logo
Madinah sees implementing 213 development projects worth SR210 billion

Madinah sees implementing 213 development projects worth SR210 billion

Saudi Gazette06-05-2025

Saudi Gazette report
MADINAH — The Madinah Region is currently witnessing the implementation of a total of 213 development projects with a total value exceeding SR210 billion. These included 188 private sector projects and 15 government projects, according to an economic report issued by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce.
The total land area allocated for these projects exceeds 15 million square meters. These projects are expected to provide more than 119,000 job opportunities in the future.
The report indicated that the commercial sector accounted for the largest share of the list of projects under implementation, with 153 projects, followed by the residential and commercial sector with 27 projects, followed by the health, education, tourism, and religious sectors, respectively.
The report showed that the gross domestic product in the Madinah region reached SR57.6 billion in the third quarter of 2024, achieving a growth of 2.8 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The region also recorded the second-highest growth rate in domestic demand at 11 percent, according to points of sale, after Riyadh. It also reviewed the most prominent analytical data witnessed by the economic sector to support decision-making, investors, and entrepreneurs, and attract investments to stimulate economic development in the Madinah region.
The report highlighted that real estate market in the Madinah region is witnessing a boom, with a trading volume of SR10 billion during 2024. The unemployment rate in the region decreased to 8.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 10.3 percent in the third quarter of the same year. Meanwhile, the region's workforce increased to more than 458,000 employees, with economic activity concentrated mainly in the construction, trade, and manufacturing sectors.
Mazen Rajab, chairman of the Madinah Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that the report stems from the chamber's commitment to providing the necessary support to investors, providing the data and statistics needed to inform economic decisions, and working to improve the investment and business environment in the region.
He stated that the comparative and competitive advantages enjoyed by the Madinah region, and the available investment opportunities, make it a promising environment for growth and prosperity, within the framework and programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

GASTAT: Saudi Arabia's imports rise to SR74 billion in March
GASTAT: Saudi Arabia's imports rise to SR74 billion in March

Saudi Gazette

time12 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

GASTAT: Saudi Arabia's imports rise to SR74 billion in March

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's commodity imports rose slightly to SR74 billion in March 2025, a 0.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. However, commodity imports increased by approximately SR 1.65 billion, a two percent increase, according to data released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Machinery, mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, and their parts accounted for 26 percent of the Kingdom's total imports in March, with a value of SR19.3 billion. Vehicles, aircraft, ships, and transportation equipment accounted for approximately 15 percent. China accounted for 25 percent of Saudi Arabia's total imports in March 2025, with a value of SR 18.7 billion, followed by the United States with SR 5.8 billion, and the UAE with SR 4.4 billion. The top 10 countries from which imports accounted for about 65 percent of total imports, equivalent to SR48.1 billion. In its recently released monthly report, the GASTAT announced a 2.3 percent increase in the consumer price index (CPI) for April 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. The authority attributed this annual price increase to the rise in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which recorded the highest increase of 6.8 percent. A 2.2 percent rise in food and beverage prices and a 3.5 percent rise in the prices of various personal goods and services contributed to this inflationary wave. Some major categories recorded an annual decline in prices, with furniture and home furnishings prices declining by 1.8 percent. Communications prices fell by 1.5 percent, clothing and footwear prices declined by 1.2 percent, and transportation by 1.0 percent. Health, recreation, and culture prices also saw slight declines of 0.2 percent and 0.7 percent respectively, reflecting relative stability in the costs of these services and products. In contrast, the tobacco sector recorded a slight increase of 0.1 percent.

