as he and other top Trump...[By Amanda Friedman via politico.com]

Saudi Arabia vows full support to Lebanon’s actions to safeguard citizens’ security

Saudi Arabia expressed on Sunday its full support for the measures taken by the Lebanese government to safeguard the security of its citizens and respond...[via com.sa]

Saudi defense minister, Pentagon chief discuss Saudi-US defense cooperation

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Sunday that he spoke to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth...[via alarabiya.net]

Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Call With Saudi Minister of Defense, His Royal Highness Khalid bin Salman

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Saudi Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman held an introductory call today to reaffirm the critical defense partnership...[via defense.gov]

Zelenskyy Arrives In Middle East, But Kyiv Says Peace Talks Not On Agenda

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the Middle East as the United States prepared to hold talks in Saudi Arabia with Russia on how to...[via rferl.org]

US, Ukrainian officials head to Saudi Arabia as talks loom on ending Russia’s war

A Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Saudi Arabia for meetings in preparation for a possible visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a Ukrainian minister said Sunday,...[via apnews.com]

Zelensky warns Ukraine won’t accept decisions made without them in peace talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said...[By Avery Lotz via axios.com]

BBC - US advisers head to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russia - without Ukraine

Al Ula conference For Emerging Market Economies THE MANAGING DIRECTOR’S OPENING REMARKS

Now is a time of sweeping transformations in the global economy, in terms of technology, demography and geopolitics, creating a more challenging and uncertain environment...[via imf.org]

IMF - Joint Statement by the Saudi Finance Minister and IMF Managing Director on Supporting Recovery in the Middle East’s Conflict-Affected Economies

Joint Statement by Saudi Finance Minister and IMF Managing Director on Supporting Recovery in the Middle East’s Conflict-Affected Economies

On the sidelines of the inaugural annual global AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia (February 16-17), Saudi Arabia's Finance Ministry and...[via yahoo.com]

Saudi Arabia to lead region’s initial public offerings in 2025 — EY

The outlook for initial public offerings in the Middle East and North Africa region remains positive in 2025, with Saudi Arabia leading the market with...[By Nirmal Narayanan via arabnews.com]

Saudi Arabia eyes $1 trillion infrastructure boost by 2030

Saudi Arabia plans to invest nearly $1 trillion in infrastructure projects by 2030 to accelerate economic diversification and boost private-sector participation, Minister of Economy...[By Khitam Al Amir via gulfnews.com]

Announced at LEAP 2025: The Next Step for Saudi Arabia Financial Innovation

The five-day event saw experts from across the financial market come together to discuss and learn about AI-driven financial services, investment platforms, strategic partnerships,...[via ]

Saudi Arabia’s PIF Expands Tourism Investments Beyond Riyadh

In July 2023, PIF established the Saudi Tourism Investment Company, known as Asfar, to spearhead the development of new tourism projects across various cities....[via msn.com]

BYD Energy Storage Secures World’s Largest Energy Storage Contracts with Saudi Electricity Company

BYD Energy Storage has signed a landmark agreement with Saudi Electricity Company for the development of energy storage projects with a total capacity of 12.5...[via solarquarter.com]

Saudi Arabia Expands Absher Platform with New Digital Identity Services for Citizens and Expatriates

Saudi Arabia has expanded its Absher digital platform with new services that streamline government procedures for citizens and expatriates. The platform recently achieved a milestone...[via idtechwire.com]

Discover a World of Cinematic Opportunities in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Film Commission, one of 11 specialized commissions under the Ministry of Culture, plays a pivotal role in...[via variety.com]

Explorer completes first stage of bid to cross Saudi Arabia on foot

Writer and TV presenter Alice Morrison, from Edinburgh, began her journey on New Year’s Day at the border with Jordan. Accompanied by two camels – named...[By Nick Forbes via the-independent.com]

How Saudi Arabia is leveraging regenerative tourism to blend luxury with sustainability

At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s environmental strategy is regenerative tourism, which aims to protect natural habitats through science-led approaches and sustainable practices. Unlike sustainable tourism,...[By Sulafa Alkhunaizi via arabnews.com]

Cybersecurity market seen to rise 13% in Saudi Arabia: PwC official

Samer Omar, PwC Middle East Cybersecurity & Digital Trust Leader, said Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity market is estimated at SAR 13-14 billion, of which 31% is...[via argaam.com]

Saudi nationals make up 70% of Red Sea Global workforce: top official

Saudi Arabia’s multi-project developer Red Sea Global currently employs 70 percent of its workforce from the local population, according to the firm’s group chief financial...[By Nirmal Narayanan via arabnews.com]

Saudi Arabia deports 10,822 illegal residents in a week

Saudi Arabia has deported 10,822 illegal residents during the last week, the Ministry of Interior revealed on Saturday. A total of 29,510 violators were referred...[via com.sa]

Top US diplomat arrives in Israel on first trip to Middle East

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel late Saturday on his first trip to...[via middleeastmonitor.com]

How Trump’s dealmaker is shaping U.S. foreign policy

Witkoff has an expanding portfolio that now includes Trump's biggest geopolitical challenge — negotiating a deal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine as...[By Alex Isenstadt , Barak Ravid , Marc Caputo via axios.com]

Netanyahu says Israel and US are determined to thwart Iran

Israel and the United States are determined to thwart Iran's...[By James Mackenzie and Menna AlaaElDin via reuters.com]

Israel receives shipment of heavy bombs cleared by Trump

Israel has received a shipment of heavy MK-84 bombs from the United States, after U.S. President Donald...[By James Mackenzie and Andrea Shalal via reuters.com]