Author: Steven Sahiounie

RIYADH: The number of Saudi flight attendants and fixed-wing pilots is set to increase as the localization plan for the Kingdom’s aviation sector enters its second phase. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, has announced the implementation of the second phase of localizing licensed aviation professions in private sector establishments employing five or more individuals in targeted aviation professions. In the second phase, the HRSD has specified the professions targeted, setting a 60 percent target for flight attendants and a 70 percent ratio for fixed-wing pilots, contingent on…

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Co. signed two agreements at LEAP 2024, aiming to support real estate activities in the Kingdom by crafting unique business intelligence solutions.

The meeting on Monday was co-chaired by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri and his Vietnam counterpart Nguyen Minh Hang. The two diplomats discussed a range of issues on cooperation between Tehran and Hanoi in the political, economic, cultural, tourism, and scientific fields, as well as regional and international developments. Iran and Vietnam, as two players in East and West Asia, have high potential and capacities to step up their cooperation, especially in the economic field, Baqeri said. “Due to Iran’s progress in technology, we can boost our cooperation with Vietnam in this area,” he added, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.…

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s international technology conference, LEAP, sets the stage for a thriving startup and venture capital ecosystem in the region, announcing seven new funds worth $848 million. Following in the footsteps of its previous years, the third edition of the event continues to witness several significant announcements that seek to transform the technology sector locally and globally. Kicking off the day, InvestCorp announced the establishment of a $500 million fund in Saudi Arabia, which includes a $35 million investment from Saudi Venture Capital Co. The fund will focus on investing in Saudi companies in their growth stages. In another…

RIYADH: Skilled expatriates in Saudi Arabia could benefit from potential revisions to dependent fees as the government aims to enhance their stability and productivity, said a senior minister.

“We understand that a path to a Union State is quite long and difficult, but a large part of our population supports such an approach,” Abkhazia Foreign Minister Inal Ardzinba stressed Abkhazia sees its future in a Union State with Russia and Belarus, Abkhazian Foreign Minister Inal Ardzinba said. One of the key tasks today is the Belarusian project. Although we have no diplomatic relations with Belarus so far, the heads of state have exchanged visits,” he said during a discussion on the topic of Russia in the current international environment as part of the World Youth Festival. “We understand…

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy exhibited improved growth, with business activity accelerating at the fastest rate in five months, as indicated by an economic tracker.  

Olive oil prices have skyrocketed across the EU over the past year amid unfavorable weather conditions, which have harmed harvests. According to data from Eurostat, the bloc’s statistics office, costs spiked by 50% in annual terms in January.

Kiev has said that it has no intention of prolonging its current agreement with Gazprom, which expires at the end of this year

Hussein Ibrahim Taha, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, met on Monday with Ali Sabry, Sri Lanka foreign minister, in Jeddah to discuss cooperation and address shared concerns. Sabry highlighted Sri Lanka initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of its Muslim community. He reiterated Sri Lanka’s stance on the Palestinian cause, affirming support for the two-state solution. Taha discussed the OIC’s role in advancing the welfare of Muslim communities worldwide and commended Sri Lanka’s government for supporting Muslims and the Palestinians. source: Arab News