黑料社区

黑料社区鈥檚 real estate price index rises 2.6% in Q3: GASTAT

黑料社区鈥檚 real estate price index rises 2.6% in Q3: GASTAT
The Real Estate General Authority anticipates 黑料社区鈥檚 property market will reach a market volume of $69.51 billion in 2024 and $101.62 billion by 2029. File/SPA
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Updated 27 October 2024

黑料社区鈥檚 real estate price index rises 2.6% in Q3: GASTAT

黑料社区鈥檚 real estate price index rises 2.6% in Q3: GASTAT

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 real estate price index rose by 2.6 percent in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year, driven by growth in residential sector expenses, according to official data.聽

The General Authority for Statistics said that residential real estate prices increased by 1.6 percent year on year in the third quarter. Meanwhile, commercial and agricultural sector property expenses rose by 6.4 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively.聽

Developing the real estate sector is a key component of 黑料社区鈥檚 Vision 2030, as the Kingdom works to become a global tourism and business destination by the decade鈥檚 end.聽

The Real Estate General Authority anticipates that 黑料社区鈥檚 property market, one of the Middle East鈥檚 fastest-growing sectors, will reach a market volume of $69.51 billion in 2024 and $101.62 billion by 2029, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 8 percent.聽

鈥淒ata indicates that real estate prices in the residential sector experienced varying increases in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The residential sector recorded an overall increase of 1.6 percent, with a weighting of 72.6 percent in the index,鈥 said GASTAT.聽

It added: 鈥淭his rise was largely driven by a 1.6 percent increase in the prices of residential land plots, which carry a weighting of 45.7 percent in the index.鈥澛

The report said that apartment prices increased by 1.9 percent year on year in the third quarter, while expenses to purchase villas rose by 1.5 percent. In the same period, prices of residential floors saw a decrease of 1.8 percent.聽

In the commercial real estate sector, land plots witnessed a price rise of 6.3 percent year on year in the third quarter.聽

Building prices in the commercial sector saw an increase of 8.6 percent in the third quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2023, while the expenses for gallery and shops declined by 1.1 percent.聽

Compared to the second quarter, the overall real estate price index rose by 0.8 percent in the third quarter, with a 0.2 percent increase in the residential sector.聽

鈥淭he prices of real estate in the commercial sector increased by 3 percent, driven by a 3.2 percent rise in commercial land plot prices, a 0.4 percent increase in building prices, and a 2.4 percent increase in gallery/shop prices,鈥 said the report.聽

Real estate prices in Riyadh saw a significant 10.2 percent increase in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year, GASTAT reported.聽

The Hail region and the Northern region also recorded notable annual increases, at 5 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively, while the Makkah region and Eastern Province experienced year-on-year declines of 1.3 percent and 8.3 percent.聽

Earlier this month, a report released by Knight Frank revealed that residential transaction values in 黑料社区 surged 25 percent year on year in the third quarter of 2024, totaling SR35.4 billion ($9.43 billion).聽

The report added that the volume of deals also increased by 12 percent, reaching 45,924 deals, highlighting strong demand in the Kingdom鈥檚 housing market.聽

This trend follows a continued increase in demand over the last several quarters, as the Kingdom experiences growth in both local and expatriate populations amid efforts to attract investment and advance diversification projects.聽

Supporting this growth, JLL reported that Riyadh鈥檚 Grade A office rents reached SR2,090 per sq. meters by mid-2024, an increase from the same period in 2023. Approximately 52,000 sq. meters of new office space was delivered in the first half of the year, bringing Riyadh鈥檚 total supply to 5.2 million sq. meters.聽

Grade A office spaces enjoy a premium over the average rent prevailing in the area due to their location, infrastructure and young age.聽

JLL projected that approximately 249,000 sq. meters and 48,000 sq. meters of gross leasable area is expected to be delivered in Riyadh and Jeddah, respectively, in the second half of this year.聽


