| AlUla to double hotel room supply in year-round tourism push
AlUla has increased its aviation capacity to 30 weekly flights and is aiming to double its hotel room supply to 2,000, a senior figure in the organization tasked with developing the area told Arab News. |
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| TOURISE 2025: Saudi TDF secures $773m in tourism investments
The Saudi Tourism Development Fund, the national enabler of the tourism sector, launched its participation in the “TOURISE 2025” forum by announcing a portfolio of strategic projects and partnerships with a total value of SR2.9 billion ($773.2 million). |
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| NMDC Energy, Baker Hughes sign deal to localize offshore solutions in Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi-based NMDC Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with US energy technology firm Baker Hughes to localize offshore solutions in Saudi Arabia. |
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| Middle East’s sports economy holds $75bn growth potential, report estimates
The Middle East’s sports economy has a $75 billion growth opportunity, driven by the need to close a significant participation gap, a new report showed. |
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| Saudi reinsurance market aims to attract foreign investors
Saudi Arabia has become an attractive market for international players in the insurance and reinsurance sector, with rising interest from foreign companies in entering the Kingdom, as confirmed by two officials to Asharq Bloomberg. |
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| Saudi Monsha’at, NCIM ink deal to empower SMEs
Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, also known as Monsha’at, has signed a deal with the National Center for Inspection and Monitoring to foster collaboration in key areas such as conducting targeted studies. |
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| Gulf-Egypt trade and investment forum kicks off in Cairo
The Gulf‑Egypt Trade and Investment Forum 2025 launched in Cairo on Nov. 10 under the theme “Roadmap towards enhancing Egyptian‑Gulf economic cooperation.” |
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| Qatar, Japan launch $2.5bn private equity fund to deepen economic ties
Qatar and Japan have partnered to create a $2.5 billion private equity fund, marking the Gulf state’s first domestic investment into the Asian country. |
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| Riyadh gears up for 1st TOURISE 2025 under Crown Prince’s patronage
Under the patronage of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Riyadh is set to host the inaugural edition of the TOURISE 2025 Summit, organized by the Ministry of Tourism from Nov. 11 to 13. |
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| Mining, manufacturing sectors drive Saudi industrial growth to 9.3%: GASTAT
Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Production Index rose 9.3 percent year on year in September, driven by strong growth in manufacturing, mining, and quarrying, official data showed. |
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| Saudi Arabia eyes top 10 global tourism ranking, says Al-Khateeb
Saudi Arabia is on track to rank among the world’s top 10 tourist destinations, according to Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb. |
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| Dubai’s economy expands 4.4% in H1 as growth broadens across sectors
Dubai’s economy grew 4.4 percent in the first half of 2025 to 241 billion dirhams ($65.6 billion), driven by growth in healthcare, construction, and real estate, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s most competitive urban economies. |
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| GCC economic growth set to accelerate to 4.3% by 2027: GCC-Stat
Economic growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council is set to accelerate to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by expanding non-oil sectors, following a balanced 1.9 percent rise in gross domestic product in 2024, according to official data. |
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| Oman’s bank credit up 8% to $90bn as non-oil sector expands
The total credit extended by the banking sector in Oman rose by 8 percent year on year to reach 34.5 billion Omani rials ($89.7 billion) by the end of September, official data showed. |
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| Biban Forum 2025 concludes with over $10bn in agreements
The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, or Monsha’at, concluded the Biban Forum 2025, held over four days under the theme “Global Destination for Opportunities.” |
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| KCCI hosts US trade delegation to boost economic, investment ties
The Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) hosted a US trade and economic delegation on November 9, 2025, aimed at enhancing cooperation and investment opportunities between the two countries. |
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| Riyadh office rents surge 15% as reforms boost Saudi property market: CBRE
Saudi Arabia’s ongoing economic diversification push is energizing its property market, with office rents in Riyadh climbing 15 percent year on year and occupancy hitting 98 percent, CBRE said. |
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| MENA M&A activities maintain growth with $69.1bn in deals: EY
Mergers and acquisitions in the Middle East and North Africa region reached $69.1 billion in the first nine months of this year through 649 deals, marking a 23 percent year-on-year rise, a new analysis showed. |
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| Saudi Arabia arrests 21,647 undocumented residents in one week
Saudi authorities arrested 21,647 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. |
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| Kuwait and China to see ‘enhanced cooperation’ in development projects
His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, chaired on Wednesday the 33rd meeting of the ministerial committee tasked with following up on the country’s major development projects. |
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| MENA startup funding drops to $784.9m in October
Startup funding in the Middle East and North Africa region posted an annual rise of 395 percent in October, indicating ongoing investor confidence, according to Wamda’s monthly report. |
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| Qatari Diar to invest $29.7bn in Egypt project
Qatari Diar, the real estate arm of Doha’s sovereign wealth fund, will invest $29.7 billion in a luxury development including golf courses and marinas on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, a source with direct knowledge said on Wednesday. |
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| Up to $2m pledged to 13 fintech startups at Biban Investors’ Arena
The Investors’ Arena at Biban Forum 2025, recorded 37 investment intentions during day two, with a total value of SR7.4 million ($1.97 million). |
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| Saudi POS transactions surge above $4bn in late October, up 37%
Saudi Arabia’s total point-of-sale transactions rose to SR16.02 billion ($4.27 billion) in the week ending Nov. 1, maintaining momentum above the $3 billion mark for a fourth consecutive week, official data showed. |
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| Day 2 of Biban 2025 sees 21 agreements, 5 initiatives launched
The second day of the Biban Forum 2025 witnessed the signing of 21 agreements, as well as the launch of five new initiatives. |
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| Biban 2025: Day 3 sees more than $2bn pledged to support SMEs
The third day of Biban Forum 2025 saw the signing of 11 agreements and memorandums of understanding and the launch of seven financing portfolios with a total value above SR7.6 billion ($2.03 billion). |
