Saudi Arabia News

Jazan Produces 60% of Saudi Arabia’s Mango Harvest

Agricultural authorities say farms in Jazan accounted for 60% of the kingdom’s mango production, highlighting the southern province’s growing role in domestic agriculture.

Saudi Culture Ministry Launches Nationwide Heritage Exhibitions

Saudi Arabia’s Culture Ministry has opened exhibitions featuring traditional architecture, textile crafts and culinary heritage as part of efforts to preserve and promote national cultural traditions.

Saudi Pro League Reports Growth in International Broadcast and Streaming Audiences

The Saudi Pro League says international broadcast agreements and digital viewership are increasing across European and Asian markets as global interest in the competition expands.

Red Sea Global Expands Renewable Power and Water Infrastructure at Resort Developments

Red Sea Global is advancing renewable-energy microgrids and desalination infrastructure across new hospitality developments on Saudi Arabia’s western coast.

Saudi Industrial Cities Attract New Manufacturing and Logistics Investment

Saudi Arabia’s industrial cities authority has secured new investment commitments from international manufacturers planning assembly and logistics facilities in Riyadh, Dammam and Jubail.

Saudi Non-Oil Activity Expands as Diversification Push Continues

Saudi statistical data show continued growth across non-oil sectors including utilities, waste management and retail, supporting the kingdom’s broader effort to diversify economic activity beyond hydrocarbons.

Saudi AI Business Registrations Rise 31% to More Than 24,000

Commercial registrations for artificial intelligence activities in Saudi Arabia have climbed 31% to 24,552 as investment and business formation accelerate across the kingdom’s technology sector.

Saudi PIF Advances 2026-2030 Strategy Focused on Long-Term Value and Domestic Growth

The Public Investment Fund is implementing its 2026-2030 strategy through Vision, Strategic and Financial portfolios, with greater emphasis on investment efficiency, private-sector participation and long-term returns.

PIF Launches Tawrid Digital Platform for Supply-Chain Financing

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has launched Tawrid, a digital platform offering supply-chain financing products aimed at improving liquidity for businesses and strengthening domestic industrial supply networks.

Saudi Arabia Denies Claim It Purchased 25 Oil Tankers

The Saudi Energy Ministry has rejected an Iraqi claim that the kingdom bought 25 oil tankers for $4.5 billion, saying higher regional shipping costs instead reflect broader geopolitical and maritime disruptions.

Saudi Central Bank Raises Repo Rate by 25 Basis Points to 4.5%

The Saudi Central Bank has increased its benchmark repurchase rate to 4.5%, maintaining its focus on monetary stability as regional and international financial conditions shift.

US Clears Potential $24.3 Billion Sale of 48 F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia

The US State Department has approved a potential sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets and related equipment to Saudi Arabia, a package valued at up to $24.3 billion that would expand the kingdom’s long-term air-defense capabilities.

Saudi Air Defenses Intercept Missile and Drone Attacks Targeting Riyadh and Yanbu

Saudi air defenses intercepted aerial attacks targeting Riyadh and areas including Yanbu as renewed regional tensions raised security concerns around major population centers and energy infrastructure.

Grand Mosque Muezzin Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Madani Dies at 51

Sheikh Ibrahim bin Adel Al-Madani, a longtime principal muezzin of the Grand Mosque in Makkah known for the dawn call to prayer, has died at the age of 51. ([Saudi Gazette][17])

Saudi Finance Ministry Joins Global Public-Sector Accounting Talks in Ghana

A Saudi Ministry of Finance delegation participated in International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board meetings in Accra covering accounting modernisation and sustainability-related disclosures.

Saudi Foreign Ministry Hosts World Law Day Forum on International Rules and Emerging Technology

The Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies hosted legal experts and officials in Riyadh for discussions on international law and the regulatory challenges created by emerging technologies. ([sadr.org][16])

Saudi Tourism Campaign Promotes AlUla and Asir Ahead of Cooler Travel Season

Saudi tourism authorities are increasing international promotion of heritage, mountain and luxury destinations including AlUla and Asir as the Kingdom seeks to attract more visitors during the autumn and winter seasons. ([Saudi Press][15])

King Khalid International Airport Advances Terminal Expansion Preparations

Riyadh airport authorities are progressing terminal-capacity upgrades and operational changes as Saudi Arabia prepares for continued growth in international passenger traffic. ([Riyadh Airports][14])

Saudi Capital Markets Maintain Institutional Participation Amid Regional Volatility

Saudi financial markets are recording resilient trading volumes and steady institutional participation as investors navigate shifting energy prices and broader regional uncertainty.

