Saudi Arabia participates in GCC finance, municipal affairs meetings in Qatar
Ministers review topics related to enhancing economic cooperation
Updated 30 May 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan headed the Kingdom’s delegation at the 121st meeting of the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Thursday, in Qatar’s capital Doha.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Qatari Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, with the participation of other Gulf finance ministers and the GCC’s Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministers reviewed a number of topics related to enhancing financial and economic cooperation between the GCC countries.
His Excellency the Saudi Minister of Finance, Mr. Mohammed Aljadaan @MAAljadaan, heads the Kingdom's delegation participating in the 121st meeting of the GCC Financial & Economic Cooperation Committee, held in Doha Qatar.
The committee also reviewed recommendations submitted to it by the Undersecretaries of Ministries of Finance Committee, and the latest developments from the Secretariat General.
The ministers discussed the findings of the GCC Customs Union Authority in activating its work and granting it the necessary powers to carry out its tasks, in accordance with best practices that support completing the authority’s requirements.
Al-Budaiwi said the committee played “a major and important role in elevating cooperation and joint integration among the GCC countries in the field of financial and economic cooperation.”
سُررت اليوم بلقاء إخواني وزراء المالية الخليجيين في الاجتماع الـ(121) للجنة التعاون المالي والاقتصادي التابعة لمجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية، وناقشنا خلاله سبل تعزيز التعاون المالي والاقتصادي لما فيه مصلحة المنطقة.
— محمد عبدالله عبدالعزيز الجدعان | Mohammed Aljadaan (@MAAljadaan) May 30, 2024
He added: “The GCC countries have expanded in the economic, industrial, innovation and artificial intelligence aspects, which represents a qualitative shift that carries many promising investment opportunities, given their great potential represented in their ambitious people, young population and natural resources such as oil and gas, and their orientation toward a sustainable and diversified economy that supports the private sector and empowers the youth.”
He added that this promise came from the implementation of the directives of the Gulf leaders “to strengthen the foundations of the GCC economic structure on solid foundations and principles.”
Al-Budaiwi said that the World Bank had predicted the GCC countries’ economy would grow by 3.6 percent in 2024 and 3.7 percent in 2025, outperforming major global markets, while the International Monetary Fund expected that the total general government surplus would reach 3 percent of gross domestic product during this year.
He added: “Despite the weak global economic growth, high interest rates, and geopolitical risks in our region and the entire world, the World Bank confirmed that the non-oil sectors will lead economic growth in the GCC countries.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail headed the Kingdom’s delegation at the 27th meeting of the Committee of Ministers concerned with municipal affairs among the GCC countries in Doha.
Al-Hogail expressed his country’s pleasure at hosting the 12th annual Gulf Municipal Work Conference in Riyadh from Oct. 6 to 8. He urged companies and institutions in the private sector in the GCC countries to actively participate to enhance cooperation.
Member states and the General Secretariat were also encouraged to actively participate and highlight the achievements of joint Gulf municipal work at international forums, and to sign memorandums of understanding with various specialized international organizations to better serve the municipal sector.
Saudi security forces nab 13 Ethiopians in multiple drug smuggling attempts in southern borders
Drug haul include 917 kg of qat, 39.5 kg of hashish, and other banned drugs
In addition to the 13 Ethiopians, 2 Yemenis and a Saudi citizen were also arrested for peddling drugs
Updated 22 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi security forces guarding the Kingdom's southern borders have arrested 13 Ethiopians attempting to smuggle a total of 917 kilograms of qat and other narcotic substances, the Saudi Press Agency said in a series of reports on Sunday.
Two Yemenis and a Saudi citizen were also arrested in separate operations for peddling drugs, SPA said.
Seven of the Ethiopian suspects were caught by the Saudi Border Guard in Al-Ardah, Jazan region, while trying to sneak into the Kingdom 320 kilograms of the narcotic qat plant, SPA said in one of eight reports.
Another report said Border Guard land patrols in Al-Dayer, Jazan, arrested four Ethiopians for illegal entry and found in their possession 39.5 kilograms of hashish and 19,960 tablets of amphetamine.
In Fifa governorate, also in Jazan, security patrols arrested two Ethiopians for illegal entry and found in their possession 59,998 tablets of restricted drugs.
A sample of the narcotic qat plant, a key export of drug traffickers from Yemen. (SPA/File)
Border Guard patrols reported separately seizing 432 kilograms of qat in Al-Rabou`ah, Asir region; 165 kilograms of qat in Al-Dayer, Jazan; and an undetermined amount of qat in Al-Farsha governorate of Asir.
Still in Asir, security patrols of the General Directorate of Mujahideen arrested a Saudi citizen for peddling hashish and methamphetamine (shabu), SPA said.
And in Jeddah, agents of the General Directorate of Mujahideen arrested two Yemeni nationals for peddling hashish and amphetamine.
Amid the persistent drug menace, security authorities called on the public to report information they have about any activities related to drug smuggling or promotion by calling the numbers (911) in the regions of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and (999) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom.
