Saudi Green Initiative steps up its drive against plastic pollution

The world produces around 400 million tons of plastic annually, and just 9 percent of it gets recycled. What's worse? Almost 130,000 tons of plastic waste end up in the ocean every year. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 04 June 2023
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Saudi Green Initiative steps up its drive against plastic pollution

RIYADH: As the world is getting choked by plastic pollution, the planet is set to ring in another Environment Day on June 5, focused on ending the nondegradable waste’s disastrous effects. 

According to the UN Environment Programme, the world produces around 400 million tons of plastic annually, and just 9 percent of it gets recycled. What is worse? Almost 130,000 tons of plastic waste end up in the ocean every year. 

Within three years of its launch, the Saudi Green Initiative is playing a crucial role regionally in protecting the environment and reducing the use of plastic. 

Throughout these three years, the initiatives of the SGI have supported international efforts to remove plastic from oceans, develop innovative waste management systems at a national level and divert waste from landfill sites.

Catalyzing the SGI’s ambition to ensure a sustainable future, Saudi Basic Industries Corp. is participating in the Alliance to End Plastic Waste Program to clean plastic from the oceans.

The initiative, expected to be completed in 2025, supports accelerated improvements to current waste management systems in developed regions.

Earlier in January, SABIC reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the circular carbon economy by announcing plans to process 1 million metric tons of plastics through its Trucircle solutions initiative.

Trucircle is a portfolio of products SABIC offers, which include circular and bio-based products based on second- and third-generation renewable feedstock, mechanically recycled polymers, ocean and ocean-bound recycled solutions, and closed-loop services and designs for recyclability.

Meanwhile, Saudi Investment Recycling Co. and National Center for Waste Management are leading an initiative to transform waste management in Riyadh. This program aims to divert 94 percent of waste generated in Riyadh away from landfills and compost more than 1.3 million tons of biodegradable waste.

This program aims to create a proven waste management model that will be implemented across the Kingdom by 2035, which is expected to reduce 4.1 metric tons per annum of carbon dioxide emissions. 

Moreover, a separate SGI initiative with the NCWM is developing a comprehensive national waste management master plan for the Kingdom, pioneering circular economy practices. This project is expected to be completed by 2025. 

The SGI, inspired by Saudi Arabia’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, has also launched several initiatives, including investing in new energy sources, improving energy efficiency and developing a carbon capture and storage program. 

Furthermore, the SGI has also committed to planting 10 billion trees across Saudi Arabia and rehabilitating 40 million hectares of land to restore the Kingdom’s natural beauty. 

Earlier in April, the annual report issued by the National Transformation Program suggested that Saudi Arabia planted over 12 million trees in the past five years through the National Center for Vegetation Development.

Since the launch of the SGI, Saudi Arabia has planted 18 million trees within the Kingdom, of which 13 million are mangroves. Regionally, the SGI plans to plant 50 billion trees across the Middle East and restore an area equivalent to 200 million hectares of degraded land which will, in turn, reduce global carbon levels by 2.5 percent.

As part of the SGI’s initiatives, Saudi Arabia has also committed to protecting 30 percent of its terrestrial and marine area and is working in partnership with leading international organizations, including the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, to safeguard the pristine landscapes of the Kingdom.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,411 

Updated 04 May 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,411 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 132.17 points, or 1.14 percent, to close at 11,411.50. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR3.5 billion ($944.3 million), as 41 stocks advanced and 198 retreated.    

Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 116.45 points, or 0.41 percent, to close at 28,013.32. This comes as 30 of the listed stocks advanced while 39 retreated.    

The MSCI Tadawul Index lost 20.74 points, or 1.41 percent, to close at 1,451.17.     

The best-performing stock of the day was Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction Co., whose share price surged 2.77 percent to SR25.95.   

Other top performers included National Industrialization Co., which saw its share price rise 2.26 percent to SR9.49, and Arabian Contracting Services Co., whose share price increased 1.69 percent to SR132.00. 

Zahrat Al Waha for Trading Co. recorded the most significant drop, falling 7.05 percent to SR27.70. 

Saudi Automotive Services Co. saw its stock prices fall 5.67 percent to SR61.50. 

Emaar The Economic City also saw its stock prices decline 4.50 percent to SR14.00. 

On the announcements front, Dar Alarkan Real Estate Development Co. reported its interim financial results for the period ending March 31. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the company posted a net profit of SR209.34 million in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 36.2 percent increase compared to the same quarter in 2024.  

The rise in net income was primarily driven by higher property sales. Increased lease revenues, lower finance costs, and greater non-operating income from Islamic Murabaha deposits also contributed to the gains, though these were partially offset by higher operating expenses and reduced earnings from associates. 

Dar Alarkan Real Estate Development Co. ended the session at SR21.04, down 1.05 percent. 

