Top hospitality firm selected to operate Cloud7 Residence in AlUla

The Cloud7 Residence AlUla will be home to 150 serviced bungalows in the initial phase and it will be transformed into a true community in 2023 where people can live and work or visit for a short stay. Supplied
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Updated 04 April 2023
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Top hospitality firm selected to operate Cloud7 Residence in AlUla

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla and the AlUla Development Co. have chosen Kerten Hospitality to manage and operate a new facility in AlUla under one of the group’s lifestyle brands: Cloud7.

The Cloud7 Residence AlUla will be home to 150 serviced bungalows in the initial phase and it will be transformed into a true community in 2023 where people can live and work or visit for a short stay.

Collaborations with local artists, food-preneurs, and businesses will stand at the forefront of supporting local businesses by bringing them together within a self-sufficient ecosystem.

Kerten Hospitality, owns and operates a collection of bespoke brands for hotels, residences, serviced apartments, serviced offices, restaurants, entertainment, and wellness, that aim to transform spaces through impactful local collaborations, innovation, and the creation of unique experiences.

“The opening of the Cloud7 Residence, operated by Kerten Hospitality, is an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to expand and diversify AlUla’s hospitality offerings,” said John Northen, vice president, head of hotels and resorts, Royal Commission for AlUla.

Kerten Hospitality’s operations in the Kingdom are tripling in 2023, as the group is strongly invested in the delivery of Vision 2030.

Rolf Lippuner, CEO of AlUla Development Company commented: “We are thrilled to collaborate with RCU to announce this exciting partnership with Kerten Hospitality which will position the Cloud7 Residence as a place to live, work and visit. We look forward to announcing more partnerships.”

Cloud7’s vision is to create a unique and affordable community, led by local talent which will contribute to the mission of the Royal Commission for AlUla to create employment locally and accelerate the development plans for AlUla and position the region as a global tourism hub while preserving the heritage sites in the area.

Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality said: “We’re proud to support the development plan for AlUla working hand in hand with its visionary leadership.”


Saudi Arabia, Spain sign MoU to boost SME sectors and deepen economic ties

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Saudi Arabia, Spain sign MoU to boost SME sectors and deepen economic ties

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Spain are set to strengthen cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises thanks to a wide-ranging agreement across key sectors.

The memorandum of understanding, signed by Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim and Spanish Minister of Economy, Trade and Business Carlos Cuerpo in Riyadh, outlines joint efforts in economic modeling and policy-making.

It aims to back SMEs through partnerships and initiatives, as well as facilitating joint projects and bilateral participation in economic events, according to a statement by the Ministry of Economy and Planning.

The agreement comes as the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan aims to further elevate the SME sector’s contribution to 35 percent of the gross domestic product by the end of the decade as part of its economic diversification initiative.

The signing of the agreement coincided with the fourth session of the Saudi-Spanish Joint Commission, which convened in Riyadh. The meeting was co-chaired by Al-Ibrahim and Cuerpo, with senior officials from both countries in attendance.

“Officials from both sides joined the session to discuss ongoing and future initiatives aimed at enhancing economic, social, and cultural collaboration between the two countries,” the Ministry of Economy and Planning said on X.

The session focused on strengthening economic, social, and cultural ties, reflecting the deep-rooted partnership and shared ambitions between the Kingdom and Spain.

The MoU also includes the exchange of information and statistics related to industry, technology and innovation with the objective of achieving sustainable development goals within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030.​

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Cuerpo described the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Spain as a strong and deepening economic partnership, highlighting the Kingdom’s central role as the European country’s primary trade partner in the region and noting the steady growth in bilateral trade in recent years.

“I say over the past three years, it’s grown by 13 percent. Investment has grown, also, heavily over the past few years. But there is still room for us to grow, for us to further collaborate and further diversify our relations, particularly in terms of investment, and particularly also in terms of the presence of Spanish companies here and also of Saudi companies in Spain,” Cuerpo said.

He continued: “Just look at the presence of Spanish companies in the Kingdom, it has grown by 60 percent over the course of the past three years, and in particular in key sectors for the Vision 2030 like energy, infrastructure or others — water, for example.”

In October, Bandar Alkhorayef, minister of industry and mineral resources, discussed ways to develop economic relations with Cuerpo and increase Spain’s investments in Saudi Arabia.

Alkhorayef highlighted the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and, through various incentives, attract foreign investment in the industrial and mining sectors.


Qatar tourism sector accounts for 8% of GDP, official says 

Updated 33 min 29 sec ago
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Qatar tourism sector accounts for 8% of GDP, official says 

RIYADH: Qatar’s tourism industry contributed 55 billion Qatari riyals ($15.1 billion) to the country’s gross domestic product in 2024, accounting for 8 percent of total economic output, according to a senior official.  

The figure marks a 14 percent increase compared with 2023, Chairman of Qatar Tourism Saad bin Ali Al-Kharji said during a high-level business forum in Doha, the country’s news agency reported. 

