
Saudi Arabia, UK Activate Rail Transport MoU
The Saudi delegation included representatives from the TGA's Deputyship for Railway Transport, the National Transport Safety Center (NTSC), and Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). The visit took place from August 12 to 14 as part of an official exchange program between the two countries.
The visit focused on implementing the provisions of the MoU, exploring the UK's experience in regulating and developing its rail sector, and exchanging expertise in modern technologies, sustainability, and safety.
Discussions also covered potential collaboration on future projects, ways to enhance integration across various modes of transport, and programs related to capacity-building, training, and technical exchanges.
The program included bilateral meetings between the Saudi delegation and senior officials at the UK Department for Transport, field visits to transport sites and projects, and a visit to the University of Birmingham.
Both sides also presented technical briefings outlining future directions and initiatives, and meetings were held with private-sector entities to showcase investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
The visit underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to effectively shaping the future of rail transport through innovation, leveraging global expertise to build modern, efficient networks that support national development and keep pace with advancements in the rail industry.

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Arab News
5 hours ago
- Arab News
All at sea: UK sends wrong signal on Gulf naval role
The British government recently announced that HMS Lancaster, a Royal Navy frigate permanently based in the Gulf, will return to the UK for scrapping by the end of the year. This will leave the UK without a permanent forward-based destroyer or frigate in the Gulf for the first time in many years. The decision comes at a bad time, given the fragile state of maritime security in the region. The removal of Britain's last warship from the Gulf, despite these realities, is reminiscent of US President Joe Biden's 2013 decision to withdraw all American tanks from Europe for the first time since the Second World War — only to see Russia invade Ukraine the following year. The Gulf region matters to the UK for many reasons. Britain's ties with the Gulf states stretch back decades, and in some cases centuries. The first recorded instance of the Royal Navy entering the Gulf occurred in 1620, when the East India Company sought to dislodge Portuguese influence from the region. Economically, the Gulf is one of the UK's most important trading regions outside Europe and North America, with billions in goods and services exchanged each year. British companies are heavily involved in the energy, finance, and defense sectors, while Gulf investment plays a major role in the UK economy, from infrastructure projects to property and technology ventures. Security cooperation has been just as important. Many Gulf countries have served alongside British forces in joint operations, whether in counter-piracy patrols off the Horn of Africa, counter-terrorism missions in the wider Middle East, or maritime security cooperation in the Gulf itself. These shared missions have built strong operational ties and mutual trust between the UK and its Gulf partners, strengthening both regional stability and the global commons. Gulf investment plays a major role in the British economy Luke Coffey The UK military continues to play a significant role in training and, in some cases, equipping the armed forces of the region, fostering close professional bonds among senior officers. The Royal Navy, in particular, holds a special place, with the UK ranking second only to the US in terms of foreign naval influence in the Gulf. The UK has also reduced its mine countermeasures vessels in the region, a vital asset given Iran's repeated threats to close the Strait of Hormuz. A Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ship traditionally stationed in the Gulf has also been brought home, with no plans for its return. The Labour government's own 2025 Strategic Defense Review, a document it describes as a 'root-and-branch' analysis of Britain's national security and armed forces, runs to 144 pages, but devotes only about half a page to the Gulf. It does highlight, though concisely, the importance of the region, stating: 'The Middle East is significant to UK security and prosperity due to its position as an artery of global trade and its role in global energy supplies. The UK's footprint in the region and increased investment in strategic defense partnerships supports the government's economic growth agenda.' If Prime Minister Keir Starmer truly sees the Gulf as a geopolitical priority, his first year in government has done little to prove it. By contrast, when the Conservatives returned to power in 2010 after 13 years in opposition, David Cameron moved quickly to elevate relations with the region. He immediately launched the Gulf Initiative, a cross-government effort to deepen relationships with the Gulf Cooperation Council states. This paid off handsomely. In 2011 alone, UK exports to Gulf countries exceeded those to India, Russia, and Mexico combined. By contrast, under Starmer there has been no comparable deepening of relations, apart from the approaching completion of a GCC–UK free trade agreement — an effort that began under the previous Conservative government. The removal of HMS Lancaster from the Gulf and its scrapping by the end of this year is part of a wider maritime crunch facing the Royal Navy. Once Lancaster leaves service, the fleet will be reduced to just six destroyers and six frigates — the lowest number in modern history. This downsizing comes at a time when global shipping volumes are increasing and the threats to maritime trade are growing. For a globally engaged, free-trading island nation such as Britain, these choices are difficult to reconcile with its strategic posture. Under Starmer there has been no deepening of relations Luke Coffey In the 2025 Strategic Defense Review, Starmer reaffirmed that the UK would pursue a 'NATO-first' policy — an approach that makes sense. Yet this does not mean Britain can neglect other key