Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Saturday, Mar 28, 2026

Diverse Global Initiatives: ACWA Power's Desalination Marvel, Saudi Arabia's Labor Reforms, Fintech Innovations, and Evolving Geopolitical Dynamics

ACWA Power to build $680 million desalination plant in Sharjah, enhancing sustainable clean water access by 2028.
ACWA Power is set to build a $680 million desalination plant in Sharjah, with a whopping capacity of 410,000 cubic meters per day. This Hamriyah Independent Water Plant, expected to begin partial operations in Q2 2027 and reach full capacity by Q3 2028, underscores ACWA Power's leading role in global water desalination and fortifies Sharjah's water strategy for sustainable access to clean water.

In related news, Saudi Arabia has remarkably reached 80% of its labor market strategy, thanks to sweeping reforms bolstered by collaboration between the government and private sectors. These reforms aim not only at economic participation and productivity but also at enhancing national skills and reducing unemployment as shared by Dr. Abdullah Abuthnain at a recent Diwaniyat Al-Kitab meeting in Riyadh.

Speaking of forward-thinking initiatives, the Saudi Insurance Authority has unveiled a legislative sandbox to drive fintech innovation within the insurance sector. Announced at the “Fintech 24” conference, this platform will enable the testing of new insurance solutions in a controlled environment, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, noted Chairman Abdulaziz Al-Bouq and CEO Eng. Naji Al-Tamimi.

Shifting gears, the OMODA C5 has earned a stellar five-star safety rating in the ASEAN NCAP tests, reinforcing its top-tier safety status internationally. This achievement, along with prior accolades from European and Australian NCAPs, underscores the vehicle's robust safety features, such as high-strength steel structure, advanced restraint systems, and intelligent driving technologies.

Meanwhile, geopolitical tides are turning as Egyptian President El-Sisi’s visit to Ankara, warmly received by Turkish President Erdogan, signals a thaw in Egypt-Turkey relations. This historic meeting, following a decade-long estrangement since 2013, marks a renewed partnership, with both nations acknowledging strong trade ties despite political rifts.

Lastly, the people of Lebanon confront lingering traumas and fears of renewed conflict amid ongoing economic and political strife. Haunted by memories of the 1975-1990 civil war and recent Beirut port explosion, the country faces heightened anxieties, notably fueled by potential renewed conflict with Israel, compounding their collective psychological distress amidst decades of corruption and mismanagement.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Ukraine and Saudi Arabia Reach ‘Mutually Beneficial’ Defence Agreement
Ukraine to Share Battlefield Expertise with Saudi Arabia Under New Defence Agreement
Trump Takes Center Stage at Saudi Arabia’s FII Miami Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Gulf States Explore Pipeline Routes to Bypass Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Iran Conflict Drives Saudi Arabia to Deepen Security Ties with Ukraine
Saudi Arabia Reviews Desert Ski Resort Plans with Cancellation of Key Building Contracts
Saudi Arabia Targets Business Hotel Shortfall with $1 Billion Development Push
Iran and Allied Forces Intensify Strikes on Energy Sites and Urban Areas Across Region
Ukraine and Saudi Arabia Formalise Defence Cooperation Agreement, Zelenskiy Announces
Saudi Arabia Reportedly Presses US to Intensify Operations Against Iran
Saudi Arabia Expands Maritime Network with Launch of Six New Shipping Services
Saudi Arabia Launches FII Summit Amid Heightened Focus on Global Stability and Investment Risks
Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN Secures First US Customer in Expansion of AI Capabilities
Saudi Arabia Calls on US to Seize Strategic Opportunity to Reshape the Middle East
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Investments Help Shape Silicon Valley’s Rise
Saudi Arabia Announces Passing of King Abdullah, Marking End of an Era
Saudi Arabia May Shift From Neutrality to Retaliation if Houthi Attacks Escalate, Experts Warn
UAE and Saudi Arabia Urge Decisive US Action on Iran as Regional Pressure Intensifies
Zelensky Visits Saudi Arabia After Offering Ukraine’s Drone Expertise
Saudi Arabia Pauses Ambitious Desert Ski Project Amid Strategic Reassessment
Trump Set for Palm Beach Return Following Saudi-Backed Summit in Miami
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Yanbu Oil Exports Toward Five Million Barrel Target
Report Highlights Saudi-US Security Discussions as Trump Administration Evaluates Iran Strategy
Saudi Arabia’s Humain Commits Three Billion Dollars to Elon Musk’s xAI in Strategic Technology Push
Saudi Arabia Signals Firm Shift in Iran Policy, Declares Coexistence No Longer Viable
Saudi Clubs Prepare Major Push to Sign Mohamed Salah Amid Growing Transfer Speculation
Saudi Arabia Rejects Claims It Seeks to Prolong Regional Conflict
Saudi Arabia Condemns Iranian Actions and Signals Firm Shift Toward Stronger Response
Saudi Arabia Reassesses Strategic Approach as Regional Tensions with Iran Intensify
Pakistan Reaffirms Strong Support for Saudi Arabia Following High-Level Visit
Saudi Arabia Expands Regional Trade Links by Opening New Land and Sea Routes to UAE
World Economic Forum Delays Saudi Conference as Regional Conflict Disrupts Global Agenda
Saudi Arabia and UAE Signal Potential Entry into Iran Conflict if Critical Infrastructure Is Targeted
Global Firms Accelerate Expansion into Saudi Arabia as Economic Reforms Gain Momentum
Global Labour Pressure Mounts as ILO Faces Calls to Reject Saudi Bid to Dismiss Migrant Worker Complaint
Gulf Powers Move Closer to Entering Iran Conflict as Regional Pressure Intensifies
Saudi Arabia Breaks Ranks with Regional Allies Over Response to Iran Escalation
Saudi Arabia Moves Closer to Direct Role as Iran Conflict Intensifies
World Economic Forum Postpones Jeddah Meeting Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Saudi Crown Prince Reportedly Urges Trump to Sustain Military Pressure on Iran
Trump to Deliver Keynote Address at Saudi-Backed Investment Summit in Miami Beach
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Press Ahead With Energy Agreements Despite Regional Conflict
Can Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu Port Replace Hormuz? Capacity Limits Test Critical Oil Lifeline
Saudi Arabia Detects Ballistic Missiles as Regional Tensions Escalate in Gulf
Saudi Aramco Reduces Oil Shipments to Asia for Second Consecutive Month
Saudi Aramco Reduces Oil Shipments to Asia for Second Consecutive Month
Saudi Arabia and UAE Push Ahead With Major Deals Despite Iran-Related Uncertainty
Formula One Cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Pakistan Signals Strategic Realignment Toward Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Tensions
Saudi Arabia Cuts Oil Shipments to Asia as Regional Conflict Disrupts Key Export Routes
×