Royal Commission for AlUla, Saudia Private Aviation sign partnership deal
Deal aims to boost AlUla’s network with other local and international destinations
Updated 26 October 2023
Arab News
LONDON: The Royal Commission for AlUla has signed a partnership deal with Saudia Private Aviation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The deal was sealed on the sidelines of the seventh Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh and aims to boost AlUla’s network with other local and international destinations, as well as underlining its position as a global logistics hub.
Saudia Private Aviation will offer a range of services such as aircraft leasing, management, maintenance, landing permits, ground handling, hotel accommodation, and catering, while operating the private aviation lounge at AlUla International Airport.
The partnership aims to keep pace with the anticipated growth of air traffic in the region, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, to position AlUla as a global tourist destination.
The development work at AlUla’s airport in 2021 increased its capacity to 400,000 passengers.
Saudi deputy FM participates in Sudan peace efforts meeting
Updated 25 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al-Khuraiji participated on Wednesday in the Second Consultative Meeting Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, the Saudi Press Agency said.
During the meeting held in Djibouti, he reiterated the Kingdom’s continued efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis, and its welcome and openness to international efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Sudan.
Al-Khuraiji said that the US and the Kingdom facilitated talks between the Sudanese parties in Jeddah, resulting in signing of the Jeddah Declaration to protect civilians in Sudan.
He expressed Saudi Arabia’s keenness on the return of security and stability to Sudan and urging the Sudanese parties to give priority to wisdom and self-restraint, and to show flexibility and respond to positive and humanitarian initiatives.
The Place: Mount Daka, Shams Al-Assil offer rare views of nature and Red Sea
Taif region is major attraction for tourists as it has some of Kingdom’s most diverse flora and fauna
Updated 25 July 2024
Arab News
TAIF: In Saudi Arabia’s Makkah province, Mount Daka and Shams Al-Assil provide rare views of the sparkling Red Sea and the Taif region’s diverse flora and fauna.
At more than 2,560 meters above sea level, Mount Daka, located in the heart of Ash Shafa, can be seen from Shams Al-Assil.
Local and international tourists often head up the mountain to experience the view.
At more than 2,560 meters above sea level, Mount Daka is one of the destinations that nature-lovers seek to reach to experience its breathtaking nature. (SPA)
Mount Daka’s environment is replete with wildlife living among its juniper, acacia, sidr and salam trees.
It is a highly sought-after spot in the Sarawat Mountains range because of its natural environment and animals including rock hyraxes, ibex, rabbits, and Arabian leopards.
Rain and fog may form over it, and its flowers and aromatic plants are a haven for swarms of honey-producing bees.
At more than 2,560 meters above sea level, Mount Daka is one of the destinations that nature-lovers seek to reach to experience its breathtaking nature. (SPA)
Coastal mangrove-growing program in Saudi on track
13m mangrove seedlings planted since launch a year ago
Plan for 100m trees along Red Sea, Arabian Gulf by 2030
Updated 25 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Kingdom is on track to reach its target of planting 100 million mangrove trees by 2030, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 plan.
Some 13 million mangrove seedlings have been planted since the launch of the ambitious coastal forest-cover program a year ago, the Saudi Press Agency stated recently, quoting a progress report from the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
Mangroves work in concert with coral reefs and seagrass beds to keep coastal zones healthy, say marine scientists. (SPA)
Most of the projects reported by the NCVC are currently being carried out along the Kingdom’s Red Sea coast, with Jazan province topping the list at 5.5 million seedlings. Makkah province followed with 2.4 million, Madinah 2 million, Tabuk 1.5 million, and Asir 1 million.
Along the Arabian Gulf coast, the Eastern Province has planted 500,000 seedlings, according to the report.
However, before the formal launch of the project along the Arabian Gulf, the center noted that 700,000 seedlings had already been planted. This included 200,000 on Ras Abu Ali Island in Jubail governorate, and 500,000 in Al-Wajh governorate.
“The project includes fencing and caring for the seedlings, to protect them from algae and seaweed, and protecting the sites from grazing and encroachment,” the SPA reported.
In addition, the NCVC and the Asir Region Development Authority launched on Wednesday a “Mangrove Restoration” program. This was to mark the UN’s International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, which is held annually on July 26.
Mangrove planting in Asir region's Al-Barak governorate. (SPA)
Campaigners planted 500 mangrove seedlings on the beaches of Al-Barak governorate. Leading the event was Al-Barak Gov. Abdullah bin Ali bin Muhya and Mayor Nasser Saeed Al-Shahrani.
The SPA reported that the intention is to raise awareness about the importance of planting and protecting mangrove forests amidst climate change and global warming.
Mangroves, working in concert with seagrass beds and coral reefs, keep coastal zones healthy, say marine scientists.
They have been found to provide essential habitat for thousands of species, stabilize shorelines, prevent erosion and protect communities from waves and storms.
“An estimated 75 percent of commercially caught fish spend some time in the mangroves or depend on food webs that can be traced back to these coastal forests,” according to the American Museum of Natural History.
Many countries suffering from severe mangrove destruction have continued to record declines in fish stocks.
Saudi electric car consumer base growing as Kingdom aims to become a hub for the technology
Updated 24 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Hamed Al-Rafidain, who works in HR, drives a fuel-guzzling 4 X 4, as many in Saudi Arabia do — but his other car is electric.
Al-Rafidain, 39, is part of a small but growing electric vehicle consumer base in the Kingdom, which aims to become a hub for the technology.
“What drove me to buy electric was financial considerations,” said Rafidain, who spends up to SR2,000 ($530) a month on fuel for his off-road vehicle. “Maintenance costs are also lower compared to a conventional vehicle, with no oil changes.”
For a little over $53,300, he bought a BYD mostly for short trips within the capital. Driving outside Riyadh was a “gamble, especially since the infrastructure is still underdeveloped,” Rafidain said.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the PIF, owns 60 percent of electric car maker Lucid and South Korea’s Hyundai plans a factory in the Kingdom. The Saudi brand CEER, launched in 2022, expects to start production in 2025. Eventually Saudi Arabia aims to produce 300,000 electric cars a year.
Meanwhile Chinese giant BYD is expected to dominate the Saudi market, since its global rival Tesla has no dealerships in the Kingdom.
Electric car sales tripled last year to nearly 800 and salesman Hassan Mohammed expects more this year. “More than one car brand has opened its doors in the Kingdom and now offers after-sales service, which has encouraged consumers,” he said.
Saudi leaders offer condolences to Kuwait after passing of Sheikh Jaber Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah
Updated 24 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent letters of condolences to Kuwait’s Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah over the death of Sheikh Jaber Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah, the Saudi Press Agency said Wednesday.
The Crown Prince also sent a separate letter to Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah.
Sheikh Jaber died at the age of 71 and will be buried after Thursday’s Maghrib (Sunset) prayer, Kuwait’s news agency said.
