Saudi Arabia News

MBC Studios Sets November Saudi Cinema Release for Traveler’s Hell

MBC Studios says its psychological thriller Traveler’s Hell will open in Saudi cinemas in November, adding to the Kingdom’s expanding domestic film and entertainment sector.

Saudi Culture Ministry Opens National Heritage Exhibition in AlUla

A new exhibition in AlUla is showcasing restoration projects from across the Kingdom as officials promote historic preservation and cultural tourism.

Saudi Commerce Ministry Steps Up Retail Compliance Inspections

Consumer protection teams in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah are carrying out coordinated inspections focused on pricing transparency, contracts and compliance with commercial rules.

Saudi Humanitarian Agency Expands Medical and Food Missions Across Conflict Zones

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has launched new operations delivering food, surgical support and shelter materials across the Middle East and East Africa.

Saudi Arabia Prepares for Arabian Gulf Cup Final After Strong Defensive Run

The Saudi national football team is completing preparations for the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup final in Jeddah under coach Georgios Donis after reaching the championship match without conceding.

Saudi Arabia Launches Red Sea Yacht Show to Expand Jeddah’s Luxury Tourism Market

Tourism authorities are preparing the Red Sea Yacht Show in Jeddah to attract superyacht owners and high-end travellers as the Kingdom develops its western coast under Vision 2030.

Saudi Entertainment Sector Reports Record Visitor Numbers and More Than 2,500 Active Event Licences

Saudi regulators say concerts, festivals and family attractions have drawn tens of millions of visitors while more than 2,500 event licences remain active across the Kingdom.

Saudi Space Agency Expands Partnerships in Earth Observation and Satellite Manufacturing

Saudi space authorities have signed new research agreements with international aerospace companies to develop domestic satellite, remote-sensing and meteorological capabilities.

Saudi Border Forces Seize Major Contraband Shipments Along Yemen Frontier

Interior Ministry units have intercepted large quantities of narcotics and prohibited goods along the southern border as authorities intensify action against cross-border smuggling networks.

Saudi Arabia Accelerates New Desalination Projects to Strengthen Water Security

State operators are commissioning advanced reverse-osmosis facilities in the Eastern Province and along the Red Sea coast to support growing cities and large development projects.

Saudi Civil Defence Issues Storm and Flash-Flood Warnings Across Multiple Regions

Authorities in Riyadh, Mecca and Asir are warning residents and motorists about heavy thunderstorms, strong winds and possible flash flooding that could disrupt transport and rural areas.

PIF Extends Potential 1 Billion Riyal Loan Facility for Emaar, The Economic City

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has extended a possible 1 billion riyal shareholder loan facility for Emaar, The Economic City, through February 2027 to support liquidity for major development projects.

Rolls-Royce and MAKEEN Agree to Produce Marine Engines in Saudi Arabia

Rolls-Royce and MAKEEN have signed a manufacturing agreement to localise production of specialised marine engines, supporting Saudi Arabia’s industrial strategy and maritime supply chain development.

Saudi Arabia Expands Sovereign AI Strategy as 2026 Is Declared Year of Artificial Intelligence

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority is increasing domestic AI capabilities, governance frameworks and international partnerships following the Kingdom’s accession to the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.

Aramco Digital and Dell Partner on Industrial AI and Cloud Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia

Aramco Digital and Dell Technologies have agreed to deploy artificial intelligence, cloud systems and automation tools across Saudi industrial and energy operations.

Fitch Reviews Saudi Budget Outlook and Medium-Term Fiscal Deficits

Fitch Ratings says Saudi Arabia’s preliminary budget points to manageable fiscal adjustments alongside continued capital spending on non-oil infrastructure.

Saudi Public Investment Fund Unveils 2026-2030 Strategy Focused on Capital Efficiency and Partnerships

The Public Investment Fund has launched a new five-year plan centred on more disciplined domestic investment, stronger global partnerships and long-term value creation across the Kingdom’s diversification programme.

Saudi Finance Ministry Projects 3.6% GDP Contraction While Maintaining Heavy Vision 2030 Spending

Preliminary budget figures point to a 3.6% economic decline this year, driven by lower oil production, while government spending remains around $370 billion to support long-term diversification plans.

Saudi Arabia Delays Neom Stadium Project as Giga-Project Priorities Shift

Saudi football and development authorities have reportedly postponed construction of the planned Neom Stadium for the 2034 World Cup, reflecting broader fiscal reprioritisation across major infrastructure projects.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye Activate Makkah Defence Alliance Amid Regional Tensions

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman convened an emergency meeting in Riyadh where Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye agreed to coordinate force deployments and military support in response to rising security threats linked to...

Saudi Arabia Expands AI Diagnostics and Digital Health Records Across Public Hospitals

The Health Ministry has completed a wider rollout of unified electronic medical records and machine-learning diagnostic tools across public facilities in Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province.

Saudi Arabia Expands Food Security Agreements and Strategic Grain Reserves

Government agencies have concluded long-term agricultural supply deals and increased strategic grain reserves to reduce exposure to global food supply disruptions.

