Saudi Arabia’s ozone-depleting gases reduced to 1%
Saudi Arabia’s ozone-depleting gases reduced to 1%/node/2551996/saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabia’s ozone-depleting gases reduced to 1%
The National Center for Environmental Compliance has revealed that the proportion of gases emitted in the Kingdom that deplete the ozone layer has decreased to 1 percent. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s ozone-depleting gases reduced to 1%
Results were part of a study conducted on the Kingdom’s refrigeration and air-conditioning facilities to check the extent of their environmental compliance
Field survey checked more than 1,200 facilities to evaluate their general condition and respective corrective plans were activated
Updated 18 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The National Center for Environmental Compliance revealed today that the proportion of gases emitted in the Kingdom that deplete the ozone layer has decreased to 1 percent.
The results were part of a study conducted on the Kingdom’s refrigeration and air-conditioning facilities to check the extent of their environmental compliance.
A field survey checked more than 1,200 facilities to evaluate their general condition and respective corrective plans were activated.
NCEC made the announcement at the opening of the workshop “Field study of the environmental compliance extent in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector” and attended by executives and specialists from related government and private agencies.
According to SPA, the results of the study showed that, during the past 10 years, the Kingdom’s prohibited gases were reduced to 1 percent, a proportion representing a positive indicator of the reduction of the ozone-depleting gases consumption plan. On the other hand, the Kingdom’s imports of eco-friendly appliances and gases have increased since 2020, as well as an awareness of the Montreal Protocol that aims to reduce the concentration of ozone-depleting gases and use eco-friendly alternatives. As such, the Kingdom could gradually reduce the consumption of ozone-depleting substances and eliminate them radically by 2030.
The study covered 24 factories using the relevant gases (2 percent), 689 maintenance centers (58 percent), 248 gas distributors and suppliers (21 percent) and 28 importers of appliances (2.3 percent).
The Kingdom ratified the Montreal Protocol in 1993 and established the National Ozone Unit, which later joined the NCEC and is responsible for preparing and implementing national plans for compliance with the protocol in cooperation with the pertinent sectors.
PIF’s gaming entity aims to become a global games leader by 2030
Savvy’s CEO Brian Ward sheds light on company’s achievements, future plans
Updated 59 min 41 sec ago
Lama Alhamawi
RIYADH: The CEO of Savvy Gaming Group recently detailed the latest progress from its 2023 annual report and highlighted key areas of expansion in 2025.
Brian Ward told Arab News: “2025 is going to be a very exciting year for Savvy.
“First of all, on the esports side, we have the inaugural Olympic Esports Games here in Riyadh, sometime later in the second half of the year. So, a huge tournament, the first official addition to the Olympic movement since the Winter Games in 1928,” he explained.
“On the game development and publishing side, we expect to be able to announce another major investment or acquisition, hopefully in a top team or publisher that can bring another great game to our portfolio,” he said.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The company emphasized its mission and commitment to transparency through the publication of its first inaugural annual report providing key resources for understanding Savvy’s trajectory in the gaming sector.
• On creating jobs, Ward said that the team has now doubled in size within the last year.
Savvy is one of the entities responsible for positioning the Kingdom as a major global hub for the games industry, with a mission to become a world leader by 2030.
Since its launch in September 2022 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also the chairman of the board of Savvy Games Group, the PIF-owned company has expanded its assets on multiple fronts from human capital, acquisitions, game development, and investment.
Brian Ward, Savvy Gaming Group CEO
“I think we’ll see a lot more collaboration amongst all the stakeholders in the Kingdom toward creating great incentives to attract foreign investment and to bring jobs to Saudi Arabia, as well as training and development programs actually kicking off to help develop skills for Saudis,” Ward said.
According to the 2023 annual report published by Savvy, there are more than 21 million self-identified game players in Saudi Arabia — 70 percent of the population — with over 48 percent of these players being women.
The company emphasized its mission and commitment to transparency through the publication of its first inaugural annual report providing key resources for understanding Savvy’s trajectory in the gaming sector.
On the game development and publishing side, we expect to be able to announce another major investment or acquisition, hopefully in a top team or publisher that can bring another great game to our portfolio.
Brian Ward, Savvy Gaming Group CEO
One of the major central themes of the report is Savvy’s role in delivering Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy.
In a statement released by Savvy, the CEO said: “2023 was a transformative year for Savvy. Our investments and initiatives have expanded our global footprint and contributed to exciting developments within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and added significant shareholder value.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to our chairman for his wise counsel and leadership and our shareholder, the PIF, for their unwavering support and guidance.”
The annual report detailed how 2023 marked a major year of investment for Savvy, with the largest transaction being a $4.9 billion acquisition of Scopely, the rebranding of Savvy Games Studios to Steer Studios, and the launch of “MONOPOLY GO!”
On creating jobs, Ward said that the team has now doubled in size within the last year. Savy’s workforce now has over 3,500 employees across 22 countries with an emphasis on hiring people in key areas such as finance, strategy, legal, human resources, and communications.
When asked how Savvy aims to contribute to the Kingdom’s growing gaming sector, Ward said they are executing on three fronts: games development and publishing investment worldwide, esports development, and then Saudi Arabian ecosystem-building.
“On the KSA ecosystem-building front, our main mission, as we see it, is to help coalesce and drive further collaboration amongst local stakeholders to ensure that we have the right incentives, packages to attract foreign investment and jobs, training and development programs, coming to fruition to give Saudis the right skills to fill those jobs,” he explained.