To report to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, one may dial number 995 or send an email to [email protected].
Saudi leaders congratulate Algerian president on re-election
Updated 09 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a cable of congratulations to Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Sunday on his re-election, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The King and Crown Prince wished the Algerian people further progress and prosperity.
Tebboune won a second term as president with almost 95 percent of the vote, the country’s electoral authority ANIE said.
More than 5.3 million people voted for him, accounting for “94.65 percent of the vote,” ANIE head Mohamed Charfi told reporters.
ANIE said it only counted the number of voters who cast a ballot for one of the candidates, excluding blank votes.
Saudi FM receives International Organization for Migration chief in Riyadh
During the reception, Prince Faisal and Amy Pope reviewed cooperation relations between the Kingdom and the IOM and ways to support and enhance them
Updated 08 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration in Riyadh on Sunday.
During the reception, Prince Faisal and Amy Pope reviewed cooperation relations between the Kingdom and the IOM and ways to support and enhance them.
The two officials also discussed regional and international developments of common interest.
Ali Almenaie’s tourism project resulted from the desire to tell the story of the ‘Bride of the Red Sea’
Updated 08 September 2024
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: Jeddah has long been the gateway to the Kingdom, playing a pivotal role in the nation’s economy through its historic ties to commerce and its unique position as a hub for religious tourism, primarily Umrah and Hajj.
With the launch of Vision 2030, the city was destined to be at the forefront of the National Transformation Program, which elevates the tourism sector and establishes an ecosystem capable of welcoming 100 million tourists annually.
Al-Balad, with its captivating historic charm and significant heritage, remains the most popular destination for local and international visitors. (Supplied/ Instagram/discoverjeddah)
In a stroke of serendipity, Discover Jeddah was founded in 2017 — the same year the program’s execution began. Today, the tourism startup is not just encouraging local and international tourists to visit Saudi Arabia, but to discover Jeddah, the Kingdom’s vibrant coastal hub.
The concept is pretty simple: it is all about telling the story of the “Bride of the Red Sea,” said Ali Almenaie, the CEO of the project with roots in Jeddah, where he was born and raised.
Ali Almenaie, Discover Jeddah founder
He told Arab News: “With too much information out there, I felt that there was a need to show Jeddah through the eyes of those who love it, so that those who have not visited Jeddah or those who have but did not experience the heart and soul of the city, fall in love with it.”
As demand for authentic experiences grew, Almenaie pursued certification from the Ministry of Tourism to become a registered tour guide.
Al-Balad, with its captivating historic charm and significant heritage, remains the most popular destination for local and international visitors. (Supplied/ Instagram/discoverjeddah)
In 2023, he launched Discover Al-Balad, a tour service offering an immersive experience of one of Saudi Arabia’s World Heritage Sites.
On Instagram, Almenaie has curated a visual love letter to Jeddah and Al-Balad, capturing people’s interest, sparking their curiosity and encouraging more people to visit.
I felt that there was a need to show Jeddah through the eyes of those who love it, so that those who have not visited Jeddah or those who have but did not experience the heart and soul of the city, fall in love with it.
Ali Almenaie, Discover Jeddah founder
“From a young age I found myself drawn to the art of curation, capturing and collecting images that resonated with the things I cherished most in life,” Almenaie explained.
“I was captivated by the power of visuals to tell a story. This love for storytelling naturally extended to Jeddah, the city of my heart. I began to gather images that could capture its essence, hoping to piece together a narrative that was both personal and profound.”
A brief tour of Al-Balad takes about 1.5 hours, while a more in-depth exploration, including its hidden gems, can last three to four hours. (Supplied/ Instagram/discoverjeddah)
Almenaie added that he felt there was “a glaring absence, a silence where there should have been a vibrant, visual tale of Jeddah.”
He said: “The city’s story was out there, waiting to be told, but it was missing the richness that only images could convey. I realized that what was lacking was a visual narrative — one that could bring to life the soul of Jeddah, beyond words, in a way that was immediate and impactful.”
Kholoud Abdulwassie, tour guide.
In addition to guided tours, Discover Jeddah offers advertising services that include storytelling about significant locations in Jeddah.
It also offers multilingual tours to ensure that everyone can easily appreciate the city’s significance and its heritage sites. It also suggests optimal times for tours, so visitors can make the most of their experience, capturing beautiful moments to cherish and share.
Domestic tourists have mostly been Saudis, and British, German, Russian, and Egyptian residents. (Supplied/ Instagram/discoverjeddah)
One tourist from Ghana provided feedback, which said: “This tour doesn’t just show you the structures and tell you the facts, it takes you back in time to sense, see, and feel the old city. The tour is very family-friendly and tailored to the interests of the audience.”
Almenaie said: “We are planning to add more tour guides who can communicate in Japanese, Chinese, Urdu, Hindi, and Malayalam.”
