Saudi Arabia is making a significant move to enhance global tourism by expanding its visa-on-arrival program. This initiative now allows travelers with valid visas from the Schengen Zone, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as residents of these regions, to obtain visas upon arrival. This reform aims to eliminate bureaucratic barriers and...
Monsha’at, Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, led a group of five potential Saudi unicorn startups to participate in VivaTech 2025, Europe’s premier technology and innovation exhibition. This participation is part of the Saudi Unicorns initiative, which aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and aims to help fast-growing companies in promising sectors achieve valuations...
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received a phone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday. During the conversation, they discussed the recent developments in the region following the Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to...
Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in its ambition to become a key player in artificial intelligence (AI) by attracting investments from major technology firms, Cisco Systems (CSCO) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). This initiative is part of the Kingdom’s broader strategy to enhance its presence in the AI sector and develop cloud computing capabilities....
Azerbaijan is joining Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania in significantly boosting the Middle East and Africa tourism sector in 2025. These eight countries are all experiencing surging visitor arrivals, increased travel spending, and strong government-led tourism investments. Their combined growth is driving a regional tourism boom characterized by cultural appeal,...
On June 10, 2025, Saudi Arabia announced the resumption of Umrah visa applications for international pilgrims. This decision followed the successful conclusion of Hajj 2025, which was noted for its effective management. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah indicated that the first group of international pilgrims is set to arrive in Mecca and Medina as...
Applications for full scholarships in Saudi Arabia are now open for 265 Filipinos, as announced by the Riyadh embassy in Manila on Wednesday. This initiative aims to provide educational opportunities for Filipino students both in Saudi Arabia and abroad, including those currently residing in the Philippines. Saudi Ambassador Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi stated that the “Study...
Arqaam Capital, a financial services firm headquartered in Dubai’s DIFC, is intensifying its investment banking efforts as deal activity surges in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Originally established as a sales and trading brokerage, the company is now focusing on equity capital markets (ECM), debt capital markets (DCM), and loan syndication. The firm has recently...
The Port of NEOM has reached a significant milestone in its development by receiving Saudi Arabia’s first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes. This advancement is a crucial step toward establishing the port as one of the world’s most advanced and sustainable trade hubs, as it prepares for the opening of Terminal 1 by 2026. The arrival...
Saudi Arabian companies have successfully raised approximately $3 billion through new share sales this year, positioning the nation as one of the leading markets for initial public offerings (IPOs) globally. This substantial influx of capital highlights the growing investor interest in the region, despite a backdrop of challenges that could impact future performance. However, recent...