海角直播

海角直播 launches groundbreaking International Water Research Center

The center, a collaboration between KAUST and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture , aligns with 海角直播鈥檚 broader sustainability goals.
The center, a collaboration between KAUST and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture , aligns with 海角直播鈥檚 broader sustainability goals.
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Updated 09 December 2024

海角直播 launches groundbreaking International Water Research Center

海角直播 launches groundbreaking International Water Research Center
  • Plan is projected to contribute $31.99 billion to national GDP
  • Key strategic collaborations under MEWA鈥檚 partnership with KAUST were also announced during COP16

RIYADH: 海角直播鈥檚 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has officially launched the International Water Research Center, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming global sustainability efforts.

The center was unveiled on Dec. 8 during COP16, with the Kingdom鈥檚 Minister of Environment Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli highlighting its focus on addressing critical challenges such as water scarcity, pollution, and the development of sustainable water solutions.

The center, a collaboration between KAUST and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, aligns with 海角直播鈥檚 broader sustainability goals, including a target to recycle up to 95 percent of the country鈥檚 waste. This ambitious plan is projected to contribute SR120 billion ($31.99 billion) to the national gross domestic product.

In his speech,聽 Al-Fadhli emphasized the center鈥檚 role in reshaping global water sustainability practices. 鈥淭he International Water Research Center, hosted by KAUST in collaboration with MEWA and leading international research institutions, is set to redefine global approaches to water sustainability,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t will focus on solving water scarcity, pollution, and developing environmentally friendly solutions.鈥

Al-Fadhli also announced key strategic collaborations under MEWA鈥檚 partnership with KAUST, including a joint research initiative with the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program, the National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Estidamah, and KAUST. The partnership aims to explore algae-based biostimulants to enhance soil quality and promote sustainable agriculture in the Kingdom.

Further advancing agricultural research, the minister highlighted the NCDP-KAUST Research and Innovation Partnership, which includes four major projects totaling SR100 million. These projects aim to drive innovation in the palm industry, furthering the Kingdom鈥檚 agricultural sustainability and economic development.

Another key initiative, the Environment Fund鈥檚 Sustainability Innovation Fellowships, was also introduced by Al-Fadhli. This fellowship provides postdoctoral researchers with an opportunity to develop innovative water treatment solutions, addressing critical environmental challenges through cutting-edge research.

On the future of agricultural education, the minister discussed a collaboration between NEOM and the University of Tabuk, which has launched a comprehensive program to address the shortage of skilled professionals in agricultural sustainability.

Al-Fadhli also presented the 鈥淐elebrating Innovators in Saudi鈥 panel, honoring individuals who have significantly advanced sustainability and environmental research. The recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include Prof. Iqbal Ismail, Prof. Samir Al-Solimani, and several other distinguished academics.

The minister then introduced the Sustainability Innovation Challenge Awards, which recognize companies excelling in sustainable practices. This year鈥檚 winners include ACWA Power for its achievements in renewable energy, NADEC for its sustainable agriculture innovations, and Tadweer for its leadership in waste management and recycling.

Finally, Al-Fadhli announced the winners of the Sustainability Innovation Challenge in the desertification category. The top project, 鈥淩ebalancing and Fueling Plant Growth,鈥 was awarded to a team from Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University for their innovative approach to restoring ecosystems using drought-resistant seeds and biostimulants.

The Kingdom鈥檚 hosting of COP16 underscores its commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. As the largest multilateral conference 海角直播 has ever hosted, COP16 serves as a platform for mobilizing international cooperation to address the urgent environmental challenges facing the planet.


海角直播鈥檚 ACWA Power signs multiple deals to supply clean energy to Europe

海角直播鈥檚 ACWA Power signs multiple deals to supply clean energy to Europe
Updated 21 July 2025

海角直播鈥檚 ACWA Power signs multiple deals to supply clean energy to Europe

海角直播鈥檚 ACWA Power signs multiple deals to supply clean energy to Europe

RIYADH: Saudi utility giant ACWA Power has signed multiple agreements to export renewable electricity and green hydrogen to Europe, marking a major step in the Kingdom鈥檚 efforts to become a global clean energy hub. 

