Diriyah to see emission, energy consumption cut

Diriyah to see emission, energy consumption cut
Diriyah Co. has announced the signing of a partnership with City Cool, a fully-owned subsidiary of the Al-Rajhi Holding Group. X/@DiriyahCo
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Updated 21 March 2024
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Diriyah to see emission, energy consumption cut

Diriyah to see emission, energy consumption cut

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah is poised to significantly cut energy consumption and emissions thanks to a new agreement with a leading cooling solutions provider.

Diriyah Co. has announced the signing of a partnership with City Cool, a fully-owned subsidiary of the Al-Rajhi Holding Group, with the aim to establish a cutting-edge air station and distribution network, capable of delivering a maximum cooling capacity of 72,500 refrigeration tonnes.

City Cool said that it has entered into a 25-year build, own, operate, and transfer infrastructure, or BOOT agreement. with Diriyah Co. to construct an advanced plant and supply chain. The subsidiary emphasized that this initiative significantly aligns with the Kingdom’s sustainability objectives.

CEO of Diriyah Co. Group Jerry Inzerillo said that the agreement represents a significant achievement within the framework to encourage investment in various fields, with the aim of enhancing comprehensive and sustainable solutions that improve the quality of life for citizens and visitors to “the Kingdom's jewel.”

He added: “Signing such an agreement aims to provide a healthier life in Diriyah by reducing the carbon footprint, which is a fundamental principle in all our projects, through focusing on energy efficiency, reducing water consumption, and enhancing quality of life through all possible means.”

Abdul Salam Al-Moubayed, CEO of City Cool, was quoted by the Saudi Press Agency as saying that they are proud to be part of the Diriyah project.

“Our common goal is to preserve the environment and inject investments in this field to meet the demands for cooling solutions, especially with the expansion of projects in Diriyah and in the Kingdom as a whole, in line with Vision 2030,” he said.

In its report, SPA pointed out that this agreement represents one of the largest partnership contracts signed by the company, underscoring its commitment as a developer to leverage its expertise and resources to reshape and plan Diriyah and transform it into a nurturing ground for culture, entertainment, education, and arts on a global scale, in harmony with the architectural design and identity of the area.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 12,149

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 12,149
Updated 39 sec ago
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 12,149

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 12,149

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Wednesday, losing 44.45 points, or 0.36 percent, to close at 12,149.19.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.06 billion ($1.61 billion), as 90 of the listed stocks advanced, while 138 retreated.   

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased by 5.94 points, or 0.39 percent, to close at 1,526.38.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu dipped, losing 278.70 points, or 0.88 percent, to close at 31,278.91. This comes as 40 of the listed stocks advanced while 44 retreated.

The best-performing stock of the day was Etihad Atheeb Telecommunication Co., with its share price surging by 3.36 percent to SR116.80.

Other top performers included Sumou Real Estate Co., which saw its share price rise by 3.31 percent to SR40.60, and Dallah Healthcare Co., which saw a 3.3 percent increase to SR162.60. 

Saudi Real Estate Co. saw its share price surge by 3.25 percent to reach SR25.40, while Seera Group Holding saw an increase of 3.13 percent to reach SR23.76.

The worst performer of the day was Jahez International Co. for Information System Technology, whose share price fell 7.16 percent to SR31.75.

Anaam International Holding Group also saw a decline of 7.04 percent, with its shares dropping to SR1.32, while Banan Real Estate Co. experienced a 4.87 percent decrease, bringing its shares down to SR7.03.

Moreover, Zamil Industrial Investment Co. saw a decline of 3.94 percent, with its share price dropping to SR31.70, while Acwa Power Co. experienced a 3.23 percent decrease, bringing its share price down to SR383.20.

On the parallel market Nomu, the top performer was Enma AlRawabi Co., with its share price surging by 12.21 percent to reach SR23.90.

In second place was Molan Steel Co., which saw a 10.98 percent surge in terms of share price to SR3.64, followed by Purity for Information Technology Co., which witnessed an 8.63 percent surge in its share price to reach SR21.90.

Nomu’s worst two performers for the day were Leen Alkhair Trading Co., whose share price dipped by 9.83 to reach SR23.40, and Alwasail Industrial Co.’s price dropped by 7.32 percent to reach SR3.04.

Gas Arabian Services Co. followed with a dip of 7.12 percent in its share price, reaching SR18.


OPEC slashes global oil demand growth forecast

OPEC slashes global oil demand growth forecast
Updated 11 min 13 sec ago
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OPEC slashes global oil demand growth forecast

OPEC slashes global oil demand growth forecast
  • OPEC also cut the global demand growth outlook for 2025 to 1.4 million bpd.