Global leaders call for unity against cybersecurity threats

The Global Cybersecurity Forum Annual Meeting kicked off in Riyadh on Wednesday. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)
The Global Cybersecurity Forum Annual Meeting kicked off in Riyadh on Wednesday. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)
Updated 01 October 2025

Global leaders call for unity against cybersecurity threats

The Global Cybersecurity Forum Annual Meeting kicked off in Riyadh on Wednesday. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)
  • Dangers highlighted at Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh
  • Saudi 鈥榮howing the way,鈥 Senegal鈥檚 Macky Sall tells Arab News

RIYADH: Day one of the Global Cybersecurity Forum Annual Meeting concluded here with calls for governments and the private sector to secure critical infrastructure and build international agreements against mounting cybersecurity threats.

Macky Sall, the former president of Senegal, told Arab News at the GCF: 鈥淐ybersecurity is a global challenge. It ignores borders.

鈥淪o if you want to have global action and be positive, we should bring together countries, states and nations and the private sector who are leading the big platform, what we call Big Tech.鈥

鈥(The) Kingdom of 黑料社区, with this initiative, launched in 2020, the Global Cybersecurity Forum, is showing the way, and the Kingdom invests a lot to fight terrorism and to develop capabilities,鈥 he added.

Now in its fifth edition, the forum aims to continue strengthening the safety and resilience of cyberspace by advancing international collaboration.

The forum announced the Global Initiative for Capacity Building in Cyberspace, a major plan to scale cohesive advances in cyberspace, and strengthen online resilience.

The new initiative aims to deliver accelerated capacity development at scale in areas of greatest need through expert-led workshops, training and education programs, international simulations and cyber drills, and policy development support.

Also planned is collaboration around research and development to enhance the skills of beneficiaries worldwide, including policy practitioners, law enforcement personnel, and cyber diplomats.

Implementation will be led by 黑料社区鈥檚 National Cybersecurity Authority, Saudi Information Technology Co., and the GCF, in partnership with UN agencies.

The plan is to include the UN Development Program, UN Office on Disarmament Affairs, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UN Interregional Crime and Justice Institute, UN Institute for Disarmament Research, and the International Telecommunication Union, alongside Interpol.

In an interview with Arab News, Jurgen Stock, former secretary-general of Interpol, said: 鈥淕CF is a wonderful and a needed platform, a global platform to deal with something that is global by nature, which is cybercrime.鈥

鈥淎ll the threats related to our digital environment, which I mean, almost since a couple of years, have only shown one direction.

鈥淭he numbers, unfortunately, are going up, and now with new technologies coming up, artificial intelligence first and foremost, of course, this threat is not going away.鈥

鈥淎nd we have to deal and to address that threat in a collective way. No country, no region, no company, no government can fight that in isolation. We need strong partnerships. And I think this is exactly what GCF is about.鈥

Stock praised 黑料社区 for 鈥渋ts efforts in building partnerships with law enforcement, with regulators, telecommunication companies, IT security companies, and finally also law enforcement help closing these gaps as quickly as possible.鈥

According to the GCF 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Report there is a worldwide shortage of 2.8 million cybersecurity professionals and skills gaps reported by 43 percent of information security executives.

The report highlights the urgency of a coordinated global effort to bridge persistent cybersecurity capacity gaps.

Speaking at a panel titled 鈥淎gainst the Odds: Gaining Consensus Amid Complexity,鈥 Croatia鈥檚 former president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic called for stronger regulation of AI and greater information sharing.

Sall urged action to bridge divides between developed and developing countries, while former US cyber director Chris Inglis emphasized the importance of building digital infrastructure that delivers real benefits for citizens.

Global leaders at the forum emphasized the importance of future-proofing international agreements, closing the digital gap between nations, and fostering collaboration that delivers tangible benefits.