The deals, signed during an international workshop in Riyadh under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy, aim to build integrated systems for cross-border energy exports. 

The event, titled 鈥淓xporting Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen,鈥 underscores 海角直播鈥檚 strategic push to lead the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor by leveraging its geographic position between East and West, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The agreements support the Kingdom鈥檚 target to generate 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and to become the world鈥檚 largest exporter of green hydrogen, with plans to produce 1.2 million tons annually by the end of the decade. 

The SPA report stated: 鈥淭he agreements and memoranda of understanding signed by ACWA Power at the workshop included a multilateral memorandum of understanding with leading European companies, including Italy鈥檚 Edison, France鈥檚 TotalEnergies, the Netherlands鈥 ZeroEurope, and Germany鈥檚 ENPW, to export electricity generated from renewable energy sources from the Kingdom to Europe, while assessing commercial potential and European market trends toward sustainable energy solutions.鈥 

ACWA Power also signed memoranduma of understanding with global leaders in electrical interconnection and high-voltage DC transmission technologies, including Italy鈥檚 CESI as an independent technical adviser, as well as Prysmian, GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, and Hitachi. The partnerships aim to develop advanced cross-border transmission corridors to enhance supply reliability and infrastructure efficiency.  

In collaboration with Germany鈥檚 EnBW, ACWA Power also launched the first phase of the Yanbu Green Hydrogen Hub, an integrated project designed to help meet global demand for low-emission energy. The facility is expected to begin commercial operations in 2030. 

The project will feature renewable electricity generation, water desalination, electrolysis units, hydrogen-to-ammonia conversion, and a dedicated export terminal. It is intended to support 海角直播鈥檚 ability to produce clean energy at competitive costs while meeting rising global industrial demand for sustainable energy solutions. 

The workshop and accompanying agreements highlight the Kingdom鈥檚 competitive advantages and reinforce its leadership in global energy transition efforts. The Ministry of Energy said the initiative supports 海角直播鈥檚 commitment to energy security, regional integration, and its Vision 2030 goals. 

With a net-zero emissions target by 2060, 海角直播 is investing heavily in both green and blue hydrogen. ACWA Power and Saudi Aramco are spearheading several major projects, including a hydrogen venture in NEOM, to solidify the Kingdom鈥檚 role in the future hydrogen economy. 


Egyptian PM directs government to prepare investment package for US firms

Egyptian PM directs government to prepare investment package for US firms
Updated 21 July 2025

Egyptian PM directs government to prepare investment package for US firms

Egyptian PM directs government to prepare investment package for US firms

RIYADH: Egypt鈥檚 prime minister has instructed his government to prepare a package of investment opportunities for US firms, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations.

In a meeting with his Cabinet ministers, Mostafa Madbouly stated that several opportunities are available, particularly given the significant advantages offered by the country鈥檚 government to foreign investors, according to Egypt鈥檚 State Information Service. 

Egypt is intensifying efforts to attract foreign direct investment as part of its broader economic reform agenda and Vision 2030 strategy for sustainable development. 

Amid global headwinds and domestic economic challenges, the Egyptian government has launched several initiatives to deepen economic partnerships with major international players, notably the US.

One key milestone in this effort was the US鈥揈gypt Policy Leaders Forum 2025, held in May, at which Madbouly announced that over 1,800 US companies are currently operating in the country, generating $47 billion in investments over the past two decades.

Discussing the latest Cabinet meeting, the Egyptian State Information Service reported that Madbouly 鈥渉ighlighted the government鈥檚 interest in supporting Egyptian-US relations in light of the strategic and historical ties between the two sides, noting the many opportunities for cooperation that could be exploited to support joint collaboration.鈥

The Egyptian prime minister added that his government is keen to remove all obstacles to joint cooperation, as well as to propose specific projects that will be discussed for collaboration in the upcoming period. 

During the gathering, Egypt鈥檚 Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, reviewed investment opportunities presented to US companies in sectors such as ports, maritime transport, and industrial zones. 

Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania El-Mashat outlined Egypt鈥檚 development cooperation efforts with the US, highlighting successful collaborative programs that contribute to the country鈥檚 development and further strengthen relations between the two sides.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Madbouly instructed all relevant authorities to coordinate on preparing a set of promising investment opportunities and to ensure they are presented to US companies, to boost foreign direct investment in Egypt.