There are only five tour guides, including Almenaie, at present. The reason for the small number is to ensure that quality does not get compromised while giving tours.
And while the focus is on Jeddah, the company occasionally runs tours in Madinah, Makkah and Riyadh in Arabic, English, German, Italian, French, and Spanish.
To Almenaie, running a tourism operation means avoiding “a purely transactional approach to business.”
He added: “This helps us identify people who have a genuine interest in discovering the city, allowing us to focus our efforts on them and save time by not pursuing those who may not fully appreciate what we offer.”
The most common nationalities using the services of Discover Jeddah are Americans, Brazilians, Europeans, Indians, and Ghanaians. Domestic tourists have mostly been Saudis, and British, German, Russian, and Egyptian residents.
One of the veteran tour guides is Kholoud Abdulwassie, who used to live in Germany. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in zoology from King Abdulaziz University, which gave her valuable insights into the fauna of Saudi Arabia.
She has been with Discover Jeddah for two years now, and told Arab News: “My love for my city, especially the historic Al-Balad, where my family’s roots are and our houses still stand, drew me to this role. After learning about Discover Jeddah, I was eager to join a team that felt like the perfect match.”
Abdulwassie believes that each day brings something new, and added: “On tour days we welcome guests and lead them through the wonders of Jeddah. On days without tours, we focus on brainstorming and creating fresh experiences to offer.”
Al-Balad, with its captivating historic charm, remains the most popular destination. Other must-see highlights in Jeddah include the bustling fish market, the luxurious Jeddah Yacht Club, the serene Al-Rahma Mosque, popularly known as the “Floating Mosque,” and the picturesque Al-Hamra Corniche, home to the stunning King Fahd’s Fountain.
A brief tour of Al-Balad takes about 1.5 hours, while a more in-depth exploration, including its hidden gems, can last three to four hours. Full-day tours, which cover multiple locations, typically extend to around eight hours. These experiences often include tasting traditional Saudi food and learning about the daily life of a typical Saudi family.
Abdulwassie said that to engage with tourists from different cultural backgrounds was crucial.
She added: “It allows me to tailor each experience to the unique interests of our guests.
“As Jeddah natives, we’re accustomed to interacting with people from all over the world, especially during Hajj. My personal experiences, having visited around 25 countries and lived in Germany and Egypt, provide me with a broad cultural perspective that I bring to every tour.”
Among the most challenging situations Abdulwassie encounters is dealing with Jeddah’s humidity and blistering summer heat.
She said: “Summer weather can be challenging, so we design special routes with frequent air-conditioned stops to keep our guests cool and hydrated.”
She added: “I once had the privilege of guiding a UK traveler who was visiting Saudi Arabia as her 198th country. It was an honor to show her around, and she later invited me to her home in London. Together, we enjoyed marking Saudi Arabia on her travel map.”
Saudi Arabia’s Hilwah Al-Jouf: A timeless bond between people and dates across generations
With nearly one million palm trees, Al-Jouf region produces more than 43,000 tonnes of dates each year, including the popular Hilwah Al-Jouf
Updated 08 September 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Generations of Al-Jouf natives have been associated with palm trees, underlining the deep connection between them and their homeland.
Palm trees provided essential sustenance to community members in the past, but also served purposes beyond food. Palm trunks, fronds and branches provided the basis for building shelters, the skill and knowledge passed down from generation to generation.
Hilwah Al-Jouf symbolizes the identity of the region, embodying traditional values, and serves more than just as food. (SPA)
Young people today maintain their connection to palm cultivation, learning from their fathers and grandfathers, and celebrating the region’s rich agricultural heritage.
Hilwah Al-Jouf cultivation, in particular, is a source of pride for date farmers and an important element of the region’s economy. The Hilwah Al-Jouf date is known not only for its flavor, but also for its cultural significance in the Al-Jouf region.
Hilwah Al-Jouf cultivation, in particular, is a source of pride for date farmers and an important element of the region’s economy. (SPA)
When English traveler Lady Anne Blunt visited the region in 1879, she noted that these dates were of exceptional sweetness and quality.
Hilwah Al-Jouf is in great demand in local markets, particularly during the harvest season, which begins in September. With nearly one million palm trees, Al-Jouf region produces more than 43,000 tonnes of dates each year, including the popular Hilwah Al-Jouf.
Hilwah Al-Jouf symbolizes the identity of the region, embodying traditional values, and serves more than just as food. (SPA)
Dates support the local economy by providing the produce sold at regional festivals and holding contests honoring the best dates every year.
Farmers using a careful harvesting and production process, transform the dates from their initial red appearance, known as basr, into fully ripened varieties. The dates are carefully stored and pressed, ready to be enjoyed during the winter months, when they are known as Al-Majrash, a local delicacy characterized by its sugary texture and molasses-like.
Hilwah Al-Jouf represents more than a simple food item, it is the center of the Al-Jouf region’s culture and economy, embodying traditional values that are central to the community’s identity.
