Saudi Arabia News

AlUla and Diriyah Expand Tourism Infrastructure Ahead of Peak Season

Saudi heritage authorities are upgrading visitor facilities, hospitality capacity and supporting infrastructure at AlUla and Diriyah as the destinations prepare for stronger international tourism demand.

Saudi Arabia Advances Broader Energy Mix Across Renewables, Hydrogen and Nuclear

Authorities are pursuing renewable power, clean hydrogen and civilian nuclear-energy frameworks alongside the Kingdom’s continuing role in conventional global energy markets.

Saudi Railways Expand Freight Links Between Industrial Hubs and Ports

Saudi Arabia Railways is strengthening connections between industrial centres including Jubail, Dammam and Ras Al-Khair and maritime gateways as the Kingdom develops its national logistics network.

PIF Launches Gulf Coast Development Company for Al-Khafji

The Public Investment Fund has created a new company to develop an integrated tourism and residential destination along Al-Khafji’s coastline in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

Riyadh Hosts UNESCO Global Forum on Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

More than 50 national delegations joined the fourth UNESCO forum in Riyadh to discuss practical approaches to responsible AI governance, institutional capacity and implementation of international ethical principles.

Saudi Fintech Sector Expands to 371 Active Companies

Saudi Arabia’s financial-technology market now includes 371 companies as digital payments and new financial services continue to expand across the Kingdom.

Saudi Housing Transactions Rebound 9% as Urban Demand Strengthens

Knight Frank data show Saudi residential transactions rising year on year in the second quarter, supported by mortgage availability and continued population growth in major cities.

Saudi Arabia Reports Discovery of 114 Million Tonnes of Mineral Resources

New geological surveys have identified substantial mineral resources across the Kingdom, supporting efforts to expand mining as a larger part of Saudi Arabia’s diversified industrial economy.

Arabian Drilling Signs Five-Year Deal for Eight Additional Gas Rigs

Arabian Drilling has agreed with SLB to deploy eight more land rigs, expanding its work on Saudi gas projects as the Kingdom increases domestic production capacity.

Saudi Arabia Issues 268 Industrial Licenses as Manufacturing Base Expands

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources reported 268 new industrial licenses and 149 factories entering production as the Kingdom continues expanding non-oil manufacturing.

Saudi Industrial Fund Expands Clean-Energy Financing Through Mutajadeda

The Saudi Industrial Development Fund is widening financing for renewable-energy manufacturers and power projects, with long repayment periods intended to support domestic clean-energy supply chains.

Saudi Cabinet Approves National Entrepreneurship and SME Strategy

The new strategy includes measures covering finance, market access, innovation and business conditions as Saudi Arabia seeks to increase the contribution of small and medium-sized companies to economic growth.

NEOM Seeks Design Proposals for 400-Kilometre Oxagon Freight Rail Link

NEOM has invited expressions of interest for a freight railway connecting its Red Sea port at Oxagon with Saudi Arabia Railways’ North-South network at Al-Baseeta.

PIF Places NEOM Among Six Core Ecosystems in 2026-2030 Strategy

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has made NEOM one of six ecosystems in its updated five-year strategy, alongside advanced manufacturing, logistics, clean energy, tourism and urban development.

Saudi Cabinet Reviews Regional Security and Vision 2030 Priorities

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired a Cabinet meeting in Jeddah covering regional security, international cooperation, civilian nuclear-energy regulation and continued implementation of Vision 2030.

Saudi Aramco Agrees to Take Significant Minority Stake in AI Company HUMAIN

Aramco and the Public Investment Fund plan to combine artificial intelligence assets and capabilities through HUMAIN, with PIF retaining majority ownership as Saudi Arabia expands its domestic AI infrastructure.

Saudi Air Defenses Intercept Houthi Missile Targeting Riyadh as Oil Exports Shift East

Saudi forces said they destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, while Aramco increased Gulf-side exports through Ras Tanura after attacks disrupted the East-West pipeline toward Yanbu.

Saudi Asian Games Boxing Medalists to Earn World Championship Qualification

Saudi boxers who win medals at the upcoming Asian Games will receive direct entry to the World Boxing Championships under a new pathway aimed at developing athletes for future Olympic competition.

Saudi Arabia Issues Heavy Rain and Flash-Flood Warnings for Western Regions

The National Centre of Meteorology has warned western coastal and mountainous areas to prepare for heavy rainfall, possible flash flooding and unsettled weather during the seasonal transition.

Red Sea Global Accelerates Resort Development as Tourism Demand Grows

Red Sea Global is advancing remaining infrastructure and resort openings along Saudi Arabia’s western coast after reporting strong demand at its Nujuma and Shebara properties.

Neom Advances Construction Work on The Line

Construction groups working at Neom are progressing with foundations, earthworks and tunnelling for The Line as Saudi Arabia continues development of the large-scale project.

Diriyah Company Issues New Tenders for Hospitality and Heritage Development

PIF-backed Diriyah Company has launched new construction tenders covering luxury hotels and heritage projects as development continues around the historic district near Riyadh.