Egypt, Germany in talks for 鈧100m debt swap deal

International Cooperation Minister Rania Al-Mashat spoke at a joint press conference in Cairo with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Germany鈥檚 Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali-Radovan. State Information Service

In another major development, Al-Mashat announced that the country is in talks with Germany over a new debt swap agreement worth 鈧100 million ($116.48 million), to be disbursed in two tranches. 

The first tranche is expected in December 2025 and the second in June 2026, according to the north African country鈥檚 State Information Service.

鈥淭hese negotiations reflect the strength of Egyptian-German development cooperation and shared priorities in supporting sustainable development projects,鈥 said Al-Mashat. 

According to Egypt鈥檚 Ministry of International Cooperation, the total value of debt swaps between Egypt and Germany would reach 鈧340 million with this new agreement.


Oil Updates 鈥 prices little changed as investors eye impact of new sanctions on Russia

Oil Updates 鈥 prices little changed as investors eye impact of new sanctions on Russia
Updated 21 July 2025

Oil Updates 鈥 prices little changed as investors eye impact of new sanctions on Russia

Oil Updates 鈥 prices little changed as investors eye impact of new sanctions on Russia
  • EU sanctions target Russian crude supply, impact uncertain
  • Iran nuclear talks for Friday may affect oil market dynamicsIran nuclear talks for Friday may affect oil market dynamics
  • US tariffs on EU imports could influence oil demand

SINGAPORE/BEIJING: Oil prices were little changed on Monday as traders assess the impact of new European sanctions on Russian oil supplies while they also worry about tariffs possibly weakening fuel demand as Middle East producers are raising output.

Brent crude futures dropped 10 cents to $69.18 a barrel by 8:55 a.m. Saudi time, after settling 0.35 percent lower on Friday. US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $67.33 a barrel, down 1 cent, following a 0.30 percent decline in the previous session.

The European Union approved on Friday the 18th package of sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, which also targeted India鈥檚 Nayara Energy, an exporter of oil products refined from Russian crude.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russia had built up a certain immunity to Western sanctions.

The EU sanctions followed US President Donald Trump鈥檚 threats last week to impose sanctions on buyers of Russian exports unless Russia agrees to a peace deal in 50 days.

ING analysts said the lack of reaction showed the oil market is not convinced by the effectiveness of these sanctions.

鈥淗owever, the part of the package likely to have the biggest market impact is the EU imposing an import ban on refined oil products processed from Russian oil in third countries,鈥 the analysts led by Warren Patterson said.

鈥淏ut clearly, it will be challenging to monitor crude oil inputs into refineries in these countries and, as a result, enforce the ban.鈥

Iran, another sanctioned oil producer, is due to hold nuclear talks in Istanbul with Britain, France and Germany on Friday, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday. That follows warnings by the three European countries that a failure to resume negotiations would lead to international sanctions being reimposed on Iran.

In the US, the number of operating oil rigs fell by two to 422 last week, the lowest since September 2021, Baker Hughes said on Friday.

US tariffs on European Union imports are set to kick in on August 1, although US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday he was confident the United States could secure a trade deal with the bloc.

鈥淯S tariff concerns will continue to weigh in the lead up to August 1 deadline, while some support may come from oil inventory data if it shows tight supply,鈥 IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said.

鈥淚t feels very much like a $64-$70 range in play for the week ahead.鈥

Brent crude futures have traded between a low of $66.34 a barrel and a high of $71.53 after a ceasefire deal on June 24 halted the 12-day Israel-Iran war.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 10,964

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 10,964
Updated 20 July 2025

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 10,964

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 10,964
  • Parallel market Nomu lost 0.48% to close at 27,162.60
  • MSCI Tadawul Index shed 0.4% to close at 1,405.02

RIYADH: 海角直播鈥檚 Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 42.27 points, or 0.38 percent, to close at 10,964.71.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR3.2 billion ($856 million), as 65 of the stocks advanced and 182 retreated. 

The Kingdom鈥檚 parallel market Nomu lost 132.37 points, or 0.48 percent, to close at 27,162.60. This comes as 27 of the listed stocks advanced while 51 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index lost 5.85 points, or 0.41 percent, to close at 1,405.02. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Tourism Enterprise Co., whose share price rose 9.2 percent to SR0.95. 