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| Monsha’at and LinkedIn sign MoU to support high-growth companies at Biban 2025
Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, known as Monsha’at, has signed a memorandum of understanding with LinkedIn during the Biban 2025 Forum, held from November 5 to 8 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center under the theme “A Global Destination for Opportunities.” |
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| Ma’aden profit surges 91% to $1.51bn in first 9 months of 2025
Saudi Arabian Mining Co., also known as Ma’aden, reported a net profit of SR5.67 billion ($1.51 billion) in the first nine months of 2025, up 91 percent from the same period a year earlier. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi benchmark index closes in red at 11,257
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Wednesday, shedding 141.55 points, or 1.24 percent, to close at 11,256.74. |
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| UAE non-oil growth steady in October as PMI hits 53.8: S&P Global
The UAE’s non-oil economy maintained steady growth in October, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index at 53.8, supported by strong new orders and robust business activity, a report showed. |
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| Oman, Spain sign 4 deals to boost green energy and trade cooperation
Oman and Spain are set to expand economic ties after signing four memorandums of understanding in Madrid aimed at boosting cooperation in green energy, water management, liquefied natural gas, and trade. |
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| PIF-backed Savvy Games, Humain sign AI deal to boost Saudi innovation drive
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund-backed Savvy Games Group has signed a partnership with fellow portfolio firm Humain to deploy full-stack artificial intelligence across operations, strengthening the Kingdom’s emerging innovation ecosystem. |
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| Biban 2025: Monsha’at report highlights surge in SME growth, funding
Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, Monsha’at, said the Kingdom’s entrepreneurial landscape is expanding rapidly, with SME financing, employment, and business registrations reaching record levels. |
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| Saudi Arabia, US set to deepen cooperation on mining, critical minerals
Saudi Arabia and the US are set to deepen cooperation in mining and critical minerals as senior officials met in Riyadh to strengthen supply chains vital to the global energy transition. |
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| GCC insurance outlook stable on growth, diversification gains: Moody’s
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s insurance sector is expected to remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months, supported by strong economic growth and rising non-oil investments, according to Moody’s Ratings. |
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| Kuwait leads Gulf non-oil growth as Egypt stabilizes and Qatar slows: S&P Global PMI
Gulf business conditions diverged in October as Kuwait’s non-oil sector strengthened, Qatar’s non-energy growth slowed, and Egypt’s contraction eased to an eight-month low. |
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| Qatar sells $4bn in two-part debt issue
Qatar, among the world’s top exporters of liquefied natural gas, tapped global debt markets for $4 billion in a two-tranche issue which attracted hefty order books and allowed the Gulf state to achieve more favorable pricing than initially indicated. |
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| Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector posts strong growth as PMI hits 60.2
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy accelerated in October, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index climbing to 60.2, its second-highest level in more than a decade, signaling strong business growth momentum. |
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| Gulf markets rise for 2nd month, MSCI GCC Index up 1.2%
Gulf Cooperation Council equities recorded their second consecutive monthly gain in October as the MSCI GCC index rose by 1.2 percent, reflecting stronger regional sentiment amid policy easing and global market resilience. |
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| Qatar’s general, bulk cargo handling sees annual surge of 43%
Qatar’s ports handled 216,466 tonnes of general and bulk cargo in October, marking a 43 percent year-on-year increase, official data showed. |
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| Gulf markets rise for 2nd month, MSCI GCC Index up 1.2%
Gulf Cooperation Council equities recorded their second consecutive monthly gain in October as the MSCI GCC index rose by 1.2 percent, reflecting stronger regional sentiment amid policy easing and global market resilience. |
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| Saudi airports and airlines soar with high on-time performance in September: GACA
Saudi Arabia’s major airports and national airlines demonstrated strong on-time performance in September, according to a monthly report from the General Authority of Civil Aviation. |
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| EVIQ to complete 60 EV charging stations by end of 2025, focus shifts to highways
Saudi Arabia’s state-backed Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Co., known as EVIQ, expects to complete 60 charging stations by the end of 2025 across Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province. |
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| Saudi Arabia qualifies 12 firms for $179m mining exploration round
Twelve local and international mining companies qualified for the second round of Saudi Arabia’s Exploration Enablement Program, securing preliminary approval for 38 licenses and SR664 million ($179.3 million) in exploration commitments. |
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| Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,484
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed lower on Monday, slipping 52.72 points, or 0.46 percent, to end at 11,483.57. |
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| Dubai property sales soar to record high of $152.32bn, report says
Dubai’s property market hit a new record in 2025, with sales climbing to 559.4 billion dirhams ($152 billion) by October, already surpassing the emirate’s previous full-year high, a new analysis showed. |
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| PIF, ACWA Power sign MoU to develop energy and water infrastructure project
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and ACWA Power have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore opportunities for developing energy and water infrastructure projects for PIF’s local real estate companies. |
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| Saudi Arabia key to BYD’s global growth plans: Stella Li
They once said the automobile world was no place for a woman. But Chinese executive Stella Li proved them wrong — and went on to become one of the most influential women in the global automotive industry. |
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| German dairy, honey, and coffee firms plan factories in Saudi Arabia
Six German companies specializing in dairy, honey, and coffee are exploring investment opportunities and commercial partnerships with Saudi investors and suppliers. |
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| Saudi Arabia opens November ‘Sah’ sukuk offering with 4.71% return
Saudi Arabia has opened subscriptions for its November issuance of the government-backed “Sah” savings sukuk, providing investors with an annual interest rate of 4.71 percent, marginally lower than the 4.83 percent offered in October. |