Saudi Fintech Companies Lead Regional Venture Capital Funding

Financial-technology startups in Riyadh and Jeddah captured the largest share of Middle Eastern venture funding during the latest quarter, reflecting growing investor activity in Saudi Arabia’s digital financial sector.

Riyadh Air Adds Daily Dubai Service as Regional Network Expands

Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier is launching daily flights between Riyadh and Dubai as the airline builds its regional network and the Kingdom expands aviation capacity.

Saudi PIF Reduces International Sports Spending as Investment Priorities Shift

The Public Investment Fund is pulling back from some overseas sports commitments, including future LIV Golf funding, as it reallocates capital toward domestic projects and other investment priorities.

Trump Nominates Wesley Hunt as US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump has nominated former Texas Representative Wesley Hunt to become US ambassador to Saudi Arabia as Washington and Riyadh deepen diplomatic, defence and economic coordination.

Saudi Arabia Moves to Diversify Supply Chains Away From Disrupted Red Sea Routes

The Ministry of Economy and Planning is seeking alternative logistics and export corridors to protect Saudi non-oil manufacturers from bottlenecks caused by instability around the Red Sea.

Saudi-Iran Diplomatic Engagement Comes Under Strain Amid Yemen Escalation

Relations between Riyadh and Tehran have become more strained as regional tensions rise and reports emerge of direct US contacts with Houthi representatives over Red Sea security.

Saudi Arabia Expands AI Infrastructure Through PIF-Backed HUMAIN

The Public Investment Fund is building data centres, cloud infrastructure and Arabic-language artificial-intelligence models through HUMAIN as Saudi Arabia expands its domestic AI industry.

Saudi Wholesale Inflation Reaches 5% as Shipping Disruptions Raise Costs

Saudi wholesale prices rose 5%, the strongest increase in several years, as higher chemical, transportable-goods and logistics costs added to inflationary pressure from disrupted regional shipping.

Saudi Aramco Expands Ship-to-Ship Oil Transfers Near Oman

Saudi Aramco is increasing crude transfers near Sohar in Oman as it seeks alternative routes for exports disrupted by damage to the East-West pipeline and instability around regional shipping corridors.

Saudi Economy Contracts 4.7% as Oil Activity Drops Sharply

Saudi Arabia’s economy shrank 4.7% year on year in the second quarter as oil activity fell about 24%, outweighing continued growth in non-oil and government sectors.

Saudi Central Bank Raises Repo Rate to 4.5%

The Saudi Central Bank increased its benchmark repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 4.5%, tightening monetary conditions as the Kingdom faces higher costs and continued regional economic uncertainty.

Saudi Arabia Expands Regional Security Coordination as Red Sea Threats Grow

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held security talks in Cairo while Saudi military officials participated in wider regional discussions involving the United States and Israel as Houthi attacks intensify around the Red Sea.

Saudi Arabia Seeks British Military Assistance Against Houthi Advances

Riyadh has requested British military support as Houthi forces expand operations near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and attacks increase pressure on Saudi oil infrastructure and maritime security.

United States Approves Proposed $24 Billion F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia

The Trump administration has asked Congress to clear the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a package valued at more than $24 billion as Riyadh confronts heightened regional security threats.

Saudi Aramco Cancels European Crude Shipments After East-West Pipeline Attack

Saudi Aramco has told European refining customers that next month’s crude deliveries will be cancelled after a drone attack shut the East-West pipeline, disrupting a major route used to move Saudi oil to the Red Sea.

Saudi Hotel Expansion Faces Execution Risks as Giga-Projects Accelerate

Hospitality analysts say strong religious-tourism demand provides a stable base for Saudi Arabia’s hotel sector, while the scale of planned investment in new destinations creates longer-term development and demand risks.

Saudi Authorities Issue Temporary Security Alerts for Farasan Islands

Civil defence officials activated warnings for the Farasan Islands as continued aerial and maritime threats from the Yemen conflict kept southwestern Saudi Arabia on heightened alert.

Saudi Arabia Uses National Warning System During Aerial Threats

Civil defence authorities sent mobile alerts advising residents in affected areas to remain indoors and stay away from windows as missile and drone threats prompted emergency measures.

Saudi Arabia Condemns Deadly Mosque Attack in Pakistan

The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned a fatal extremist attack on a mosque in northwestern Pakistan and reiterated Riyadh’s opposition to terrorism.

Saudi PIF Maintains AI Investment Push Despite Global Technology Sell-Off

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is continuing to direct capital toward domestic data centers and artificial-intelligence projects despite a broader decline in global technology stocks.

Saudi Arabia Targets 500,000 Hotel Rooms by 2030

Tourism authorities are accelerating hotel development across projects including Neom, The Red Sea and Diriyah as Saudi Arabia works toward accommodating 150 million annual visitors.

Saudi Aramco to Take Minority Stake in PIF-Owned AI Company HUMAIN

Saudi Aramco and the Public Investment Fund plan to combine artificial-intelligence assets and capabilities through HUMAIN, with Aramco taking a significant minority stake while PIF retains majority ownership.

Houthi Leadership Threatens Further Strikes on Saudi Arabia

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree has claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi targets and threatened additional strikes as hostilities intensify around energy infrastructure and Red Sea shipping.

Saudi Press