Diriyah Gate Unveils Phase Two Plans for Hotels, Museums and Cultural Venues

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority released plans for the next stage of its heritage district, including luxury hotels, museums and performing arts centres backed by multi-billion-dollar investment.

King Salman Energy Park Advances Manufacturing and Logistics Expansion

The King Salman Energy Park in the Eastern Province has reached new construction milestones while attracting international energy equipment makers and supply-chain operators.

Saudi Aviation Authority Expands International Routes Through Riyadh and Jeddah

The General Authority of Civil Aviation finalised agreements with major airlines to add direct services through King Khalid International Airport and King Abdulaziz International Airport.

Red Sea Global and Neom Accelerate Tourism Infrastructure Ahead of Winter Season

Developers are advancing construction of resorts, marinas and airports across major Vision 2030 projects as international visitor demand rises ahead of the winter travel period.

Saudi Capital Market Authority Updates Rules to Attract More Institutional Investment

The Capital Market Authority introduced revised listing and disclosure regulations aimed at making secondary offerings easier and increasing institutional participation in the Tadawul market.

Saudi Foreign Business Licences Record Double-Digit Growth

The Ministry of Investment reported a substantial increase in newly issued foreign corporate licences, supported by regulatory reforms and simplified establishment procedures under Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia Expands Diplomatic and Security Coordination Across Gulf and Asian Partners

Senior Saudi delegations held bilateral talks with Gulf Cooperation Council and Asian counterparts focused on collective security, maritime stability and economic cooperation.

Saudi Central Bank Tightens Supervisory and Liquidity Frameworks

The Saudi Central Bank introduced updated oversight and liquidity-management measures for commercial lenders as it seeks to preserve credit growth while protecting the financial system from global volatility.

Saudi Data Centre Construction Costs Seen at $13 Million Per Megawatt Through 2030

S&P analysts estimate Saudi data centre capital expenditure will average about $13 million per megawatt through the end of the decade, supported by low-cost energy and government digitisation policies.

Saudi Aramco and Public Investment Fund Expand AI and Advanced Industry Investments

Saudi Aramco and the Public Investment Fund are increasing investment in domestic data centres, advanced manufacturing and machine-learning infrastructure as the kingdom seeks to build a larger technology sector.

Saudi Arabia Shelves $2.5 Billion Neom Stadium Planned for 2034 World Cup

Authorities have placed the proposed 46,000-seat stadium inside The Line on indefinite hold and are redirecting resources toward renovating and delivering 15 alternative venues across the kingdom.

Saudi Finance Ministry Projects 3.6% GDP Contraction for 2026

Saudi Arabia’s pre-budget update projects a 3.6% economic contraction in 2026, driven by lower crude production quotas, while setting out planned expenditure of about 1.54 trillion riyals for the coming year.

Saudi Arabia Condemns Renewed Houthi Attacks and Vows Firm Military Response

The Saudi government condemned fresh drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure and sacred sites, saying the Houthi movement had chosen escalation despite continuing diplomatic efforts led by Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia Cuts November Crude Prices to Asia by $3 a Barrel

Saudi Aramco lowered the official selling price of Arab Light crude for Asian buyers by $3 a barrel to $5 below regional benchmarks as the kingdom seeks to defend market share and support refinery margins amid shipping disruptions in the...

Riyadh Hosts International Congress on Arabic Language and Digital Heritage

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language brought together scholars, linguists and cultural officials to discuss preservation of Arabic heritage and its integration into digital technologies.

Riyadh Season Expands International Sports and Entertainment Program

Organizers announced a broader schedule of championship boxing, international music residencies and cultural events intended to boost winter tourism, hospitality and consumer spending.

Saudi Arabia Tightens Intellectual Property Enforcement for Technology Companies

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property introduced stronger digital enforcement procedures aimed at protecting software, artificial intelligence and other technology patents in commercial courts.

Saudi Arabia Deploys Unified Digital Health Records and AI Diagnostics

The Health Ministry has introduced a national electronic health record platform with machine-learning diagnostic tools across public hospitals in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.

Saudi Industrial Development Fund Backs Advanced Manufacturing Startups

The Saudi Industrial Development Fund approved new financing for local small and medium-sized companies working in robotics, electric vehicle components and aerospace engineering.

Saudi Fund for Development Signs New Water and Renewable Energy Financing Deals

The Saudi Fund for Development agreed to concessional financing for desalination facilities and renewable power projects in African and Asian partner countries.

Saudi Arabia Expands Visa-Free and Electronic Entry Options

The Foreign Ministry introduced streamlined entry arrangements for additional nationalities as the Kingdom seeks to support its tourism strategy and attract more international business travelers.

Saudi Arabia Approves Major Expansion of King Khalid International Airport

Aviation authorities have finalized engineering plans for a new terminal expansion at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to accommodate growing international passenger traffic and national airline expansion.

Saudi Press