Saudi Aramco Keeps September Gasoline Prices Stable

Saudi Aramco has maintained domestic prices for Gasoline 91 and 95 in September while adjusting contract pricing for propane and butane in response to regional energy-market conditions. ([Aramco][13])

Saudi Foreign Minister Joins GCC Coordination Talks Ahead of UN General Assembly

Prince Faisal bin Farhan joined Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers in New York to coordinate positions on regional security and issues before the 81st United Nations General Assembly high-level week. ([Arab News][12])

Red Sea International Film Festival Postpones Sixth Edition to Late 2027

The Red Sea Film Foundation has postponed the sixth edition of its Jeddah festival to the fourth quarter of 2027, while its year-round film funding and development programmes will continue. ([Red Sea Film Festival][11])

Saudi Arabia Introduces Unified National Framework for Regulatory Inspections

The National Center for Inspection and Oversight has introduced a common framework for government inspections built around risk-based supervision, transparency and more predictable compliance procedures for businesses. ([Nat'l Center fo...

Saudi Building Permits Rise 15.5% in July as Construction Activity Strengthens

Saudi Arabia issued 5,828 building permits in July, up 15.5% from June and 4.4% from a year earlier, according to preliminary data from the General Authority for Statistics. ([Saudi Gazette][9])

Prince Faisal bin Bandar Receives Four-Year Extension as Riyadh Governor

King Salman has extended Prince Faisal bin Bandar’s tenure as governor of the Riyadh region for another four years by royal decree. ([Al Riyadh][8])

Saudi Arabia Expands Artificial Intelligence Data Infrastructure in Riyadh and NEOM

Saudi technology and investment initiatives are accelerating development of large-scale computing infrastructure, including an artificial intelligence data-centre campus under construction at Oxagon as the Kingdom builds domestic cloud a...

NEOM Plans 400-Kilometre Freight Rail Link From Oxagon to National Network

NEOM has invited consultants to work on a freight railway of more than 400 kilometres connecting the Port of NEOM at Oxagon with Saudi Arabia Railways’ North-South network at Al-Baseeta. ([Meed][6])

PIF Launches Tawrid Supply-Chain Finance Platform for Saudi Businesses

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has launched Tawrid, a digital financing platform designed to improve working-capital access and liquidity for companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises. ([PIF][5])

Saudi Economy Forecast to Rebound to 6.1% Growth in 2027

A survey of international economists projects Saudi gross domestic product growth of about 0.6% in 2026 before accelerating to 6.1% next year as oil production normalises and non-oil activity continues expanding. ([Saudi Gazette][4])

Saudi-Led Maritime Defence Coalition Moves Closer to Operational Deployment

Representatives from 41 countries and the European Union met in Jeddah for the coalition’s fourth planning session, advancing capability integration and preparations for operations to protect major regional shipping routes. ([Saudi Gaze...

Saudi Aramco Trims European Crude Allocations After Yanbu Disruptions

Saudi Aramco has reduced some long-term crude allocations to European refiners through the end of September after disruptions at the Yanbu export hub constrained Red Sea shipments.

G7 Condemns Houthi Strikes on Saudi Arabia and Threats to Red Sea Shipping

G7 foreign ministers and the European Union have condemned continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, warning that the conflict threatens regional stability, energy security and freedom of navigation through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab...

Saudi Arabia Tests East-West Oil Pipeline for Restart After Drone Attack

Saudi Arabia is testing its strategic East-West pipeline after drone attacks forced a shutdown, raising prospects of renewed crude flows to the Red Sea port of Yanbu and easing pressure on global oil markets. ([The Wall Street Journal][1])

Saudi Students Win Four Awards at Balkan Olympiad in Informatics

Saudi high-school students secured four awards at the international programming competition, adding to national efforts to develop advanced computing and technical skills.

Saudi Arabia Marks National Day With Events Across the Kingdom

Riyadh and other Saudi cities are holding cultural, recreational and sporting events for National Day, including public illuminations and celebrations across major urban centres.

Jeddah Prepares to Host Arabian Gulf Cup

Sports authorities are finalising preparations for the Arabian Gulf Cup in Jeddah as Saudi Arabia continues expanding its calendar of major regional and international sporting events.

Saudi Aid Agency Expands Food and Medical Assistance in Gaza and Yemen

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre has increased deliveries of food, medical supplies and temporary shelter to communities affected by conflict in Gaza and Yemen.

Riyadh Hosts UNESCO Global Forum on Artificial Intelligence Ethics

More than 6,000 participants gathered in Riyadh for UNESCO’s fourth Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, focusing on international cooperation, safety and responsible AI governance.

King Fahd International Airport Awards Major Expansion Design Contract

Dammam Airports Company has selected WSP to design expanded passenger terminals, access infrastructure and other upgrades at King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

Saudia Climbs to 15th in Skytrax Global Airline Ranking

Saudi Arabia’s national carrier rose to 15th in the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, while Flynas remained among the highest-ranked Middle Eastern low-cost carriers.

Saudi Arabia Rises to 13th in IMD Global Competitiveness Ranking

Saudi Arabia climbed four places to rank 13th among 70 economies in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, placing third among G20 members.