Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Development Company signs $2bn worth of contracts to date

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Updated 02 November 2020
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Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Development Company signs $2bn worth of contracts to date

  • More than 500 contracts have been awarded to companies from 24 countries, and work on the project’s transport links is underway

RIYADH: The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), which is behind the Kingdom’s flagship international tourism project, has signed SR7.5 billion ($2 billion) worth of contracts to date, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

More than 70 percent of the contracts’ total value has been awarded to Saudi firms, highlighting TRSDC’s commitment to strengthening the local economy.

“This significant landmark underscores the scale of our project and the remarkable progress made to create the destination of the future,” said TRSDC CEO John Pagano. “TRSDC is a contributing factor to the growth of the Saudi Arabian economy and is playing a pivotal role in its Vision 2030 plan. I am honored to be able to showcase the incredible advances our brilliant team and partners have achieved towards making our vision a reality.”

More than 500 contracts have been awarded to companies from 24 countries, and work on the project’s transport links is underway. It includes developing 80 kilometers of roads, highways and junctions to connect the destination and the new international airport.

A crossing is being built between Shurayrah Island - the destination’s main hub - to the mainland and a number of jetties are also being built.

Saudi Amana Contracting has delivered the first volumetric prefabricated units, which were built in a newly established facility in the Kingdom.

These units will form part of the Coastal Village development, a new town housing the 14,000 staff who will operate the destination once it is completed.

Construction Village, which will be home to 10,000 workers, is nearing completion with all of its cabins being built off-site, delivered and assembled. The onsite landscape nursery, which measures more than a million square meters, is operational and can deliver in excess of 15 million plants.

Last July, TRSDC signed its largest contract to date for airside infrastructure works for the project’s international airport that is set to open in 2022.

It is a joint venture between two leading Saudi contractors, Nesma & Partners Contracting Co. Ltd and Almabani General Contractors, and demonstrates TRSDC’s commitment to creating opportunities within the national construction sector.


 


Kingdom showcases defense innovation at Athens expo

The Saudi pavilion highlights the progress of Saudi military industries and the growing national capabilities in this vital sect
Updated 13 sec ago
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Kingdom showcases defense innovation at Athens expo

  • Saudi pavilion highlights advanced systems, strategic ties and investment potential

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is taking part for the first time in the Athens International Defense and Security Exhibition in Greece, held from May 6-8.

The Saudi pavilion is organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, with contributions from the General Authority for Defense Development and Saudi Arabian Military Industries.

The opening was attended by Ahmad Al-Ohali, governor of the General Authority for Military Industries; Lt. Gen. Fahd Al-Juhani, chief of staff of the Royal Saudi Land Forces; and Muhannad Al-Basrawi, charge d’affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Greece.

Al-Ohali and other officials toured the Saudi pavilion and were briefed on the advanced defense and security technologies on display.

The pavilion highlights the progress of Saudi military industries and growing national defense capabilities. It also showcases strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing international cooperation and localizing defense technologies.

Al-Ohali said that the Kingdom’s presence reflects its strategic position in military industries, its attractive investment environment and its efforts to localize more than 50 percent of military spending under the Vision 2030 reform plan.

The pavilion showcases Saudi Arabia’s defense industry ecosystem, including policies, regulations, national priorities and investor incentives. It also presents streamlined business processes, key achievements and major initiatives in the defense sector.

Participating countries and international companies are showcasing their latest systems in land, naval and aerial defense, as well as cybersecurity solutions.

The Saudi preence comes amid rapidly growing Saudi-Greek relations across multiple sectors, reflecting the strength of their strategic partnership — particularly in defense, where both countries share a common vision for regional security, stability and technological collaboration.


Saudi medical team begins to separate Egyptian conjoined twins

Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi medical team begins to separate Egyptian conjoined twins

  • Most delicate case ever undertaken by his team, says surgeon Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah

DUBAI: A medical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program began on Wednesday to separate Egyptian twins at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, advisor at the royal court and supervisor general of the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, who heads the team, said the twins are joined at the back, lower chest, abdomen and pelvis, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

One of the twins lacks essential organs, including a heart and head, and suffers from severe congenital defects, making survival impossible.

The complex operation is expected to last approximately 11 hours and will proceed in six stages.

It involves a multidisciplinary team of 26 consultants, specialists, and support staff in fields including anesthesia, neurosurgery, pediatric surgery, and plastic surgery.

Al-Rabeeah described the case as one of the most delicate the team has undertaken, noting the shared spinal canal as a major surgical challenge.

Advanced imaging and surgical microscopes will be used to ensure precision, he said.

This marks the 63rd separation procedure under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has reviewed 149 cases from 27 countries since its inception in 1990.


What’s the matcha with everyone? The beloved green tea powder hits mainstream in Saudi Arabia

Updated 07 May 2025
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What’s the matcha with everyone? The beloved green tea powder hits mainstream in Saudi Arabia

  • The Japanese tea’s rise in the Kingdom is a cultural shift, one green cup at a time

RIYADH: Once a niche ceremonial tea in Japan, matcha is now gaining mainstream popularity in Saudi Arabia, thanks to a growing interest in wellness trends, evolving taste preferences, and the rise of mindful living.

The data backs the trend. According to a recent report by IMARC Group, Saudi Arabia’s green tea market, which includes matcha, was valued at $140.14 million and is projected to grow to $229.24 million by 2033.

Imports of packaged green tea nearly doubled in value between 2020 and 2023, suggesting a growing appetite for premium, health-focused drinks.

