Category: General

Aden, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) provided today the offices of the Yemeni Ministry of Health in a number of directorates in Aden Governorate, Yemen, with medicines and various medical supplies, in cooperation with the National Drug Supply Program.

This comes within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts, represented by the KSrelief, to provide medical support to hospitals and health centers in the Republic of Yemen.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, The Digital Cooperation Organization today welcomed the joining of the National University for Science and Technology in Pakistan to the organization as an official observer.

This announcement is based on the inaugural visit of Secretary General Dima Al-Yahya to Pakistan in November 2021, as part of the organization’s efforts to empower the youth, women and the entrepreneurship community, and a continuation of the mission to allow digital prosperity for all.

The organization will work with the university to support sharing the capabilities of research and innovation in Pakistan and other member countries in the organization, in addition to focusing on digital economy initiatives that support the youth, entrepreneurs, and women at the international level, where the organization represents more than 500 million people, including 70% as youth under the age of 35.

University Rector Javed Mahmood Bukhari said: “We are proud of the university as a new member at the Digital Cooperation Organization that brings together the best Pakistani talents and minds to enhance the digital world that we live in, and that the connection of our students in the viable digital network is an affirmation to the technical aspirations of Pakistan, and will provide new job opportunities for our youth and graduates. The university looks forwards to further cooperation with members of the organization to bridge the digital gap.”

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, The Saudi delegation, headed by Vice Minister of Commerce and CEO of the National Competitiveness Center Dr. Iman Al-Mutairi, currently on a visit to the Netherlands, continues holding meetings and joint work session with the Dutch side to enhance economic partnership and cooperation between the two countries under the Saudi Vision 2030.

The visit agenda included meetings with Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Commissioner of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency Dr. Hilde van der Meer, and Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb.

The delegates moved to Rotterdam to continue join work sessions hosted by the Foreign Investment Agency with the participation of major Dutch companies, during which both sides focused on promising opportunities and cooperation and partnership aspects in the fields of waste management, e-health, production of hydrogen, water and agriculture.

The delegates concluded the visit today with a field tour along with Director of the International Affairs at Rotterdam Port René van der Plas to review that Dutch experiment in the fields of port planning and development and their role in facilitating the commercial activities, increasing the efficincy of logistic services, in addition to checking on the vocational training academy affiliated with the port.

The Saudi delegation includes leaders from the ministries of energy, investment, and environment, water and agriculture, Saudi Ports Authority, General Authority for Foreign Trade, Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, the National Competitiveness Center, Jeddah Islamic Port, and Federation of Saudi Chambers, in addition to representatives of top national companies, such as: Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC).

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, Saudi Stock Exchange’s main index ended trading lower here today, losing 543.78 points to close at 12,835.30 points.

The total value of the trading reported was SAR 10 billion, while the toll of shares traded was over 209 million, divided into over 485,000 deals.

The Saudi Parallel Equity Market Index (NOMU) ended the day losing 27.38 points, to close at 22,646.74 points, with a valuation of SAR 31 million and an overall tally of more than 429,000 stocks traded and divided into as many as 2,171 deals.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) issued the 15th annual report on the insurance market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The report highlights the performance of the insurance sector, financial results and its contribution to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product for the year 2021.

According to the report, the insurance sector grew by 8.4% in 2021, with total Written Premium SAR 42 billion, whereas Protection and Saving and Property insurance classes achieved notable increase in written premiums.

Furthermore, the report indicated that the contribution of the insurance sector to non-oil GDP decreased slightly by -0.01% to reach 1.91%, and the overall loss ratio increased to reach 83.4% in 2021 compared to 76.7% in 2020.

The Net Loss (after zakat & tax) for the insurance sector reached SAR 47 million in 2021 compared to a Net Profit of SAR 1.38 billion in the previous year. The increase in investment income helped offset the impact of operational losses.

Additionally, the report discussed regulatory developments in the insurance sector, including the amendments of certain articles of the Cooperative Insurance Company Control Law, the issuance of a number of regulations and the development of several insurance products. The report noted a 2% increase in Saudization in 2021 to reach 77%.

The Insurance Market Report 2021 is available at SAMA’s website (https://www.sama.gov.sa/en-us/insurance/pages/publications.aspx).

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Makkah, The Muslim World League (MWL) condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a security point in North Sinai in Egypt, which resulted in the death and injuries of a number of Egyptian soldiers.

MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, condemned this heinous criminal attack, which confirms the urgent need to continue the joint international effort, on various fronts, to defeat extremism and terrorism and eliminate their sources, reiterating that these treacherous attacks will only increase Egypt’s determination to confront and eradicate terrorism.