regions, particularly the Middle East. In recent years, NATO has moved to strengthen ties with the Gulf states and expand cooperation on issues such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, and regional stability. One of NATO's strengths is that different member states bring different contributions to the table. Since Britain is a global power with global interests, its reach and capabilities help NATO act more effectively beyond the Euro-Atlantic area. The UK's decision to scale back its naval presence in the Gulf runs counter to this dynamic, undermining one of the most significant ways Britain can contribute to NATO's efforts in the Middle East. Britain cannot afford to send the wrong message to friends or foes about its staying power in strategically vital regions. The Gulf is not only a hub of global commerce and energy but also a testing ground for Britain's ability to project influence and safeguard the rules-based order beyond Europe. If the UK truly intends to be a global power with global interests, then maintaining a credible, visible, and capable naval presence in the Gulf must remain a priority — not an afterthought. • Luke Coffey is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. X: @LukeDCoffey


Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
International tourists visiting Kingdom set to reach 70% of total
Saudi tourism is competing with itself, breaking its own records every year in both the number of local and international tourists and in tourism revenues. The number of tourists reached 115.9 million in 2024, with revenues estimated at SR283 billion ($75.5 billion). Both figures represent an unprecedented leap in Saudi travel history. Foreign tourists from outside the Kingdom reached 29.7 million, spending about SR169 billion ($45 billion). Between 2016 and 2024 the number of these tourists increased by 69 percent. Saudi Arabia plans to invest about $800 billion in tourism by 2030, aiming to host 150 million visitors over the next five years, with 70 percent of them being international tourists. Evidence of its rapid progress is seen in the International Air Transport Association's Air Connectivity Index, in which the Kingdom jumped from 27th to 13th place globally. Since 2021, Saudi Arabia has been implementing its Air Connectivity Program to link its cities with 250 destinations worldwide. Remarkably, the Kingdom's tourism journey spans less than five years, making its achievements nothing short of extraordinary. In this short time, Saudi Arabia has overtaken long-established Arab tourism leaders, notably Egypt with its ancient pharaonic heritage, iconic landmarks and decades of tourism expertise. In Fitch's 2023 global tourism revenue rankings, Egypt trailed behind the Saudi giant, despite the fact that Saudi tourist visas were only introduced in 2019. According to the Passport Index, Egypt allows citizens of 119 countries to enter with or without a visa, while Saudi Arabia extends such access to only 66 countries. Yet this significant gap in visa accessibility has not stopped the Kingdom from surpassing its neighbor. Madinah has been named one of the top 100 global tourist destinations, and the enchanting city of AlUla was the first tourist destination in the Middle East accredited by the National Destination scheme. All these achievements confirm the strength of Saudi Arabia in the tourism sector, especially compared with other Arab and Middle Eastern countries. In addition to the above, hosting the 2034 World Cup is expected to have a major impact on Saudi tourism, similar to Qatar's experience with the tournament in 2022. According to a Bloomberg report, Qatar's World Cup contributed to a 58 percent year-on-year increase in tourist numbers in the country in 2023, not to mention the astronomical numbers during the tournament itself. For this reason, Saudi Arabia is currently working on marketing its tourist destinations ahead of Expo 2030 and the World Cup. Evidence of this includes hosting the first Middle East office of the World Tourism Organization in Riyadh, and signing a deal with in 2024 to publicize Saudi destinations in the Chinese, Indian and European markets. A direct result of this was the arrival of 150,000 Chinese tourists that same year, with the number expected to increase to 5 million annually in the coming years. The Saudi Tourism Authority is making significant efforts in this regard, such as opening 16 offices in major cities like London, Paris, Beijing and Shanghai. It is also marketing Saudi tourism projects using the 'Saudi Spirit' branding which was displayed in a number of cities across the world, including on a large building in New York's Times Square. Bodies attempting to correct misconceptions about the Kingdom, especially among international tourists, include the efforts of the Public Prosecution and the Ministry of Health. The Public Prosecution, for example, has established a dedicated Tourism Prosecution Office at domestic and international airports, as well as at its main headquarters. This office assists travelers who encounter legal issues, ensuring their cases are processed swiftly — making them feel valued as guests in the Kingdom. The Ministry of Health has also introduced the Mawid app, allowing tourists to book appointments at the nearest healthcare center at minimal financial cost. Tourism accounts for 10 percent of the global economy — about $11 trillion — and a similar percentage of the world's workforce, or about 300 million jobs. Saudi Arabia needs to capture a larger share of the pie and aims to break the trillion-riyal revenue barrier. It has created 200,000 jobs so far, with a target of 800,000 by 2030, and I hope it will be possible to exceed 1 million jobs before this date. These are all achievable aspirations, as the Kingdom's vision, led by its architect Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, knows no 'impossible,' and can lead Saudis to a world of prominence in tourism and beyond. • Dr. Bader bin Saud is a columnist for Al-Riyadh newspaper, a media and knowledge management researcher, an expert and university professor in crowd management and strategic planning, and the former deputy commander of the special forces for Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia. X: @BaderbinSaud.