The uptick aligns with the Gulf nation’s broader Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to boost the sector’s contribution to 12 percent of GDP and attract 6 million visitors by the end of the decade. 

The report stated: “His Excellency highlighted some of 2024’s achievements, which saw international visitor arrivals reached 5 million, a 25 percent year-on-year increase, with in-destination spend totaling nearly QAR 40 billion.”  

It added: “The hospitality sector also achieved a key milestone, recording 10 million room nights sold during the year.”  

Speaking during a panel discussion titled “Tourism in Focus” at the 5th edition of the Qatar Economic Forum, Al-Kharji emphasized the global shift in travel demand toward lifestyle-oriented and purpose-driven experiences, such as wellness retreats, cultural immersion, and luxurious nature-based getaways. 

He further noted that travelers are increasingly prioritizing experiences like personalized accommodations, culinary adventures, and curated cultural activities over traditional material purchases. 

“Qatar’s strategy aligns with these trends, focusing on six high-potential demand spaces and delivering 54 strategic projects across product development, regulation, and visitor experience enhancement,” the QNA report stated.  

The chairman highlighted that his organization is working closely with the Ministry of Public Health to develop a dedicated health tourism strategy, with several plans already approved. 

The Gulf nation ranks among the highest spenders on healthcare, allocating up to 12 percent of its annual budget to the sector, and Al-Kharji added further investments will boost tourism related to the industry.

Qatar is also gearing up to host several major international sporting events in the coming years, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup annually from 2025 to 2029, the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027, and the 2030 Asian Games. 

The chairman underscored Qatar’s commitment to combining luxury with sustainability across all projects, citing examples such as the Ras Abu Aboud Resort and the Qatar National Convention Centre. The center was the first venue in the region to be certified for both luxury and sustainability, alongside Msheireb Downtown Doha, which was developed to embody both eco-consciousness and upscale living. 

According to figures released in May, Qatar welcomed over 1.5 million international visitors in the first quarter of 2025, as the country continues to advance its tourism strategy built on major events, strategic partnerships, and diverse travel experiences. 

While slightly below the 1.6 million visitors recorded during the same period in 2024, the latest figures underscore Qatar’s sustained momentum in attracting global travelers.


Oil Updates — prices fall more than 1% on OPEC+ output hike discussion

Updated 22 May 2025
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Oil Updates — prices fall more than 1% on OPEC+ output hike discussion

SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell more than 1 percent on Thursday following a report that OPEC+ is discussing a production increase for July, stoking concerns any potential increase in global supply would exceed demand growth.

Brent futures fell $1.05, or 1.62 percent, to $63.86 a barrel by 9:51 a.m. Saudi time, while US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 97 cents, or 1.58 percent, to $60.60.

Members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, known as OPEC+, are discussing whether to make another large output increase for a third month in July at their meeting on June 1, Bloomberg News reported.

An output hike of 411,000 barrels a day for July is among the options under discussion, although no final agreement has yet been reached, the report said, citing delegates.

OPEC+ has been in the process of unwinding its output cuts with additions to the market in May and June and Reuters has previously reported that the group may bring back as much as 2.2 million bpd by November.

Analysts have been anticipating the move and in a note on Wednesday, RBC Capital analyst Helima Croft said a 411,000 bpd increase from July is the “most likely outcome” from the meeting, primarily from Saudi Arabia.

“A key question will be whether the voluntary cut will be fully drawn down before the leaves turn brown in many parts of the world in line with the original taper schedule,” she said.

Prices were already lower in the session after Energy Information Administration data released on Wednesday showed US crude and fuel inventories posted surprise stock builds last week as crude imports hit a six-week high and gasoline and distillate demand slipped.

Crude inventories rose by 1.3 million barrels to 443.2 million barrels in the week ended May 16, the EIA said. Analysts in a Reuters poll had expected a 1.3 million-barrel drawdown.

“The EIA’s reported surprise stock builds will have a downward pressure particularly on WTI,” said Emril Jamil, a senior analyst at LSEG Oil Research. He added this could further incentivise more US exports to Europe and Asia. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index ends lower at 11,303 

Updated 21 May 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index ends lower at 11,303 

  • MSCI Tadawul 30 Index lost 19.78 points to close at 1,441.01
  • Parallel market Nomu declined 110.94 points to end at 27,417.62

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed in the red on Wednesday, falling 134.5 points, or 1.18 percent, to settle at 11,303.68. 

The total trading turnover reached SR4.37 billion ($1.16 billion), with 37 stocks advancing and 206 declining. 

The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also dropped, losing 19.78 points, or 1.35 percent, to close at 1,441.01. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu declined by 110.94 points, or 0.40 percent, to close at 27,417.62, with 26 stocks gaining and 49 retreating. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Saudi Arabia Refineries Co., rising 4.38 percent to SR69.10. 

Other top gainers included Perfect Presentation for Commercial Services Co., whose share price rose 3.37 percent to SR11.66, and SHL Finance Co., which gained 2.22 percent to SR20.30. 

