2:36 - Saudi Ministry of Investment Releases Q2 Investment Highlights Report; 49 Deals Worth More Than $925m Inked. Richard's one big thing is the release 13th edition of ”Investment Highlights.” The report examines investment developments and focuses the tourism sector. 

MISA says it oversaw 49 major deals valued at $925 million, which are set to create around 2000 new jobs in the local economy. The report includes an opening by H.E. Ahmed AlKhateeb, Minister of Tourism, and includes a dedicated section on tourism in Saudi Arabia, looking at the latest developments and opportunities driving this dynamic sector forward.

10:03 - Saudi Arabia's STV released an interesting, forward-looking report on the opportunities for investors in the MENA region, particularly in startups. Lucien's one big thing is the report from STV, which says the MENA region is set to witness the birth of more than 45 unicorns in the next eight years, with an estimated total equity value to reach more than $100 billion, according to a new Saudi Technology Ventures (STV) report.

The report from STV Insights highlights the opportunities for investing in the MENA region and Saudi Arabia and particular.  Saudi Arabia was described as the “gravitational center” for scaling tech unicorns, based on the country’s GDP and stock exchange size.

21:48 - The 966 welcomes Ahmed Shawly and Mostafa Fahmy from the Jeddah-based Wall of Sound record label and recording studio to talk about the young and growing music industry in Saudi Arabia, their entrepreneurial journey building the business from the ground up in a new industry with a blend of established and new, indie sounds, and so much more.

1:17:00 - Yallah! Six top storylines to get you up to speed heading into the weekend.

•Women to teach 4th grade elementary students in private and foreign schools

The ministry clarified in the circular that this decision vis-a-vis grade four comes in tandem with the success achieved after application of assigning the teaching of students from the first to third grades of elementary level of the private and foreign girls’ schools to female teachers. “The ministry also desires to continue creating stimulating environments for teaching and learning as well as to support investment in the private general education sector,” it was stated in the circular…

•Saudi Industry Minister: Percentage of National Products in Some Retail Stores Reaches 70%

The largest local stores in the Kingdom began to allocate spaces within their distribution points and branches to highlight national products with the identity of the “Made in Saudi Arabia” Program to enhance the sale of local products and make them a preferred option for consumers, SPA said.

•Aramco expands Namaat industrial investment programs

The Saudi Arabian Oil Company today announced a major expansion of its Namaat industrial investment programs, with 55 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across the sustainability, digital, industrial, manufacturing and social innovation sectors. Namaat, which has grown from 32 to 55 investments since last year, supports industrial investment partnerships, helping to create jobs for Saudis and contributing to national growth and capacity building. The program aims to enable opportunities for local and international companies and leverage various incentives offered through the government’s Shareek program and other initiatives.

•Saudi Arabia to host international falcons exhibition

More than half a million people will descend on the 2022 International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition, the world’s largest falconry event, taking place from August 25 to September 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 10-day extravaganza brings together enthusiasts from around the globe and celebrates the art of falconry and its rich heritage, spanning generations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Visitors will get to see first-hand the world’s finest collection of falcons and hunting equipment along with having the opportunity to experience unforgettable desert safari trips.

•Saudi Arabia among top 5 overseas markets as ‘Bullet Train’ rakes in $62.5M

The stylized action romp “Bullet Train,” starring Brad Pitt, earned $62.5 million worldwide over its opening weekend, according to studio estimates this week, with Saudi Arabia earning a spot on the overseas play ranking. The film racked up $32.4 million at the international box office and $30.1 million on the domestic charts. Overseas play was led by the UK with a $3.5 million start, followed by France at $3.1 million, Mexico delivering $3 million, Australia rolling to $2.2 million and Saudi Arabia clocking $1.9 million.

•Ahead of Qatar World Cup, expanded Salwa border crossing inaugurated

Capacity at the Salwa border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Qatar has been quadrupled from 3,000 cars to 12,000 cars in each direction per day.  The Salwa border post reopened in January 2021 after the Al-Ula Summit ending a three and a half year closure.