黑料社区

Saudi Aramco鈥檚 Wa鈥檈d Ventures earmarks $100m for AI investments

Saudi Aramco鈥檚 Wa鈥檈d Ventures earmarks $100m for AI investments
AI could contribute an estimated $135 billion to the Kingdom鈥檚 economy by 2030, accounting for over 12 percent of the country鈥檚 projected gross domestic product. Shutterstock
Short Url
Updated 27 October 2024

Saudi Aramco鈥檚 Wa鈥檈d Ventures earmarks $100m for AI investments

Saudi Aramco鈥檚 Wa鈥檈d Ventures earmarks $100m for AI investments

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 $500 million venture capital fund, Wa鈥檈d Ventures, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aramco, has earmarked $100 million to invest in artificial intelligence startups.聽

The聽initiative aligns with the Kingdom鈥檚 ambition to position itself as a global AI hub and drive economic growth through technology-driven innovation.聽

Wa鈥檈d Ventures has also established an advisory board comprised of prominent leaders in the AI sector to facilitate deal sourcing and support the localization of global talent.聽

The board members bring expertise from diverse fields, including policymaking, research and academia, as well as entrepreneurship, with backgrounds from major institutions like Meta, Amazon, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Oxford.聽

The advisory board is expected to guide Wa鈥檈d in identifying high-potential AI investments and accelerate the integration of advanced technologies within the Kingdom.聽

鈥淥ur strategic decision to allocate funds to AI investments is rooted in a deep understanding of the Kingdom鈥檚 growing ecosystem,鈥 said Anas Al-Gahtani, acting CEO of Wa鈥檈d Ventures.聽

鈥淏y fostering innovation and supporting AI startups, we aim to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies that will drive economic growth, improve quality of life, and position 黑料社区 as a global leader in artificial intelligence. This investment will not only incentivize local entrepreneurs but also support the localization of global talent, ultimately unlocking the immense potential of AI,鈥 Al-Gahtani added.聽

The investment strategy comes as 黑料社区鈥檚 AI market is projected to see a substantial economic impact over the next decade.聽

According to a report by PwC, AI could contribute an estimated $135 billion to the Kingdom鈥檚 economy by 2030, accounting for over 12 percent of the country鈥檚 projected gross domestic product. This would position the technology as one of the nation鈥檚 most significant economic drivers.聽

Wa鈥檈d Ventures has already begun executing its AI investment strategy with recent stakes in innovative companies such as Korea鈥檚 AI chipmaker Rebellions and the California-based aiXplain, which specializes in essential infrastructure for accelerated development.聽

These investments underscore Wa鈥檈d Ventures鈥 commitment to advancing the Kingdom鈥檚 AI ecosystem by supporting high-potential technology companies and infrastructure players within the field.聽

A recent study by McKinsey & Co. indicates that AI technologies are likely to contribute more than $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030, and 黑料社区 has the potential to capture a considerable share of this growth.聽

Established in 2013, Wa鈥檈d Ventures manages a portfolio of over 70 startups, providing end-to-end support, from funding to providing access to partner resources.聽


$14.2bn earned from record summer tourism

$14.2bn earned from record summer tourism
Updated 14 September 2025

$14.2bn earned from record summer tourism

$14.2bn earned from record summer tourism
  • The success underscores 黑料社区鈥檚 ongoing efforts to develop its tourism sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Ministry of Tourism has announced record-breaking results for the 鈥淪audi Summer鈥 program, welcoming over 32 million domestic and international tourists, a 26 percent increase compared to the 2024 summer season.

Tourist spending also hit new heights, with total expenditures reaching SR53.2 billion ($14.2 billion), marking a 15 percent year-on-year rise. The southern Asir region saw remarkable growth, particularly from Gulf Cooperation Council visitors, with arrivals surging 49 percent over last summer. The success underscores 黑料社区鈥檚 ongoing efforts to develop its tourism sector in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a premier global travel destination.

Launched in June by Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Saudi Summer program 鈥 under the theme 鈥淐olor Your Summer鈥 鈥 highlighted six diverse destinations, including coastal escapes in Jeddah and the Red Sea, and mountainous retreats in Taif, Al-Baha, and Asir.  Major events included the Esports World Cup, along with Jeddah and Asir Seasons, offering a wide array of activities and cultural shows.