Al-Issa stressed, on behalf of MWL and its global councils, bodies and institutions, full solidarity with Egypt in its war against terrorism and anything that would undermine or threaten its security and stability, expressing his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and the Egyptian leadership, government and people, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, Under the patronage of Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef, Vice Minister for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer inaugurated a discussion panel at Investing in Africa Mining Conference (Mining INDABA 2022) to review investment opportunities and the potential of the infrastructure and legislation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which make it the first global destination for investment in the mining sector.

The panel saw the participation of several representatives of government institutions that participated within the Invest Saudi pavilion, where Jamil Al-Ghamdi from National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) provided a general outlook on the targets and achievements of the program, while Haya Al-Qahtani from the Ministry of Investment referred to the role of the Invest Saudi program, reviewing the great potential and solid infrastructure that make the Kingdom one of the best investment environments in the world.

Jawaher Al-Dighither of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources spoke about the top elements attracting exploration and mining efforts in the Kingdom, while Mustafa Makki of the Saudi Geological Survey highlighted the importance of the data resulting from geological surveys and delivered a presentation on the national geological information base and the top minerals available in the Kingdom. Abdulrahman Al-Bloushi of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources reviewed promising investment opportunities in the Kingdom, which includes several mining locations in various regions.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its participation, seeks to highlight its efforts in developing the mining sector that achieved revenues exceeding SAR 727 million (USD 194 million) in 2021 and succeeded in attracting investments worth over SAR 30 billion (USD 8 billion).

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Kabul, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed yesterday 550 food baskets to the neediest groups in Afghanistan, benefiting 550 families.

This aid comes as part of the relief and humanitarian efforts provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the KSrelief, to the affected countries and peoples around the world.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Beijing, About 40 people were injured when a passenger plane caught fire at the Jiangbei International Airport in Chongqing, China (southwest China), TASS quoted the airport’s statement.

“All 113 passengers and nine crew members on board the aircraft have been safely evacuated. About 40 people were slightly injured, they were taken to medical facilities where they were treated,” the airport said in a statement on WeiBo.

The incident happened around 08:09 local time – during takeoff, the aircraft skidded off the runway and caught fire.

The aircraft was reportedly damaged as a result.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

London, The UK Home Office has announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain will join other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states with electronic visa waiver status, as of June 1, 2022, which will contribute to deepening the partnership and strengthening diplomatic relations and economic prosperity.

In a statement issued today, the UK Home Office affirmed that “an electronic visa waiver allows the holder to travel to the UK without obtaining a visa provided they complete an online waiver for each visit. A small fee will be applied, and it is quicker than applying for a visa as there is no need to provide biometric information (photo and fingerprints), attend a visa application center or hand in your passport in advance of travel.”

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said that “This visa waiver for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will better connect the people of our countries and boost economic prosperity. The electronic visa waiver is a quick, digital alternative to the regular visit visa and ensures all the necessary security checks are carried out in advance of travel. The visa improvements announced today will provide greater security for our citizens while making it easier and cheaper for visitors from the GCC to travel here for leisure and business.”

For her part, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said that “this visa waiver will strengthen our relationships with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, making it easier for visitors from the Gulf to come to the UK. Our friendships with both countries are of great importance, built on shared priorities such as trade, investment and security.”

It is noteworthy that eligible individuals can provide notification of travel with an electronic visa waiver up to three months before travel and as late as 48 hours before travel.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Dhahran, The Saudi Arabian Oil Company “Aramco” is exploring further collaboration with Thailand’s national oil company PTT, as it expands its downstream presence in Asia. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding at a ceremony in Bangkok on May 11.

The companies aim to strengthen cooperation across crude oil sourcing and the marketing of refining and petrochemical products and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Other potential areas of activity include blue and green hydrogen and various clean energy initiatives.

Aramco’s Vice President Sales, Trading and Supply Planning Ibrahim Al-Buainain said: “Today represents an important step forward as we deepen and broaden this relationship to achieve greater cooperation across a wide range of activities, from sourcing crude oil and marketing refining and petrochemical products and LNG, to exploring blue and green hydrogen and progressing other clean energy initiatives.”

PTT President & Chief Executive Officer Auttapol Rerkpiboon said: “Today marks a significant milestone for PTT and Aramco as we look to the future and extend our collaboration beyond conventional energy. It also reflects our ongoing commitment to security of supply as we embrace the energy transition.”

Disathat Panyarachun, PTT Senior Executive Vice President, International Trading Business Unit, said: “PTT and Aramco have built strong ties around the supply and trading of crude oil and other products. Extending our collaboration across the value chain to include emerging decarbonization initiatives is a great opportunity to strengthen our relationship and foster further business growth. This also aligns with our ‘green and clean’ strategy which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Source: Saudi Press Agency