Other top performers included National Metal Manufacturing and Casting Co., whose share price rose 9.03 percent to SR16.91 , and Arab Sea Information System Co., whose share price increased 6.27 percent to SR5.59.

Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co., or Cenomi Retail, recorded the most significant drop, falling 9.95 percent to SR29.70.

SHL Finance Co. also saw its stock price fall 6.99 percent to SR21.70.

Alandalus Property Co. witnessed a decline of 6.31 percent to SR19.90.

On the announcements front, Aldrees Petroleum and Transport Services Co. disclosed its interim financial results for the period ending on June 30. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the firm recorded a net profit of SR99.7 million during the second quarter of the year, reflecting a 20.98 percent increase compared to the same period a year earlier.

The climb is mainly attributed to higher sales in the petrol and transport divisions, along with increased income from deposits, sukuk, and other sources, despite a decline in returns from the joint venture investment.

Marketing, selling, general, and administrative financing costs, along with Zakat expenses, have all risen. The total comprehensive income for the current quarter increased compared to the same quarter last year, primarily due to the remeasurement of employee-defined benefit obligations.

Aldrees Petroleum and Transport Services Co. ended the session at SR129.20, down 0.78 percent.

Cenomi Retail announced that it has been notified by a number of its substantial shareholders regarding the signing of a share purchase agreement with Al Futtaim Retail Co. for the sale of part of their stake in Cenomi Retail to Al Futtaim. 

According to a bourse filing, under the terms of the deal, the selling shareholders will transfer 57.3 million shares, representing 49.95 percent of the company鈥檚 total share capital, to Al Futtaim in a private transaction valued at SR2.52 billion, with each share priced at SR44.

Saudi Exchange has also announced the listing of Sport Clubs Co. shares on the main market on July 22.


海角直播 approves new Dammam-based budget airline backed by Air Arabia

海角直播 approves new Dammam-based budget airline backed by Air Arabia
Updated 20 July 2025

海角直播 approves new Dammam-based budget airline backed by Air Arabia

海角直播 approves new Dammam-based budget airline backed by Air Arabia
  • Eastern Province governor unveils $426 million aviation development package

RIYADH: 海角直播 has granted a low-cost airline license to an Air Arabia-led consortium, aiming to boost air connectivity, create jobs, and upgrade transport in the Eastern Province. 

The new carrier, a joint venture between the UAE-based budget airline, KUN Investment Holding, and Nesma, will be headquartered at Dammam鈥檚 King Fahd International Airport. It is expected to operate both domestic and international routes, helping expand access and competition in the Kingdom鈥檚 growing aviation market. 

According to the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the new airline aims to serve 24 domestic and 57 international destinations, transporting around 10 million passengers annually. Its operations will be supported by a fleet of 45 aircraft and are projected to create more than 2,400 direct jobs, aligning with 海角直播鈥檚 Vision 2030 goals to boost the non-oil economy and local employment. 

In a statement, GACA stated: 鈥淭his move aims to enhance air connectivity in the Eastern Province, increase seat capacity, and provide passengers with competitive options.鈥  

The announcement comes as part of broader efforts to transform 海角直播 into a regional aviation hub. The country plans to handle 330 million passengers and transport 4.5 million tons of air cargo annually by 2030, under the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services. 

As part of this strategy, Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz also inaugurated the master plans for King Fahd International, Al-Ahsa, and Al-Qaisumah airports, alongside a new corporate identity for Dammam Airports Co. The governor also launched a SR1.6 billion ($426 million) development package covering 77 infrastructure projects to improve passenger experience and airport services.   

King Fahd International Airport handled 12 million passengers in 2024, up 15 percent from the previous year, with over 99,000 flights recorded, according to data from Dammam Airports Co. The airport also set a daily passenger traffic record, surpassing 50,000 travelers in a single day for the first time.  

With air traffic steadily rising and infrastructure rapidly expanding, the introduction of a new budget airline based in Dammam is expected to solidify the region鈥檚 position as a key aviation gateway and support 海角直播鈥檚 ambitions to lead the Middle East civil aviation sector by the end of the decade.