Latest news with #SaudiPressAgency
Argaam
12 hours ago
- Business
- Argaam
Madinah receives over 18M visitors in 2024
The tourism sector in Madinah has witnessed a remarkable growth in the number of visitors over the past three years, with the holy city receiving more than 18 million visitors in 2024, compared to 14.1 million visitors in 2023 and 8.2 million visitors in 2022. According to a report issued by the Madinah Chamber, the activities of the accommodation sector, travel agencies, and tour organization saw an increase of 18.7% year-on-year in 2024, state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. The report highlighted the importance of the tourism sector in Madinah in supporting economic growth and boosting GDP through tourism spending on accommodation, transportation, shopping, and other services, in addition to creating job opportunities in the sector's activities and achieving sustainable economic diversification.
Arab News
18 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Industrial cities in Saudi Arabia's Qassim region hit 77% occupancy rate, official reveals
RIYADH: Industrial cities in Saudi Arabia's Qassim region are performing at occupancy rates of up to 77 percent, with 158 factories currently in operation, reflecting strong growth and a supportive business environment, according to a top official. During a meeting organized by the the area's chamber of commerce, the Kingdom's Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Affairs Khalil Ibrahim bin Salamah explained that the value of industrial investments in the region during the first quarter of 2025 reached SR700 million ($186 million), with the city of Buraydah accounting for the largest share, the Saudi Press Agency reported. This reflects the Kingdom's National Industrial Strategy, introduced in October 2022, which aims to increase the number of factories in the Kingdom to approximately 36,000 by 2035. This approach is designed to attract investment, scale up local production, and strengthen non-oil exports. The SPA statement said: 'The meeting aimed to introduce the most prominent ministerial services and programs and discuss the sector's aspirations to achieve continued growth in development and investment.' It added: 'The meeting addressed several topics related to the industrial sector, including standard incentives for the industrial sector, which enhance the competitive sustainability of the industrial sector in the Kingdom.' The statement further revealed that the assembly addressed the environmental impact of industrial facilities and presented solutions to help improve efficiency and quality. It also included a review and introduction to the Factories of the Future Program, as well as the process of converting these facilities to adopt modern manufacturing practices, automation, and digitization, which directly contribute to the development of the industrial sector in the Kingdom. The gathering also saw a review of the Industrial Links Program, which connects manufacturers with major projects to achieve the goals of the national strategy for increasing local content. The Qassim region experienced 25 percent growth in its business sector over the past seven years, reflecting increased economic activity and contributing to the Kingdom's goal of balanced development, the Ministry of Commerce reported in a post on its official X account in May. The number of commercial records in the central region rose from 68,000 in 2018 to 85,000 by the end of the first quarter of this year, the ministry said at the time. In 2024, Qassim Municipality announced that the region had successfully concluded 711 investment contracts, with a total value exceeding SR740 million. The municipality also provided 1050 diverse investment opportunities aimed at supporting economic development and enhancing the quality of life in the region. The increase comes as the Kingdom pushes ahead with its economic diversification strategy, aiming to increase the private sector's share of the gross domestic product from 40 percent to 65 percent by 2030.
Filipino Times
21 hours ago
- General
- Filipino Times
Saudi Arabia registers over 700 new archaeological sites
Saudi Arabia has officially registered 744 new archaeological sites, the Heritage Commission confirmed. This brings the total number of documented sites in the National Antiquities Register to 10,061 across the Kingdom. According to the Saudi Press Agency, these newly registered sites are spread across multiple regions, led by Riyadh with 253 sites, followed by Madinah with 167, Najran with 86, Tabuk with 72, Aseer with 64, Qassim with 30, Jazan with 23, Makkah with 11, the Eastern Region with 13, Hail with 13, Al-Jouf with 10, and the Northern Borders with 2 sites. This large-scale registration aligns with the Antiquities, Museums, and Urban Heritage Law, established through a Royal Decree, which authorizes the commission's CEO to officially list sites of heritage value. By expanding the register, the commission strengthens efforts to protect, manage, and preserve sites that reflect Saudi Arabia's diverse cultural and historical identity. Authorities stressed that safeguarding heritage is a shared responsibility and called on residents and citizens to report any sites not yet documented through the Balagh platform, the commission's official social media channels, or by contacting the Unified Security Operations Center at 911.
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi, Slovenian FMs Discuss Regional Developments
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call with his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon, the Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday. During the call, they discussed regional developments and their repercussions on the region, SPA said.
Leaders
a day ago
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi 100 Brands Returns to Paris Fashion Week at Tranoï Showcase
The Saudi Fashion Commission will make a spectacular return to Paris Fashion Week 2025, showcasing unparalleled talent through the Saudi 100 Brands program at the Tranoï Showcase, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Running from June 24-27, 2025, the fashion show will take place at an exclusive showroom at the famous La Samaritaine department store. This exclusive fashion show aims to highlight the creativity of 11 Saudi male and female designers, who will display their 2026 Spring/Summer collections. Furthermore, the show, organized by the Saudi Fashion Commission and the Saudi 100 Brands, aims to serve as a platform for cultural exchange through exhibiting modern Saudi fashion, in line with a long term strategy to establish the Kingdom's status as a pioneer in the global fashion industry. On this occasion, the CEO of the Saudi Fashion Commission, Burak Cakmak, said that the return of the Saudi 100 Brands to Paris Fashion Week underscores the Commission's commitment to showcasing Saudi creativity on the highest levels. He added that the Commission introduces Saudi designers to global audiences, but also deepens the Kingdom's ties to the international fashion community, further advancing Saudi Arabia's role in shaping the future of fashion and sponsoring meaningful global partnerships. Meanwhile, the CEO of Tranoï Showcase, Boris Provost, noted that Saudi fashion is gaining increased momentum in Tranoï owing to the creative potential of the Saudi 100 Brands program. He also praised the showcase's role in introducing emerging talents on a global scale, and its collaboration with the Saudi Fashion Commission which perfectly embodies the mission of providing an international stage for a new generation of designers in Paris, the world's fashion capital. The Saudi 100 Brands program is one of the Saudi Fashion Commission's strategic initiatives that aim to support Saudi fashion brands and contribute to developing a sustainable local fashion industry. Short link : Post Views: 13
