King Salman on Sunday appointed Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Mubarak as governor of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) at the rank of minister.
He replaced Dr. Ahmed Alkholifey, who has held the position since May 2016.
It will be Al-Mubarak’s second stint as the central bank chief. Earlier, he served as SAMA governor from December 2011 to May 2016.
Al-Mubarak obtained a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas in the US. He obtained master’s degrees in business administration, engineering management and accounting and taxation. He obtained a Ph.D. in business administration at the University of Houston, Texas.
Al-Mubarak has worked in several key position in the Saudi economic sector and has accumulated years of experience in the private sector. He also served as chairman of the board of the Saudi stock exchange, Tadawul, from 2003 to 2011.
Before his appointment as SAMA chief, Al-Mubarak served as a minister of state and a member of the Saudi Cabinet since 2018. He was also the Kingdom’s G20 Sherpa.
He has been a royal court adviser since 2015 and secretary-general of the G20 Saudi Secretariat. He also served as a nonexecutive member of the SABIC board of directors’ investment committee from 2017 to 2019.
Al-Mubarak also remained a member of the Saudi Shoura Council from 1999 to 2005.
Al-Mubarak has also served on the board of several companies, including Al-Alamiya Insurance, Al-Malaz Group (2000 to 2002), Mobily (1998 to 2003), Saudi Hollandi Bank, National Industrialization and the Saudi Telecom Co. He was also chairman of the board of Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia from 2005 to 2011, and general manager of Rana Investment Co. from 1992 to 1999.
Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Mubarak, governor of the Saudi Central Bank
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Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Mubarak, governor of the Saudi Central Bank
Kingdom showcases maritime goals at London exhibition
- Event highlights smart projects, training initiatives, and global partnerships in the sector
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Transport General Authority, held an international exhibition in London to showcase its key initiatives and achievements in supporting the maritime transport industry.
The event was attended by senior officials and saw broad participation from International Maritime Organization member states, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Khalid bin Bandar and Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, along with government officials, embassy representatives, and maritime attaches.
The event highlighted the Kingdom’s role as an active partner in the international maritime system and a key contributor to developing global maritime regulations and practices, the SPA added.
It also reflected Saudi Arabia’s continued influence within the International Maritime Organization and its efforts to promote sustainability and improve the efficiency of maritime supply chains.
The exhibition showcased the academies and specialized centers established by the Kingdom, as well as initiatives to localize talent and train seafarers, officers, and marine engineers.
It also featured smart projects that support automation in the sector, enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, according to the SPA.
Prince Khalid said that the exhibition reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international cooperation, highlighting the Kingdom’s hospitality and pursuit of sustainable, collaborative maritime partnerships.
Al-Jasser said that the Kingdom is steadily moving toward leadership in maritime transport, driven by Vision 2030 and investments in talent and technology to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub.
In recent years, the Saudi maritime sector has grown rapidly, with the number of Saudi-flagged vessels reaching 409, totaling more than 100,000 gross tons and more than 16.5 million deadweight tons.
The number of registered Saudi seafarers has risen to 3,000, supported by specialized programs and regulatory initiatives that empower national maritime capabilities, the SPA reported.
These efforts build on Saudi Arabia’s active role in the International Maritime Organization, advancing the maritime transport industry through a vision that goes beyond fleet development or regulatory modernization.
It includes creating an advanced global maritime system based on operational excellence, human capital investment, and cutting-edge technology for a promising, sustainable future.
Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors
RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail has attracted more than 27,000 visitors from the city, across the Kingdom, and from Gulf and international destinations.
Running from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m. each evening, the 30-day Beit Hail Festival offers a rich blend of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Visitors can enjoy a diverse array of live performances and interactive heritage displays, recreating scenes from the past and presented by skilled male and female artisans.
Exhibits give younger generations a glimpse of how their ancestors transformed natural materials into functional items, showcasing the ingenuity and authenticity of Saudi heritage.
More than 40 activities allow visitors to explore traditional crafts such as wickerwork, sadu weaving, crochet, hand-woven textiles, and distinctive Najdi and Hail door making.
Other highlights include traditional clothing, Thamudic embroidery, wood and leather beading, fiber arts, resin art, and soap making, the SPA added.
Visitors can also savor a variety of traditional folk foods. At the heart of the festival, an artistic theater hosts performances, including the Hail Samri and Saudi Ardah.
The festival also provides a platform for local craftspeople to showcase their work directly to the public.
Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week
Riyadh: Saudi authorities arrested 21,058 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 12,558 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,500 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,000 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 2072 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 52 percent were Ethiopian, 47 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 28 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 37 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.
The 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 ($267,000), 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.
Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer
- Shopping festival, water sports, live music light up coastal city for 90 days of fun
JEDDAH: As part of this year’s Jeddah Season, summer events under the theme “Jeddah is Different” launched on Friday night at Jeddah Art Promenade, coinciding with the opening of several new zones for the summer vacation.
The program offers entertainment, culture and tourism across several main destinations, including the city’s iconic landmarks and key facilities.
The opening night featured drone shows, roaming performances and interactive characters, creating an engaging experience for families and visitors.
Throughout the summer, the season includes cultural experiences, entertainment shows, water activities, live music, shopping and other attractions, providing residents and visitors with diverse activities over 90 days.
It supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals by diversifying entertainment options and enhancing quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors.
Among the main attractions is the Jeddah Shopping Festival, combining traditional and modern markets, along with promotions and discounts at malls, hotels, airlines, car rentals and restaurants. The festival will run until Aug. 31.
This year’s season also features the West Coast zone in Obhur, offering entertainment on Jeddah’s coast, women-only beaches, and both day- and night-time activities.
Visitors can enjoy water sports and games at public and private beaches, relax at retreats like Kashta Beach and attend musical performances by the sea.
The Perfume Exhibition showcases a wide range of local and international perfumes, specialized workshops and exclusive launches, with experts and celebrities taking part.
The enclosed, air-conditioned Forest Wonders area offers interactive experiences, including live animal encounters, theatrical and roaming performances, and jungle-themed restaurants until Aug. 30.
Art enthusiasts can attend concerts and art events featuring Arab and Gulf stars, adding a creative dimension to the season.
Events remain open past midnight to avoid the summer heat. More events are expected to be announced later this year, spanning the cultural, artistic and tourism fields.
10 Riyadh travel, tourism offices closed over rules breaches
- The initiative aims to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and improve service quality across the Kingdom
RIYADH: Inspection teams from the Ministry of Tourism visited travel and tourism offices in Riyadh as part of the “Our Guests Are a Priority” campaign.
The initiative aims to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and improve service quality across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
In Riyadh, the inspections led to the closure of 10 offices for violations. The main offenses included operating without a license, organizing unauthorized Umrah and Hajj trips, transporting pilgrims in unlicensed vehicles, and housing worshippers in unregulated facilities in Makkah and Madinah.
The campaign is part of the ministry’s efforts to protect tourists’ rights and regulate tourism service providers. It targets unlicensed offices or those operating beyond their approved activities.
The ministry confirmed it will impose regulatory penalties on violators, including fines of up to SR50,000 ($13,300). For repeat offenses, fines can reach up to SR1 million.
Additional sanctions may include suspension or permanent closure of the office, depending on the severity of the violations. The ministry urged all licensed providers to comply with the terms of their licenses.
It also advised tourists to deal only with licensed and regulated providers to protect their rights and ensure a safe, reliable experience, the SPA reported.
Complaints about tourism and hospitality services can be reported to the Unified Tourism Call Center at 930.