Saudi Aramco Base Oil Co. – Luberef has announced its interim financial results for the first quarter of 2025. A bourse filing showed the company recorded a net profit of SR221.5 million for the period ending March 31, reflecting a 7.3 percent decline compared to the same quarter last year. The drop in earnings was mainly due to lower by-product crack margins, despite an increase in base oil crack margins. 

Luberef’s shares closed the session at SR98.70, down 0.20 percent. 

Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group has announced its interim financial results for the period ending March 31. According to a Tadawul statement, the firm posted a net profit of SR557.01 million in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 1.09 percent increase compared to the same quarter in 2024. The growth was primarily driven by higher revenue, although fixed operating costs from recent strategic expansions have temporarily weighed on profit margins. These expansions are still ramping up and are expected to gradually reach full operational efficiency. 

The company’s shares closed at SR289.00, down 2.15 percent. 

The National Agricultural Development Co. reported its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2025, posting a net profit of SR103.42 million for the period ending March 31 — a 2.06 percent rise compared to the year-earlier period.  

The increase was supported by higher revenue, reduced general and administrative expenses, stronger operating profit, and increased treasury income. These gains were partially offset by higher cost of sales, increased impairment losses on trade and other receivables, and a decline in finance costs. 

NADEC shares ended the session at SR22.20, down 1.54 percent. 

Saudi Basic Industries Corp. announced a net loss of SR1.21 billion for the first quarter of 2025, compared to a net profit of SR250 million in the same period last year. The loss was primarily due to a SR1.05 billion decline in gross profit, driven by higher feedstock prices and increased operating expenses. These included non-recurring costs of SR1.07 billion linked to a strategic restructuring initiative aimed at improving long-term performance and reducing costs. 

SABIC shares closed at SR60.70, down 2.77 percent. 


Jeddah unveils 29 real estate projects across industrial, residential, retail sectors

Updated 04 May 2025
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Jeddah unveils 29 real estate projects across industrial, residential, retail sectors

RIYADH: Jeddah Municipality has announced 29 new investment opportunities across more than 1.4 million sq. meters, targeting sectors such as commercial, industrial, residential, and recreation. 

Jeddah’s investment package includes 13 commercial opportunities featuring developing and operating retail shops and commercial complexes across various districts. The initiatives include the development of an integrated container city spanning 846,684 sq. meters and a second container park at 429,223 sq. meters.  

This latest undertaking also follows a similar wave of investment opportunities recently launched in Riyadh, underscoring a nationwide push to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and enhance urban livability.  

Jeddah’s additional projects feature a 145,472-sq.-meter barley milling and packaging facility, eight worker residential compounds, and eight public parks equipped with kindergartens and retail outlets.  

A food truck zone under the municipal incubator program in South Obhur has also been introduced. In the education sector, a health college project has been announced.   

The strategically distributed initiatives aim to meet neighborhood needs while ensuring synergy between activities.   

The municipality has invited investors to submit proposals through the Furas Saudi investment portal. It noted that the bid submissions will be accepted from May 1 until July 8, as per the scheduled timeline. The Furas portal streamlines investor access, reflecting a unified approach to municipal investments.  

This undertaking underscores Jeddah’s commitment to economic growth and urban development in alignment with national objectives. 

Riyadh’s 2025 investment portfolio — spanning commercial, industrial, and leisure projects — mirrors the Kingdom’s strategic focus on private-sector-driven development under Vision 2030. 

In March, the Riyadh Municipality unveiled 20 new investment prospects across 175,000 sq. meters, including mixed-use spaces, retail hubs, and industrial zones, with contracts ranging from five to 25 years.  

Key districts like Jarir, Al-Rawdah, and Al-Qadisiyah are prioritized to ensure balanced growth. Complementing these efforts, the city has expanded its green infrastructure, adding 87 parks since 2022 to reach over 745,000 sq. meters of green space — transforming them into multifunctional community venues. 

These parallel initiatives highlight Saudi cities’ commitment to sustainable urbanization, economic diversification, and elevated quality of life, cementing the Kingdom’s position as a regional leader in transformative urban development. 


Saudi Arabia rolls out new guidelines for off-plan property deals

Updated 04 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia rolls out new guidelines for off-plan property deals

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has issued a detailed procedural guide to implement its previously approved off-plan real estate regulation, aiming to enhance transparency, protect buyers, and formalize developer obligations.

The new framework was formally approved by Real Estate General Authority CEO Abdullah bin Saud Al-Hammad on May 2 and took effect immediately, according to the official gazette Umm Al-Qura.

This guide is part of the regulatory rollout following the Cabinet’s 2023 decision to formalize off-plan real estate sales and leasing. It is designed to strengthen investor confidence in a sector that accounts for approximately 7 percent of Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product and plays a crucial role in supporting related industries such as construction and finance.