Building on this momentum, the Kingdom is already preparing for the Saudi Winter season, promising more global events and innovative tourism experiences for visitors year-round.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 10,433

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 10,433
Updated 14 September 2025

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 10,433

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to 10,433

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 19.08 points, or 0.18 percent, to close at 10,433.98.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index stood at SR2.76 billion ($738 million), with 85 stocks advancing and 171 declining.

The Kingdom鈥檚 parallel market Nomu also fell, shedding 113.37 points, or 0.45 percent, to close at 24,912.85, as 31 stocks advanced while 51 retreated.

The MSCI Tadawul Index edged down 0.83 points, or 0.06 percent, to 1,362.04.

Al Majed Oud Co. was the best-performing stock of the day, surging 9.97 percent to SR120.20. Other top gainers included Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co., up 3.67 percent to SR23.72, and 黑料社区n Mining Co., which rose 2.85 percent to SR55.95.

On the other hand, Dar Al Majed Real Estate Co. posted the steepest loss, dropping 8.35 percent to SR11.64. Alandalus Property Co. fell 6.19 percent to SR18.48, while Tamkeen Human Resource Co. declined 4.40 percent to SR54.30.

On the announcements front, Saudi Azm for Communication and Information Technology Co. reported its annual financial results for the year ending June 30. According to a Tadawul filing, the company鈥檚 net profit rose 30.03 percent to SR39.2 million, driven by higher gross profit, stronger income from associates, increased other income, and lower zakat and tax expenses. This came despite higher operating and finance costs.

Revenue grew 16.32 percent to SR253.16 million, supported by new projects and stronger returns from ongoing operations. Shares of Saudi Azm closed at SR25.12, down 1.09 percent.

Saudi Fisheries Co. announced board approval to establish a limited liability company with 100 percent ownership and a capital of SR100,000. Its stock ended the session at SR92.50, up 0.38 percent.

Meanwhile, Tabuk Agricultural Development Co. disclosed it had signed a SR5 million contract with East Asia Agricultural Development and Investment Co. for onion crop production, sales, and marketing. The 10-month agreement is expected to positively impact the company鈥檚 2026 financial results. Shares of Tabuk closed at SR9.69, down 0.10 percent.


UAE hotels welcome over 16m guests in H1

UAE hotels welcome over 16m guests in H1
Updated 14 September 2025

UAE hotels welcome over 16m guests in H1

UAE hotels welcome over 16m guests in H1

RIYADH: The UAE鈥檚 hospitality sector continues to show robust growth, with hotel establishments welcoming more than 16.1 million guests in the first six months of 2025, marking a 5.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, the Emirates News Agency, WAM, reported, citing Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al-Marri.
Speaking at the third meeting of the Hospitality Advisory Council for 2025, Al-Marri highlighted the sector鈥檚 strong performance as a testament to its resilience and competitiveness. 
鈥淭hanks to the wise leadership鈥檚 directives, our hospitality sector continues to achieve increasing growth rates, reflecting its attractiveness at both regional and global levels,鈥 he said.
The council, which included representatives from both public and private sectors as well as directors of major national and international hotel chains, reviewed key performance indicators for the first half of the year and discussed initiatives to further develop the industry.
Data presented during the meeting showed that the total number of hotel nights reached 56 million, a 7.3 percent increase over H1 2024. The average length of stay was 3.5 nights, with 1,243 hotel establishments in the UAE offering more than 216,000 rooms.
Al-Marri emphasized that the sector鈥檚 success is the result of close public-private sector collaboration, which underpins the sustainability and competitiveness of the UAE鈥檚 tourism landscape.


黑料社区 processes 524 chemical clearance requests in August 聽

黑料社区 processes 524 chemical clearance requests in August 聽
Updated 14 September 2025

黑料社区 processes 524 chemical clearance requests in August 聽

黑料社区 processes 524 chemical clearance requests in August 聽

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources processed 524 requests for chemical clearance services in August, underscoring the Kingdom鈥檚 efforts to boost industrial investment and streamline regulatory processes. 

The requests included 510 permits for importing unrestricted chemical materials and 14 applications for importing restricted substances, the ministry said on social media platform X, adding that 838 export permit requests were also submitted during the same period. 

The chemical clearance service is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency and facilitate access to critical raw materials, supporting the growth of 黑料社区鈥檚 industrial sector. 

Mohammed Al-Kharaj, director general of industrial and mineral licenses at the ministry, said the chemical clearance service enables industrial investors to apply for import or export permits for chemical substances through the comprehensive industrial services platform. 

