Gulf leaders congratulate Saudi leadership for organizing successful Hajj

Gulf leaders congratulate Saudi leadership for organizing successful Hajj
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
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Updated 08 June 2025
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Gulf leaders congratulate Saudi leadership for organizing successful Hajj

Gulf leaders congratulate Saudi leadership for organizing successful Hajj
  • Leaders from UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait commend King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

RIYADH: Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council nations have congratulated the Saudi leadership on successfully managing and organizing the Hajj pilgrimage, which nearly 1.4 million Muslims have undertaken since Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received on Sunday congratulatory messages from the UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar, and Emir Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia has employed artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to manage this year's Muslim pilgrimage, one of the world's largest annual gatherings.

The Kingdom's authorities provided over 1 million Muslim pilgrims with essential services during the Hajj, including water, food, accommodation, transportation, and healthcare at various holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.


Riyadh deputy governor reviews latest development projects

Riyadh deputy governor reviews latest development projects
Updated 6 sec ago
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Riyadh deputy governor reviews latest development projects

Riyadh deputy governor reviews latest development projects

RIYADH: Riyadh Deputy Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, accompanied by Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, toured the streets of Riyadh in a self-driving vehicle on his way to King Khalid International Airport. Last month, the Transport General Authority launched the first phase of self-driving vehicle services in several locations in Riyadh, aiming to advance smart and sustainable mobility.

The deputy governor, along with Al-Jasser, toured the airport operations control center. He received a detailed explanation about the center’s pivotal role in making real-time decisions in cooperation with all bodies operating at the airport, with the objective of enhancing operational flow (to and from the airport) and improving the passenger experience by leveraging the latest artificial intelligence systems.


Qassim’s date industry expansion under study

Qassim’s date industry expansion under study
Updated 22 min 19 sec ago
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Qassim’s date industry expansion under study

Qassim’s date industry expansion under study

BURAIDAH: Delegates from the International Date Council recently visited the Qassim region where they surveyed the region’s best practices in production and marketing, as well as efforts to expand the industry.

They toured the food city in Unaizah and examined international export efforts, in addition to reviewing initiatives that support investment and the development of the private sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The delegates participated in events of the Unaizah International Dates Season, which is a marketing and investment platform that brings together producers and investors.

They also attended the Buraidah Dates Carnival and auction to explore how local producers are developing the industry, the SPA reported.


Saudi health minister participates in Saudi-Australian Business Forum meeting

Saudi health minister participates in Saudi-Australian Business Forum meeting
Updated 21 August 2025
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Saudi health minister participates in Saudi-Australian Business Forum meeting

Saudi health minister participates in Saudi-Australian Business Forum meeting
  • Health Holding Co. and the National Unified Procurement Co. signed agreements with major Australian companies specializing in medical diagnostics and clinical research
  • Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel said these agreements represent a significant step in expanding health cooperation between the two countries

SYDNEY: Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel attended a meeting hosted by the Saudi-Australian Business Forum in Sydney, also attended by leaders from the health and innovation sectors.

During the event, the Health Holding Co. and the National Unified Procurement Co. signed agreements with major Australian companies specializing in medical diagnostics and clinical research.

Al-Jalajel said these agreements represent a significant step in expanding health cooperation between the two countries.

The partnerships will focus on developing integrated healthcare solutions and clinical research in genomics and biotechnology, which will enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional hub for advanced medical research, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The minister’s participation in the meeting was part of an official tour of Australia, which also included visits to Melbourne and Canberra, aimed at strengthening health partnerships and supporting investments in medical innovation and scientific research.


Saudi Arabia marks World Entrepreneurs’ Day

Saudi Arabia marks World Entrepreneurs’ Day
Updated 21 August 2025
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Saudi Arabia marks World Entrepreneurs’ Day

Saudi Arabia marks World Entrepreneurs’ Day
  • Number of small and medium-sized enterprises has more than doubled from 429,000 in 2016 to more than 1.2 million
  • Innovation hackathon initiative provides a platform for young men and women to develop creative solutions for labor market challenges

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development marked World Entrepreneurs’ Day, observed annually on Aug. 21, by highlighting its commitment to enhancing the work environment and empowering youth and entrepreneurs through various initiatives that support Saudi Vision 2030.

The number of small and medium-sized enterprises has more than doubled from 429,000 in 2016 to more than 1.2 million, reflecting the ministry’s success in supporting entrepreneurs and expanding self-employment opportunities.

The ministry has implemented several key programs to achieve its goals. An innovation hackathon initiative provides a platform for young men and women to develop creative solutions for labor market challenges.

Additionally, the Youth Development Strategy, launched in 2024, includes more than 20 initiatives to qualify and empower young people, leading to the establishment of the General Administration for Youth Development and a professional certificate for youth work.

The ministry’s social security empowerment program has been highly successful, achieving a 33.7 percent empowerment rate for beneficiaries by qualifying and supporting 23,394 individuals in the first quarter of 2025. 


Saudi crown prince discusses situation in Palestine with Egyptian president

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in NEOM on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in NEOM on Thursday. (SPA)
Updated 49 min 49 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince discusses situation in Palestine with Egyptian president

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in NEOM on Thursday. (SPA)

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the situation in Palestine and other regional developments with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Thursday.

During a meeting at NEOM Palace, the two leaders also discussed relations between their countries, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

El-Sisi was visiting the Kingdom on a private visit and left NEOM later on in the day, SPA added.