RIYADH: The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries on Wednesday revised the global oil demand growth forecast for 2024 to 1.6 million barrels per day down from 1.8 million bpd in the previous report.

Total world oil demand is expected to reach 105.5 million bpd in the fourth quarter of 2024 and 103.8 million bpd in the full year of 2024.

OPEC also cut the global demand growth outlook for 2025 to 1.4 million bpd. Total world oil demand should stand at 105.3 bpd in 2025.

“Growth is expected to be bolstered by strong air travel demand and healthy road mobility, including on-road diesel and trucking, as well as healthy industrial, construction and agricultural activities in non-OECD countries,” OPEC said.

OPEC+ earlier this month delayed its plan to start raising output until April 2025 against a backdrop of falling prices.

OPEC had kept the 2024 outlook unchanged until August, a view it had first taken in July 2023.

According to OPEC, the downgrade for this year owes to more bearish data received in third quarter while the projections for next year relate to the potential impact that will arise from US tariffs.


Qatar’s real estate market shows resilience with luxury and office sectors leading growth

Qatar’s real estate market shows resilience with luxury and office sectors leading growth
Updated 11 December 2024
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Qatar’s real estate market shows resilience with luxury and office sectors leading growth

Qatar’s real estate market shows resilience with luxury and office sectors leading growth

RIYADH: Qatar’s real estate market is showing resilience amid shifting dynamics, with a clear divergence between the performance of luxury and standard offerings, a new report showed. 

Over the past 12 months, villa rents declined by 7.5 percent to an average of 15,085 Qatari riyals ($4,139) per month, while luxury apartment rents rose by 2.3 percent to 11,200 riyals per month, according to the latest Qatar Real Estate Market Review from Knight Frank. 

The market has been evolving in recent years, driven by government reforms and infrastructure investments aimed at fostering long-term economic growth and diversification.

The government’s introduction of property-linked residency schemes and designated freehold zones for expatriates has spurred activity in the residential market. 

For apartments, this has meant stronger demand for premium locations like the Pearl Island and Lusail, reinforcing their status as highly coveted destinations for both living and investment. 

Apartment rentals in Qatar’s premium locations have emerged as a key growth driver, reflecting shifting tenant preferences. Areas such as West Bay and the Marina District have become hotspots for expatriates and professionals, with rental increases of 9.6 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively. 

In contrast, villa rents have continued to decline, with key neighborhoods like Nuaija and West Bay Lagoon seeing even steeper drops of 20 percent and 9 percent, respectively. This reflects a supply glut and shifting tenant priorities toward more compact, urban living. 

Price office spaces 

Despite some pressures in the residential sector, Qatar’s office market is experiencing growth, supported by demand for prime office spaces. Grade A office rents have risen by 3.2 percent over the past 12 months, driven by increased activity from government ministries, state-owned enterprises, and multinational firms. 

Prime districts such as Lusail have reported a 3 percent annual increase in rents, with rates reaching 92 riyals per sq. meter per month. West Bay remained a leading destination, commanding rents as high as 150 riyals per sq. meter for premium spaces. 

This growth aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, the report stated, adding that the vision aims to foster a sustainable and diverse economy, with plans to double the size of the economy on track, supported by an expected increase in government revenues to 2014 levels this year. 

The report noted that an emphasis on high-quality, contemporary spaces continues to drive tenants. away from secondary locations, where rents have dropped to 50 riyals to 70 riyals per sq. meter. This shift reflects the broader “flight to quality” trend, with tenants increasingly prioritizing modern facilities in central business hubs. 

Hospitality sector 

The Qatari hospitality market continued to expand, driven by a series of major developments and a growing influx of tourists. 

The country’s efforts to diversify its tourism industry have led to the creation of new attractions such as the Qatar National Museum, Meryal Water Park, and the upcoming $5.5 billion Simaisma theme park. 

“Qatar’s tourism sector has solidified its position as a vital driver of economic growth, achieving an impressive 31 percent growth in 2023 to reach a historic high of 81.2 billion riyals, which equates to 10.3 percent of the gross domestic product,” the report stated. 

This growth has fueled the hospitality market, with more than 1,300 new hotel rooms added in 2023 alone. The report noted that the quality room supply is expected to grow further, with projections reaching 47,290 keys by 2026. 


Saudi-Turkish Business Forum explores export opportunities across 10 sectors

Saudi-Turkish Business Forum explores export opportunities across 10 sectors
Updated 11 December 2024
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Saudi-Turkish Business Forum explores export opportunities across 10 sectors

Saudi-Turkish Business Forum explores export opportunities across 10 sectors

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Turkiye explored export opportunities across 10 economic sectors in a meeting involving business groups from both countries.