He explained that the service aims to streamline clearance procedures for chemical substances and provide a fully electronic process for industrial facilities, ensuring smooth and timely operations. 

Al-Kharaj stressed that the service enhances competitiveness in the chemical sector and contributes to strengthening its role in supporting the national economy. 

He added that chemical clearance services form part of the ministry鈥檚 digital transformation strategy, which focuses on improving operational efficiency and simplifying procedures for investors, thereby creating a more attractive investment environment in the Kingdom. 

According to the ministry, these measures reflect its commitment to enabling industrial facilities to access essential raw materials and chemical inputs in a timely manner. It said this plays a key role in supporting the growth and expansion of 黑料社区鈥檚 industrial ecosystem. 

黑料社区鈥檚 industrial sector has shown steady growth in recent months, driven particularly by the chemicals segment. The Kingdom鈥檚 industrial output in July rose significantly, with the chemicals sub-sector alone increasing by about 8.9 percent year over year. 

In 2024, manufacturing sectors expanded by 4.7 percent, with the output of chemicals and chemical products forming part of that growth, along with refined petroleum goods and coke. 

These improvements are occurring in the context of broader government policies like the standardized industrial incentives program, which aims to boost competitiveness, attract high-value investment, and position the Kingdom as a global hub for manufacturing and chemicals.  


Oman鈥檚 non-oil exports jump 9.1% in H1 despite falling trade surplus聽

Oman鈥檚 non-oil exports jump 9.1% in H1 despite falling trade surplus聽
Updated 14 September 2025

Oman鈥檚 non-oil exports jump 9.1% in H1 despite falling trade surplus聽

Oman鈥檚 non-oil exports jump 9.1% in H1 despite falling trade surplus聽

JEDDAH: Oman's non-oil exports rose 9.1 percent in the first half of 2025, climbing to 3.26 billion rials ($8.48 billion), as the Sultanate鈥檚 diversification efforts gained traction despite a sharp decline in its trade surplus, preliminary data showed. 

The country鈥檚 trade surplus dropped 34.3 percent to 3.09 billion rials by the end of June, down from 4.70 billion rials in the same period last year. The decrease was largely attributed to a 16.1 percent fall in oil and gas exports, which amounted to 7.42 billion rials, compared with 8.85 billion rials in the first half of 2024, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information. 

Oman鈥檚 Vision 2040 strategy is driving structural reforms aimed at reducing the economy鈥檚 reliance on hydrocarbons and fostering private sector growth. The government has promoted investments and eased regulations to strengthen non-oil sectors, including logistics, manufacturing, and services. 

鈥淭otal merchandise exports fell 9.5 percent to 11.499 billion rials, while re-exports decreased 5.9 percent to 815 million rials. Non-oil merchandise exports grew to 3.26 billion rials, up from 2.989 billion rials in the same period last year,鈥 the Oman News Agency reported, citing the NCSI. 

It added: 鈥淭he data showed that the total value of merchandise imports into the Sultanate of Oman rose 5.1 percent to 8.411 billion rials by the end of June 2025, compared with 8.004 billion rials in the same period of 2024.鈥 

The UAE led Oman鈥檚 non-oil trade, with exports reaching 593 million rials, a 29.8 percent increase from the first half of 2024. The UAE also ranked first in receiving Omani re-exports, valued at 348 million rials, and was the top source of Oman鈥檚 imports at 1.98 billion rials. 

黑料社区 followed as the second-largest destination for Oman鈥檚 non-oil exports at 538 million rials, with India third at 335 million rials.  

In re-exports, Iran came second at 129 million rials and 黑料社区 third at 57 million rials. China and Kuwait were the second and third-largest sources of imports at 854 million rials and 795 million rials, respectively. 

In late 2024, oil and gas exports surged 22 percent year on year to 12.40 billion rials, supported by a 7.6 percent rise in crude oil and a 151.6 percent jump in refined oil exports, offsetting a 7 percent drop in liquefied natural gas, according to an NCSI report. 

Meanwhile, total merchandise exports grew 10 percent to 18.24 billion rials, and imports climbed 10.9 percent to 12.17 billion rials. However, non-oil exports contracted 14.1 percent to 4.53 billion rials, dragged down by a 27.3 percent decline in mineral products, even as plastics and rubber shipments rose 6.9 percent. 

Re-exports expanded 18.1 percent to 1.3 billion rials, supported by transport equipment, food, and mineral goods.