HRH Crown Prince Receives Written Message from President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Jeddah — His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, has received a written message from President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, concerning the bilateral relations that connect the two friendly countries and peoples and means to develop them at all fields.

On behalf of Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, received the message at the ministry, when he received today Special Envoy of the Sri Lankan President, Minister of Environment of Sri Lanka Naseer Ahamed.

During the meeting, the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, and ways of enhancing them in various fields were discussed.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

KSrelief Continues to Distribute Relief Aid to those Affected by Floods in White Nile State, Sudan

Khartoum — King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continued to distribute relief aid to those affected by the floods in the Republic of Sudan.

These efforts come within the works of the Saudi aid airlift, which was directed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to support the brotherly Sudanese people after the torrential rains that swept a number of cities and states in Sudan.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Stock Exchange Main Index Ends Trading Lower at 12,526.11 Points

Riyadh — Saudi Stock Exchange’s main index ended trading higher here today, losing 65.63 points to close at 12,526.11 points.

The total value of the trading reported was SAR 5.8 billion, while the toll of shares traded was 137 million, divided into over 324,000 deals.

The Saudi Parallel Market Index (NOMU) ended the day gaining 131.74 points, to close at 21,763.02 points, with a valuation of SAR 39 million and an overall tally of more than 580,000 stocks traded and divided into as many as 2,705 deals.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Mawani and ZATCA Sign a Deal to Regulate Joint Activities at Jeddah Islamic Port

Riyadh — The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) have signed today a Service-Level Agreement (SLA) to regulate joint activities as well as create and execute service-level operations and automation mechanisms at Jeddah Islamic Port to optimize efficiency, increase productivity, and enhance the customer experience.

The deal was co-signed in the presence of Engineer Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi, ZATCA Governor, and Omar Bin Talal Hariri, Mawani President.

The agreement is a key chapter in the integrative collaboration between Mawani and ZATCA to define operational procedures and services that follow world-class operational standards under rules and regulations governing each entity’s activities in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS) to bolster public-private partnerships and position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub.

The deal, which will soon be rolled out across other ports, will be instrumental in supporting the Fasah platform in addition to streamlining operational efficiency and boosting competitiveness at Saudi ports.

The partnership also aims for evolving to regulate joint activities in ports, integrate roles and responsibilities, outline service level requirements and escalation mechanisms for both parties, specify means to tackle operational challenges, and develop and perform service-level operations to raise operational efficiency and consolidate integration between Mawani, ZATCA, and concerned stakeholders in future port operations.

The latest agreement comes as part of Mawani’s efforts to enhance the business environment of Saudi ports and realize its strategic goals of facilitating trade and achieving customer satisfaction besides driving economic diversification and creating an attractive investment climate.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

CEO of Saudi Fund for Development Receives Sri Lankan Minister of Environment

Riyadh– CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad received in Riyadh today Minister of Environment of Sri Lanka Naseer Ahamed, in the presence of Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pakeer Amza, and officials from both sides.

During the visit, the two sides discussed the development projects and programs financed by the SFD, which are being implemented in Sri Lanka, and the main challenges facing the implementation process and sustainable solutions.

The officials also valued the Kingdom’s efforts through SFD and its contributions and support for development projects in Sri Lanka by providing soft development loans, to contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Within “Noor Saudi Arabia” Volunteer Program, KSrelief Conducts 247 Cataract Operations in Morocco

Rabat– King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continued implementing the voluntary medical program to combat blindness and its causes in Taroudant, Morocco, within the “Noor Saudi Arabia” volunteer program.

KSrelief’s volunteer medical team examined, over the past two days, 1,600 cases, distributed 926 eyeglasses, and successfully performed 247 surgeries to remove cataracts.

This campaign is an extension of the projects related to combating blindness implemented by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the KSrelief, for low-income families in a number of brotherly and friendly countries.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Minister of Islamic Affairs Reviews Joint Cooperation Aspects with his Bahraini Counterpart

Riyadh — Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh met here today with Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments of the Kingdom of Bahrain Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Maawda, in the presence of the Ministry’s undersecretaries and a number of senior officials in the two ministries.

During the meeting, they reviewed the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in the areas of serving Islam and Muslims in the world, and discussed activating the memorandum of cooperation signed between the two ministries in the fields of Islamic affairs, training and qualifying imams and preachers, and implementing programs concerned with spreading moderation and addressing hate speech, extremism and terrorism.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi National Basketball Team to Face the Philippines in World Cup Qualifiers

Riyadh — The Saudi National Basketball Team will face its Philippine counterpart tomorrow in the Philippine capital, Manila, in its second match in the final stage of the Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

Coach of the Saudi National Basketball Team Mohammad Al-Kardani affirmed the team’s readiness to play the match and achieve the victory.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

KSrelief’s Masam Project Dismantles 1,167 Mines in Yemen During One Week

Riyadh — King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Project (Masam) for clearing mines in Yemen, dismantled, during the fourth week of August 2022, a total of 1,167 mines planted by the Houthi militia across Yemen, including 11 anti-personnel mines, 486 anti-tank mines, 662 unexploded ordnance and 8 explosive devices.

Since the beginning of the project, as many as 356,024 mines have been dismantled.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

OIC Secretary General Extends Condolences to Pakistan over Heavy Floods Victims

Jeddah — The Secretary General of Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, has expressed deep sorrow and offered sincere condolences to the government and people of Pakistan over the casualties, massive destruction of property and loss of life resulting from the floods.

He also appealed to all Member States, Islamic humanitarian organizations and the international community at large for emergency assistance to mitigate the suffering of the affected populations.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Federation of Saudi Chambers Organizes Saudi-Thai Business Forum

Riyadh — The Federation of Saudi Chambers will organize tomorrow the Saudi-Thai Business Forum, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand Jurin Laksanawisit, under the patronage of Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi.

The forum aims to review and discuss the investment opportunities available in both countries, encourage the commercial partnerships between the Saudi and Thai business sectors, sign agreements and discuss prospects for cooperation in the targeted economic sectors.

As many as 150 representatives of Thai companies and a number of Saudi business owners will participate in the forum.

It is worth mentioning that the volume of trade exchange between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Thailand from 2017 to 2021 amounted to about SAR 130 billion, and in 2021 it amounted to about SAR 26.8 billion, which is an increase of 29% compared to the previous year.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Bahrain Expresses Concern over Situation in Libyan Capital, Tripoli

Manama — The Kingdom of Bahrain has expressed its deep concern and regret over the armed clashes that took place yesterday in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, which threaten the security and safety of Libyan citizens and expose the country to great danger.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain called on the Libyan parties to stop armed clashes, prevent bloodshed and any further escalation, in addition to pursuing political dialogue to resolve the differences between the two parties to the conflict, preserve the higher interests of Libya, and achieve the aspirations of its people for peace, development and prosperity.

The ministry reiterated Bahrain’s position in support of Libya in a manner that preserves its sovereignty, security and stability.

Source: Saudi Press Agency