That growing demand is reflected on cafe menus and social media feeds across the Kingdom. Matcha lattes, once limited to specialty coffee shops, are now a fixture at trendy cafes and home kitchens alike.

Whether it’s served iced in sleek glass cups or whisked at home with oat milk, matcha is more than a drink. It’s a mood, a personal statement, and for many, a healthier way to start the day.

In Dammam, 19-year-old Sara Anas remembers her first taste of matcha back in 2019. “My dad likes trying new things,” she said. “It didn’t taste that great at first, but when matcha became popular in 2021, I got excited to try it again from local cafes.”

Now, she drinks it almost daily. “It might sound strange, but I don’t feel like it’s heavy on my body like coffee. It makes me feel more relaxed and gives me energy in a better way.”

Anas is part of a growing demographic. In Riyadh, 26-year-old Amal Al-Mutairi starts every morning with matcha. “I prefer it iced with vanilla milk to make the flavor smoother and lighter,” she said.

For her, the appeal began with reading about its benefits. “It gives me calm energy without the jitters or crash I usually feel after drinking coffee. It also helps me focus for longer periods.”

That calm, focused energy — often described as a “cleaner” caffeine experience — has made matcha especially popular among students and professionals.

For Anas, it’s a campus essential. “It’s a must before classes! It gives me the energy to continue my day at uni,” she said.

But matcha is more than functional. It’s become a lifestyle, embraced for both its wellness claims and its visual charm.

Globally, matcha’s rise is part of a broader wellness boom. Japan’s matcha production rose 185 percent from 2010 to 2023, and demand is now so high that suppliers are warning of shortages. Japan’s top growers have begun limiting exports to meet domestic needs.

Matcha’s health appeal is not just hype. Rich in antioxidants — especially a compound called EGCG — studies suggest it may reduce inflammation, support cardiovascular health, and aid cognitive function.

A recent Saudi study also found that over half of the participants believed matcha could help with weight management and blood sugar balance.

Still, experts note that moderation matters. Excessive matcha consumption may interfere with iron absorption and isn’t recommended for everyone.

The ritual of preparing matcha, especially for those who make it themselves, has become part of a broader shift toward slow, intentional living — something many young Saudis are leaning into.

That ritual is deeply personal for 27-year-old Leen Al-Zamil, who turned matcha from curiosity into a daily indulgence. “I was curious at first and honestly, I hated it so much, but I think (that’s) because it was hot,” she said. “I liked it cold with vanilla syrup and oat milk. I definitely can’t drink it alone.”

Now, she can’t go a day without it. “Sometimes twice or more,” she said. “I like its color … I enjoy every step of making it, and it just tastes so good. It brightens my mood.”

Al-Zamil is not the only one who sees matcha as more than just a drink.

For 28-year-old Mona Abdullah, matcha represents healing. “As someone who suffers from IBS, coffee tends to affect me for a while, whereas matcha provides steady energy without causing any discomfort,” she said. “I’ve stopped drinking coffee for the past three months. I now believe that matcha is a better source of caffeine compared to black coffee.”

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common digestive condition. Many people with IBS find that coffee, with its acidity and high caffeine content, can trigger discomfort, making gentler alternatives like matcha a preferred choice. 

Abdullah drinks it twice a day, iced, and without any added flavors. “Health,” she says, is what made her switch.

Still, matcha’s appeal goes beyond health — it’s also about aesthetics and culture. “I think it’s a mix of everything,” said Al-Mutairi. “The health benefits, the taste, and yes, the aesthetic.”

Anas echoed that idea, noting that people’s motivations vary. “For me, it’s for its health benefits and for the taste. You don’t usually get a healthy drink with a good taste,” she said. “But I think there are a lot of people who drink it just for the aesthetic. You see them adding hundreds of syrups just to say they drink matcha.”

That blend of wellness and image — serious health meets playful branding — has fueled matcha’s surge on social media. With its bright green hue, minimalist packaging, and frequent cameos in cafe selfies, matcha has become the drink of the “soft life” movement, one that prioritizes peace, balance, and pleasure.

“It’s definitely the vibe and the taste,” said Al-Zamil.

In a country where coffee culture runs deep, matcha is not replacing tradition; it’s offering something new: a blend of taste, lifestyle, and personal meaning, one bright green cup at a time.


GCC chief receives newly appointed Omani ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Updated 06 May 2025
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GCC chief receives newly appointed Omani ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi received Sayyid Najib bin Hilal Al-Busaidi, Oman’s newly appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi congratulated Al-Busaidi on his appointment and wished him success in his duties.

The parties discussed various topics and explored ways to enhance bilateral efforts toward “greater integration, solidarity, and interconnectedness.”

They also looked at the latest developments in regional and international arenas.


Riyadh hospital advances breast tumor diagnosis

Updated 06 May 2025
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Riyadh hospital advances breast tumor diagnosis

  • The new CEM-guided approach allows immediate, accurate tissue sampling during the same session, eliminating the need for additional appointments

RIYADH: The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh has implemented an advanced interventional technique to diagnose breast tumors that conventional imaging cannot detect.

It enables physicians to obtain precise biopsy samples during the same visit, accelerating diagnosis and allowing earlier treatment, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The shift addresses recent cases where certain breast abnormalities were only visible through contrast-enhanced imaging, leading the hospital to adopt contrast-enhanced mammography as a precise clinical tool.

Previously, the standard protocol required a separate MRI-guided biopsy after initial imaging, often resulting in redundant procedures, greater patient burden, higher costs and treatment delays.

In contrast, the new CEM-guided approach allows immediate, accurate tissue sampling during the same session, eliminating the need for additional appointments.