The day’s largest decline was seen in National Gypsum Co., with its share price dipping 4.76 percent to SR20.4. 

ACWA Power Co. saw its shares drop 4.40 percent to SR274, while Al-Rajhi Co. for Cooperative Insurance declined 4.17 percent to SR115. 

On the announcements front, ACWA Power said it has received approval from the Capital Market Authority to proceed with a SR7.12 billion capital increase through a rights issue. 

The CMA’s decision, issued on May 20, allows the company to offer, register, and list rights issue shares — pending shareholder approval at an upcoming extraordinary general assembly. 

The rights issue was first disclosed on Dec. 19, when ACWA Power submitted its application to the CMA. 

Alinma Bank has successfully completed a $500 million issuance of dollar-denominated sustainable Additional Tier 1 capital certificates under its Tier 1 Capital Certificate Issuance Programme. 

The offering targets eligible investors in Saudi Arabia and internationally, with settlement expected on May 28. 

The issuance comprises 2,500 certificates, each with a par value of $200,000, offering an annual return of 6.5 percent. These perpetual instruments are callable after 5.5 years. 

The certificates will be listed on the International Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange and were offered exclusively under Regulation S of the US Securities Act of 1933. 

During Wednesday’s session, Alinma Bank shares rose 0.18 percent to close at SR27.50 on the main market. 

Flynas has set the final offer price for its initial public offering at SR80 per share following the successful completion of the institutional book-building process, which was oversubscribed by 99.8 times, according to a statement.

BSF Capital, Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia, and Goldman Sachs Saudi Arabia, acting as joint financial advisors, co-underwriters, and joint bookrunners for the IPO, confirmed that institutional investors subscribed in full to the 51,255,568 ordinary shares allocated in the first phase, representing 100 percent of the total offered.

Following this, up to 20 percent of the total offering will be allocated to retail investors in the second phase of the IPO.

Saudi Fransi Capital, serving as lead manager, announced that all necessary arrangements have been completed with receiving agents to facilitate the individual subscription process, which will run for three days from May 28 until June 1 at 12:00 p.m.


Saudi Arabia’s PIF halts Swiss financial market investments over Credit Suisse fallout

Updated 21 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s PIF halts Swiss financial market investments over Credit Suisse fallout

  • Decision driven by how Swiss regulators handled 2023 government-backed rescue of Credit Suisse by UBS Group
  • PIF continues to expand footprint across Europe, signaling redirection of capital

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will no longer allocate capital to Switzerland’s financial markets, two years after suffering losses from the collapse of Credit Suisse.

During the FII PRIORITY Europe Summit in Albania, PIF Gov. Yasir Al-Rumayyan said that the decision was driven by the manner in which Swiss regulators handled the 2023 government-backed rescue of Credit Suisse by UBS Group, reported Bloomberg.

The abrupt deal was executed without shareholders’ approval, impacting investors across the Middle East.

PIF, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, is reassessing its investment strategy amid growing concerns over regulatory stability and investor protection.

The fund’s decision to halt investments in Switzerland’s financial markets marks a significant shift in its approach, underscoring the long-term impact of the 2023 Credit Suisse collapse on regional and institutional investor confidence.

PIF also continues to expand its footprint across Europe, signaling a redirection of capital.

“We’re not going to invest in the financial markets in Switzerland. If you change something overnight and wipe out all of your investors, this is a big red flag,” Al-Rumayyan said, as reported by Bloomberg.

The remarks were made during an on-stage discussion with Noel Quinn, newly appointed chairman of Zurich-based Julius Baer Group Ltd.

Quinn responded: “As the chairman of a Swiss bank as of 10 days ago, that concerns me.”

The 2023 acquisition of Credit Suisse was finalized rapidly following a sharp decline in its stock price.

The plunge became worse after the former chairman of the Saudi National Bank, Ammar Al-Khudairy, said the bank would “absolutely not” be open to further investments in Credit Suisse.

“The deal didn’t receive approval from either Credit Suisse or UBS shareholders as regulators and lawmakers rushed to contain a crisis of confidence that was spreading across global markets,” according to Bloomberg.

The 2023 acquisition of Credit Suisse was finalized rapidly following a sharp decline in its stock price. Shutterstock

At the time, shareholders from the Middle East, including SNB and the Qatar Investment Authority, collectively held around 20 percent of Credit Suisse.

SNB, which was the largest shareholder in the Swiss lender, had called on Credit Suisse to reject the offer from UBS, Bloomberg reported.

Other investors had cautioned that the Swiss government’s decision to override standard merger procedures and sideline shareholder votes could deter institutional investors.

Legal analysts also warned that the rushed nature of the transaction had undermined Switzerland’s standing as a reliable investment destination where the rule of law is safeguarded.

Al-Rumayyan’s remarks came as PIF announced plans to open a subsidiary office in Paris and committed to doubling its investments in Europe to $170 billion by the beginning of the next decade.

The fund has already deployed approximately $85 billion across the region between 2017 and 2024, making strategic investments in key European economies, including the UK, France, and Italy.