The Saudi-Turkish Business Forum, which took place in Riyadh, witnessed the participation of a delegation from the country’s Exporters Assembly, comprising 40 Turkish companies, along with several firms from the Kingdom.

The Turkish delegation at the event organized by the Federation of Saudi Chambers also included organizations operating in several industries, such as mining, chemicals, food, and services, as well as iron, metal products, electricity, and electronics.

Additional firms included those operating in equipment, machinery, grains, and legumes, as well as oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This comes as the trade volume between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye reached SR25.4 billion ($6.75 billion) in 2023, achieving a growth rate of 15.5 percent.

While Saudi exports to Turkiye accounted for SR15.6 billion, Turkish imports to the Kingdom reached SR9.8 billion.

The visit by the Turkiye Exporters Assembly seeks to unveil promising prospects in the Kingdom as the Eurasian nation seeks to increase its exports worldwide.

Last year, Turkiye’s exports totaled $255.8 billion, and the country aims to increase this figure to $400 billion by 2028, working closely with exporters to accelerate the growth of foreign trade.

In November, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye deepened commercial ties by signing 10 cooperation agreements at an event in Istanbul, advancing strategic initiatives across diverse sectors.  

The Saudi-Turkish Business Forum, taking place at the time, spotlighted opportunities for joint ventures in agriculture, food, and tourism, along with potential collaborations in advanced manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure.

Other key areas at the time included technology, innovation, and logistics, SPA reported.  

Also organized by the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkiye, the event attracted over 450 companies and several government agencies from both nations at the time.

Speaking at the time, Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat shed light on how the country aims to raise the volume of its bilateral trade with the Kingdom to $30 billion in the medium and long term, and diversify its fields, especially tourism, health, infrastructure, information technology, and the defense industry.  


Saudi POS spending reaches $3.78bn, driven by surge in utilities and jewelry

Saudi POS spending reaches $3.78bn, driven by surge in utilities and jewelry
Updated 11 December 2024
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Saudi POS spending reaches $3.78bn, driven by surge in utilities and jewelry

Saudi POS spending reaches $3.78bn, driven by surge in utilities and jewelry
  • Spending on public utilities rose by 11.5% to SR63.32 million
  • Total POS transactions in the Kingdom reached SR14.22 billion, a 0.7% decrease from the previous week

RIYADH: Saudis have increased their spending on utilities and jewelry during the first week of December, while food and beverage sales showed a slight decline, according to the latest data from the Saudi Central Bank. 

In the week from Dec. 1 to 7, spending on public utilities rose by 11.5 percent to SR63.32 million ($16.85 million), driven by higher demand for essential services. The sector also saw a rise in transactions, which climbed 4.9 percent to SR803,000. 

Data from the weekly point-of-sale reports showed that jewelry sales recorded the second-largest growth, rising 8.2 percent to SR288.13 million, followed by an uptick in spending on construction materials, which grew by 4.4 percent to SR382 million. 

Total POS transactions in the Kingdom reached SR14.22 billion, a 0.7 percent decrease from the previous week. 

This comes as spending on food and beverages experienced a modest decline. Expenditures fell by 0.8 percent to SR2.20 billion, still maintaining the largest share of total POS value. Restaurant and cafe spending also dipped by 1.4 percent to SR1.97 billion, representing the second-largest category by value. 

Certain sectors saw positive growth, such as electronics, which rose by 2.1 percent to SR221.30 million, and miscellaneous goods and services, which jumped by 3.5 percent to SR1.76 billion. 

Telecommunications spending declined by 3.1 percent, amounting to SR138.84 million. Health sector spending remained relatively flat with a 0.6 percent increase, reaching SR867.53 million. Furniture expenditures grew by 1.5 percent to SR348.52 million, marking the second-smallest increase. 

Riyadh accounted for the largest share of POS transactions, making up 34.7 percent of the total with SR4.94 billion in spending, though this was down 1.1 percent compared to the previous week. 

Jeddah saw a 3.1 percent increase, reaching SR1.92 billion, while Dammam recorded a slight decline of 0.1 percent to SR719.3 million. 

Among smaller cities, Tabuk saw the steepest drop in spending, down 5.1 percent to SR281 million, followed by Hail and Abha, which declined by 2.9 percent to SR234.71 million and 1.3 percent to SR166.55 million, respectively. 

In terms of transaction volumes, Makkah and Jeddah experienced the most significant increases, with transaction numbers up 3.8 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively. Makkah recorded 8.97 million transactions, while Jeddah saw 26.31 million. 

Hail and Tabuk reported the largest decreases, with transactions falling by 1.5 percent 3.93 million and 1.1 percent 4.82 million, respectively.