Saudi budget carrier flyadeal begins service to Damascus聽

Saudi budget carrier flyadeal begins service to Damascus聽
Updated 01 October 2025

Saudi budget carrier flyadeal begins service to Damascus聽

Saudi budget carrier flyadeal begins service to Damascus聽

RIYADH: Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal has started direct flights to Damascus, re-establishing air links between the two countries after a period of suspended services.

The inaugural flight, arriving from Jeddah on Oct. 1, was welcomed by Abdullah Al-Harith, Saudi deputy ambassador to Syria, at Damascus International Airport. 

The airline received regulatory approval earlier this year to operate to Syria, with CEO Steven Greenway announcing a planned launch in July. 

The move is part of a wider regional trend, with airlines such as flynas, FlyDubai, and Royal Jordanian also resuming services to Damascus. 

The return of international carriers follows recent decisions by the US and EU to lift long-standing economic sanctions on Syria, enabling renewed trade, tourism, and investment opportunities. 


KAFD and RCRC sign agreement to launch first phase of Riyadh Creative District

KAFD and RCRC sign agreement to launch first phase of Riyadh Creative District
Updated 01 October 2025

KAFD and RCRC sign agreement to launch first phase of Riyadh Creative District

KAFD and RCRC sign agreement to launch first phase of Riyadh Creative District

RIYADH: The first phase of the Riyadh Creative District is set to take shape after the King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Co. signed a lease agreement with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. 

Under the deal, RCRC will lease three landmark buildings within KAFD to host RCD鈥檚 initial operations, positioning the district as a hub for media, cultural, and creative technology enterprises. 

The initiative supports Vision 2030 objectives to transform Riyadh into a global center for innovation and culture. Launched under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, RCD seeks to unite Saudi and international talent to drive content creation, cultural exchange, and economic diversification. 

Mohammed Al-Sudairy, acting CEO at KAFD DMC, said the agreement 鈥渉ighlights KAFD鈥檚 commitment to shaping the industries of tomorrow.鈥   

He added: 鈥淏y bringing together creative thinkers, business leaders, and cultural institutions in a single destination, we are opening doors for emerging talent and advancing Riyadh鈥檚 status as a global hub for creative and cultural innovation.鈥  

Mazen Tammar, vice president of City Marketing and Investment Promotion at RCRC, noted that hosting RCD鈥檚 first phase in KAFD 鈥渞eflects our shared vision of building Riyadh into a world-leading destination for creativity and innovation.鈥   

He emphasized that the initiative 鈥渨ill empower the creative community, nurture local creative talent, attract global partners, and advance Riyadh鈥檚 role as a cultural and economic hub in line with Vision 2030.鈥  

The RCD was launched in February by the RCRC board of directors and has already begun attracting international institutions.   

Earlier this year, Italian fashion school Instituto Marangoni inaugurated its Riyadh campus within the district, marking a key milestone in the project's development.  


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,529聽

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,529聽
Updated 01 October 2025

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,529聽

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,529聽

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Tadawul All Share Index rose on Wednesday, gaining 26.39 points, or 0.23 percent, to close at 11,529.36. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.99 billion ($1.59 billion), as 116 of the listed stocks advanced, while only 131 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index also increased, up 6.46 points or 0.43 percent, to close at 1,506.44. 

The Kingdom鈥檚 parallel market Nomu gained 116.96 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 25,589.40. This comes as 48 of the listed stocks advanced, while 34 retreated. 

The best-performing stock was Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co., with its share price surging by 6.37 percent to SR6.01. 

Other top performers included Nahdi Medical Co., which saw its share price rise by 4.45 percent to SR124.30, and Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance Co., which saw a 3.94 percent increase to SR13.97. 

CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. rose 3.82 percent to SR41.32, while Middle East Paper Co. gained 3.19 percent to SR28.50. 

On the downside, Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co. slipped 3.24 percent to SR27.48, making it the session鈥檚 weakest performer. 