In a post on its official X handle, REGA stated: “The Real Estate Authority issued the procedural guide for the sale and rent of real estate projects off-plan, with the aim of clarifying the requirements of the procedures that regulate and control the stages of licensing, marketing, selling, leasing, and managing real estate projects off-plan, including requests for amendments or changes, opening and managing an escrow account, and other regulatory procedures.”

The updated model outlines 55 defined scenarios, covering applications by legal and individual developers to register or update their status, improve evaluation scores, or request project modifications. It also details processes for certifying completion, changing contractors, switching project banks, and reallocating escrowed funds.

Refunds to buyers from escrow accounts are permitted in cases such as the cancellation of marketing permits, project delays exceeding 180 days, or failure to secure a sales license. The guide also addresses scenarios involving project restructuring, title transfers, license revocations, and developer substitutions for delayed projects.

The reforms are intended to provide legal clarity and investor assurance as off-plan development becomes an increasingly prominent feature of the Kingdom’s residential and commercial real estate landscape.

Legal entities and individuals seeking to develop off-plan properties must now comply with strict registration and reporting requirements, including updates to developer evaluations and the appointment of certified consultants and accountants.

The regulatory update underscores Saudi Arabia’s push to build a robust legal infrastructure for its real estate sector, positioning the Kingdom as a competitive and secure environment for local and foreign investors.


Qatar welcomes over 1.5m international visitors in Q1 2025

Updated 04 May 2025
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Qatar welcomes over 1.5m international visitors in Q1 2025

RIYADH: Qatar received more than 1.5 million international visitors in the first quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures, as the country continues to push forward with its comprehensive tourism strategy anchored in major events, strategic partnerships, and diverse travel offerings.

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

Visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council countries accounted for 36 percent of arrivals, followed by Europe at 28 percent and Asia and Oceania at 20 percent, underscoring Qatar’s growing appeal across varied markets.

The increase aligns with the nation’s long-term objective of drawing six million visitors annually by 2030. It also coincides with the third phase of the Qatar National Development Strategy (2024–2030), launched in January 2024, which designates tourism as a critical pillar in the country’s economic diversification agenda.

“The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate some of the planned outputs of our long-term approach to tourism development,” said Saad Bin Ali Al-Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism and chair of the board of directors of Visit Qatar.

“Part of the development transcends into deepening collaboration across local, regional and international markets and continue to diversify source markets, enhance visitor experiences, and reinforce Qatar’s position as a dynamic, year-round destination. We are excited to have welcomed 1.5M in Q1 and look forward to welcoming more guests throughout this year,” he added.

Qatar’s multi-access strategy also appears to be paying off. Of the total visitors, 51 percent arrived by air, 34 percent by land, and 15 percent by sea.

During the Eid Al-Fitr holidays, the country recorded its highest holiday visitor count in three years, attracting 214,000 travelers over an eight-day period — a 26 percent increase from 2024. Nearly half (49 percent) of those visitors came from GCC countries, representing an 18 percent year-on-year rise. Hotel occupancy during this period reached 77 percent, up from 67 percent the previous year.

The hospitality industry reported robust performance overall in Q1, with an average hotel occupancy rate of 71 percent and 2.6 million room nights sold. Key drivers included major international events such as Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, and the Qatar International Food Festival.

Reinforcing its position as a regional tourism hub, Qatar also hosted the 51st UN Tourism Regional Committee for the Middle East. The gathering focused on leveraging the country's strengths in sports, innovation, and infrastructure to promote sustainable tourism across the region.

Looking ahead, Qatar is set to continue its tourism push with a strong slate of upcoming events. The country will annually host the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organization through 2030. Additional highlights include the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, the Visit Qatar E1 Grand Prix of Electric Boats, and a series of high-profile festivals and sports events, all aimed at enriching Qatar’s tourism offerings and supporting its continued growth.


Syria to sign deal to import electricity from Turkiye, minister says

Updated 04 May 2025
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Syria to sign deal to import electricity from Turkiye, minister says

CAIRO: Syria is set to sign a deal to import electricity from Turkiye through a 400-kilovolt transmission line between the two countries “soon,” the Syrian state news agency cited the country’s energy minister as saying on Sunday.
Syria is also working on establishing a natural gas pipeline connecting the Turkish border town of Kilis and Syria’s northern city of Aleppo, minister Mohamed Al-Bashir said.
“The pipeline will allow the supply of 6 million cubic meters of gas per day to power plants in Syria which will contribute in improving the country’s energy situation,” he added.
Syria has suffered from severe power shortages. On separate occasions, the country said it was working with partners including Gulf states, in the energy and electricity sectors.