Ward highlighted how Savvy’s local studio is doing “extremely well,” adding that “there’s about 85 or 90 people in that studio now. They’re in development of two mobile games, one of which is in soft launch and, hoping to kick off a console project with an important, local third party.”
Speaking on the recent New Global Sports Conference, Ward said it was very successful.
“We were remarking that I don’t think any of us had seen that number of senior executives from the games industry all in one place in many, many years, so super well-attended from that point.”
Al-Jouf: A fruitful fusion of local and global fruit production
“The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture champions cultivating specific fruit varieties through the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program”
Updated 31 August 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Every year, farmers in the region of Al-Jouf harvest fruits from more than two million trees, contributing to Al-Jouf’s reputation as the “fruit basket” of the Kingdom, according to a recent Saudi Press Agency report.
The SPA stated that the fruits of Al-Jouf are “known for their exceptional quality and taste.”
The fruit farms are also one of Al-Jouf’s major tourist attractions. (SPA)
According to the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases statistics, the region — known for its fertile soil — is home to more than 1.3 million fruit trees, as well as 816,000 palm trees.
The farms yield over 170,000 tons of fruit annually, which is sold at both local and international markets.
FASTFACT
According to the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases statistics, the region is home to more than 1.3 million fruit trees, as well as 816,000 palm trees.
“This supply contributes to the Kingdom’s food security, supports farmers and producers, and provides consumers with high-quality natural products,” the SPA report said.
The farms yield over 170,000 tons of fruit annually, which is sold at both local and international markets. (SPA)
Fruit harvesting takes place year-round, peaking between May and December. Fruits produced in Al-Jouf include figs, grapes, peaches, apricots, lemons, oranges, tangerines, apples, pears, watermelons, plums, nectarines, pomegranates, and various berries, thanks to its favorable environmental conditions and access to fresh water in Tabarjal Governorate. Pistachios and almonds are also grown in the region.
Embracing tropical and global varieties
Their success in cultivating tropical and non-native fruits in Al-Jouf has encouraged farmers to experiment with imported crops, including passion fruits and pineapples. Trees native to Al-Jouf are also in demand overseas and are regularly exported for processing industries.
Fruit harvesting takes place year-round, peaking between May and December. (SPA)
“The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture champions cultivating specific fruit varieties through the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program,” the SPA noted. “Additionally, associations and government bodies offer training programs for farmers and entrepreneurs in agricultural production, fruit cultivation, and processing industries.”
The fruit farms are also one of Al-Jouf’s major tourist attractions, the SPA said, along with, “the region’s natural beauty, moderate weather, and historical sites.”
Who’s Who: Andrew Pearcey, chief executive officer of the World Defense Show
Updated 31 August 2024
Arab News
Andrew Pearcey is CEO of the World Defense Show, a large-scale biennial defense exhibition in Riyadh, held under the patronage of King Salman and founded by the General Authority of Military Industries under the leadership of Ahmad Al-Ohali.
Responsible for the show’s overall organization and working closely with GAMI, Pearcey led the team through two highly successful events and has ambitious plans for the third.
As CEO, Pearcey oversees a permanent multicultural, multidisciplinary team of 70 in the Riyadh head office, which expands to nearly 150 in the run-up to and during the event. Through careful selection and nurturing, he has ensured a strong and growing level of Saudization within the team and implements a robust talent development program throughout the organization.
This role builds on a 25-year career as a strategic and commercial professional, holding challenging positions in events, advertising, brand management and sponsorship, with brands ranging from telecoms to food and beverage.
Pearcey began his career in advertising, working at various agencies before joining the UK mobile operator Orange, where he managed high-profile sponsorships and events in film, music, and sport. He was part of the team that launched the EE brand and led the Football Association’s first sponsorship of Wembley Stadium. He then moved to Cheil Worldwide as a managing partner, overseeing Samsung’s global events, ensuring business growth, and delivering award-winning campaigns.
In 2015, Pearcey transitioned to the ADS Group and its subsidiary, Farnborough International, serving as an executive director on the board, working on the Farnborough International Airshow and its exhibition venue business.
In 2019, he was approached by GAMI to move to Saudi Arabia to develop and launch a new defense exhibition in Riyadh. The inaugural World Defense Show took place in March 2022 with enormous success.
Pearcey holds a degree in business studies with a major in marketing from Middlesex University in his native UK and professional qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of Saudi Arabia
Updated 31 August 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 20,718 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 13,248 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,688 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,782 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 744 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 62 percent were Ethiopian, 37 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 69 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 16 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s GOSI extends fine exemption for businesses
With a 100 percent exemption rate, subscription amounts due to GOSI must be paid through Taminaty Business
Updated 31 August 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The General Organization for Social Insurance has announced an extension of the fine exemption initiative for business owners, granting them an additional six months to pay outstanding late dues and violation fines.
Launched by GOSI in March, the initiative aims to help establishments mitigate the financial impacts of fines, correct their insurance status, and settle debts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
It is part of GOSI’s efforts to support the business sector, encourage insurance compliance, and improve customer satisfaction.
With a 100 percent exemption rate, subscription amounts due to GOSI must be paid through Taminaty Business.
The initiative includes all establishments with debts registered before March 3, 2024.
To introduce business owners to the initiative and the application process, GOSI held more than 25 workshops with various beneficiaries.
The workshops provided detailed explanations to business owners about fees arising from non-payment of monthly subscriptions, as well as fines due to insurance violations.
Nearly 142,000 establishments applied as part of the initiative during the first six months. The initiative also includes establishments that had previously received an exemption or entered into a prior installment plan.
GOSI encourages all establishments and business owners to take advantage of the initiative and apply for exemptions from fines before the end of the extension period.