Derayah Financial Co. fell 3.09 percent to SR30.72, while Alujain Corp. dropped 2.46 percent to SR34.94. 

Amlak International Finance Co. fell 2.44 percent to SR12.39, while Makkah Construction and Development Co. dropped 2.41 percent to SR87.05. 

On the announcements front, Sustainable Infrastructure Holding Co. has signed an agreement to acquire a 51 percent majority stake in Port Services & Storage Co. for up to SR132 million. 

According to a press release, the deal, which includes an initial payment and future performance-based earn-outs, is slated for completion in the final quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approval. 

This strategic acquisition aims to strengthen SISCO鈥檚 integrated logistics platform, expand its footprint in the Eastern Province, and create synergies with its existing logistics real estate assets. 

SISCO Holding鈥檚 shares traded 0.18 percent higher on the main market to close at SR33.06. 


黑料社区 signs 5 agreements with Vietnamese firms to expand investment footprint聽

黑料社区 signs 5 agreements with Vietnamese firms to expand investment footprint聽
Updated 01 October 2025

黑料社区 signs 5 agreements with Vietnamese firms to expand investment footprint聽

黑料社区 signs 5 agreements with Vietnamese firms to expand investment footprint聽

RIYADH: 黑料社区 has signed five agreements with Vietnamese firms spanning construction, tourism, and infrastructure, expanding its investment footprint in the Southeast Asian nation. 

The deals also included advanced furniture manufacturing and workforce training, aimed at strengthening the Kingdom鈥檚 industrial sector and attracting foreign investment, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

They were signed in the presence of Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef during the Saudi-Vietnamese Business Forum in Hanoi, part of the minister鈥檚 official visit to deepen economic ties and attract quality investments in line with Vision 2030.

The forum was hosted at the Hanoi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and co-organized with the Federation of Saudi Chambers. 

It aligns with 黑料社区鈥檚 National Industrial Development Program, launched in 2019, which aims to integrate strategic sectors and leverage local content alongside Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to build a diversified, value-driven economy. 

The development reflects the Kingdom鈥檚 growing focus on international partnerships, underpinned by its $1.92 billion investment in Vietnam across energy, industry, and technology sectors. 

Alkhorayef emphasized the strong bilateral economic relations and the Saudi-Vietnamese Business Council鈥檚 role in boosting cooperation, particularly in industry and mining, according to a statement by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. 

In a post on his X account, Alkhorayef said: 鈥淚 held bilateral meetings with several investors and leaders of Vietnamese companies to discuss the Kingdom鈥檚 competitive investment advantages, enabling mechanisms and incentives that facilitate foreign investment, and measures to streamline the investor journey.鈥 

He added that the talks explored promising opportunities for industrial and mining cooperation between the two countries. 

The minister emphasized the Kingdom鈥檚 keenness to attract quality foreign investments in industry and mining, outlining the most promising investment opportunities these sectors offer, as well as the enablers and incentives provided by the industrial and mineral resources system to facilitate the journey of international investors. 

These include, he added, financing solutions offered by the Saudi Industrial Development Fund and the Saudi Export鈥揑mport Bank. 

He also shed light on the Kingdom鈥檚 local content policies, which encourage industrial localization and give domestic manufacturers a competitive edge in government procurement, according to the press release. 

Regarding mining, he highlighted its transformation into a key pillar of the national industry under Vision 2030, with the Comprehensive Mining and Mineral Industries Strategy and the National Geological Survey Program increasing 黑料社区鈥檚 estimated mineral wealth from $1.3 trillion to $2.5 trillion. 

The event was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammed Dahlawi, CEO of the National Industrial Development Center Saleh Al-Sulami, Chairman of the Saudi-Vietnamese Business Council Ahmed Al-Theeb, and senior government and private-sector representatives from both countries. 

The forum offered a platform to explore cooperation in advanced industries, research, innovation, and artificial intelligence.