Arab News
7 hours ago
- Arab News
Tea is brewing a comeback in Saudi society
RIYADH: For years, tea has been a symbol of hospitality and social bonding in Saudi Arabia society but often coming second in popularity to coffee. No longer. Tea is making a strong comeback, with lovers of the brew, and businesses, blending tradition with modern sensibilities. Abdulaziz Alarifi, a partner at Dreamy Visions marketing agency, told Arab News: 'In the past, tea was served as a welcome drink, after dinner, or even at a party. Nowadays, it has a larger market and improved quality.' Nowadays Saudis are changing how they consume tea. Many people are looking for convenience while on the go, and prefer to drink it cold, with almost every coffee shop catering to this demand. (Photos/Haifa Alshammari) Alarifi says that tea is now being evaluated on source and quality of leaves, rather than just brand name. 'We are talking about Saudi companies that have started supplying tea and there is competition in this market between them,' he said. As lifestyles in the country change, people's preferences have changed as well. Our preference has always been for hot tea, but iced tea is a new target for the market. I believe it will take up significant space in the coming years. Bader Hathal Aamer Ahmad, who is a server at a tea house in Diriyah's Alsamhania area, said: 'Arabic tea and coffee have been staples since ancient times. These categories (cold tea drinks) are new inventions introduced to generations already accustomed to these beverages.' He added: 'I mean a different generation than the one before. For example, in the past, tea and coffee were served hot; now there are two types of tea, cold and hot, such as for karak tea.' Ahmad said in the past tea was served warm and infused with aromatic spices including mint and saffron, alongside Saudi coffee, during family gatherings. Nowadays Saudis are changing how they consume tea. Many people are looking for convenience while on the go, and prefer to drink it cold, with almost every coffee shop catering to this demand. Photos/Haifa Alshammari Small glass cups of mixed black tea with mint were also enjoyed hot during weddings and celebrations. However, nowadays Saudis are changing how they consume tea. Many people are looking for convenience while on the go, and prefer to drink it cold, with almost every coffee shop catering to this demand. Popular flavors include iced black tea with lemon, green tea with tropical fruits, and iced hibiscus tea with sparkling water and lemon. Alarifi added: 'In the past, tea consumption — whether at home or at work — was low. Now, it has increased significantly. People drink tea at work, at home, and in cafes. Consumption has become much higher.' According to the Visit Saudi website, Saudi Arabia 'is among the 20 largest tea-consuming countries in the world, with each person consuming nearly 900 grams annually, on average.' What is more interesting is that instead of the small glass cups, these new takes on tea are served in bottles or takeaway cups, which are available in cafes, convenience stores, and drive-thru locations. Bader Hathal, a local who enjoys a good cup with friends, told Arab News: 'I believe this is a unique and remarkable shift for tea and tea lovers, as it offers a delicious flavor in a new style that we, as Saudis, aren't used to.' 'Our preference has always been for hot tea, but iced tea is a new target for the market. And I believe it will take up significant space in the coming years, especially when it comes to beverage offerings, with iced tea being one of the most prominent.' The rising popularity of tea houses in cities including Riyadh and Jeddah shows a growing appreciation for the drink. Rana Alzamil, a Riyadh resident, told Arab News: 'In my family, tea is more of a tradition and custom than just a drink we enjoy. 'Afternoon tea was one of the rituals the family made sure to gather for. It was usually served as either mint tea or black tea, accompanied by cake or biscuits.' She added: 'With time and the changing of generations, we've come to enjoy tea whether hot, like we used to, or cold with different flavors. And each time, it brings back family memories.' 'One of the new cold flavors I enjoy is hibiscus tea with berries, as well as iced ginger tea with lemon and mint, especially in summer.'