TNFS Summit spotlights KSA's efforts to combat smoking
TNFS Summit spotlights KSA's efforts to combat smoking

Arab News

time14 hours ago

  • Arab News

TNFS Summit spotlights KSA's efforts to combat smoking

The TNFS Summit 2025 concluded on May 29 in Riyadh with the adoption of an ambitious vision for a future free from tobacco-related harm — one rooted in innovation, prevention, and regulatory integration. The summit served as a regional platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange around effective harm reduction policies and the encouragement of safer alternatives. The summit was organized under the TNFS initiative, a strategic partnership between Badael (a Public Investment Fund company), the Quality of Life Program (a Vision 2030 program), and Smart Health as the summit's scientific partner. The event brought together more than 100 experts and decision-makers from within the Kingdom and abroad, representing health organizations, regulatory authorities, and leading academic institutions. Summit sessions reviewed global models for tobacco control, including experiences from Sweden and the UK. Core themes aligned with Saudi Arabia's national strategy included: •Correcting public misconceptions about nicotine and its role as a lower-risk alternative to tobacco, as part of the solution, not the problem. •Evaluating the impact of taxation as an effective tool to reduce tobacco consumption. • Showcasing scientific innovations in reduced-risk alternative products. Official data from the General Authority for Statistics showed that the adult smoking rate in Saudi Arabia dropped from 17.5 percent to 12.4 percent within one year. This decline is attributed to the implementation of comprehensive regulatory policies, tax increases, and the availability of lower-risk alternatives. Participants emphasized that TNFS is a true transformation platform, one that moves beyond awareness toward real impact on policy and societal behavior — reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a regional model to follow. Organizers announced that the summit would serve as the first in a series of specialized events in this field. During the summit, Tolga Sezer, CEO of Badael, said: 'We believe harm reduction is the pathway to a smoke-free future. TNFS marks a powerful starting point for Saudi Arabia's national efforts to tackle tobacco use, driven by science, innovation, and supportive legislation.' Salman Al-Khattaf, adviser to the CEO of the Quality of Life Program, added: 'Health is not a choice but a foundation for a dignified life and a productive society. TNFS supports community health and promotes positive lifestyle choices in line with the Kingdom's goals and bold vision.' He emphasized that success in tobacco harm reduction depends on connecting scientific evidence with practical, applicable policies, a core aim of the TNFS partnership. Dr. Sara Al-Rashoud, research adviser at Smart Health, noted that the TNFS initiative reflects a shared commitment across sectors to reducing smoking and achieving a smoke-free Saudi Arabia, especially with nearly 4.8 million adult smokers currently in the Kingdom. Dr. Christopher Russell, a UK-based behavioral scientist specializing in tobacco and nicotine use, estimated that smoking causes approximately 14,200 premature deaths annually in Saudi Arabia. He also predicted that the global end of smoking could be achieved within the next 40 years. Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos shared successful international harm reduction models, highlighting Sweden's achievement in reducing smoking rates from 15 percent to 5 percent over 15 years. This shift contributed to a 41 percent drop in cancer incidence and a 39.6 percent decrease in tobacco-related deaths. He called these outcomes a strategic opportunity for the region. In the session titled 'Tobacco Harm Reduction in the Middle East,' Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Qudhib, a Saudi family physician specializing in noncommunicable diseases and tobacco harm reduction, warned about persistently high smoking rates in countries such as Jordan and Lebanon. Public health expert Dr. Mohammad Yaman noted that 85 percent of smokers relapse within months, according to Mayo Clinic studies. He therefore considered the TNFS initiative an important step toward reducing smoking, calling for the model to be expanded and for greater regional collaboration. In closing, participants affirmed that the TNFS Summit 2025 marks a pivotal step in the Kingdom's journey toward a society free from tobacco-related harm. It represents the convergence of political will and scientific knowledge, and strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a leading model in adopting harm reduction policies and advancing quality of life.

Tuaja resorts in Al-Ahsa set to transform rural tourism
Tuaja resorts in Al-Ahsa set to transform rural tourism

Arab News

time17 hours ago

  • Arab News

Tuaja resorts in Al-Ahsa set to transform rural tourism

AL-AHSA: The lavender carpet was laid out last Wednesday in Al-Ahsa as a special groundbreaking ceremony was held for Tuaja Luxury Resorts, marking the start of a new chapter in Saudi Arabia's rural tourism and hospitality sector. Slated to open by early 2027, three brand new resorts — Tuaja Premium Farm Resorts, Tuaja Eco Resorts, and Tuaja Adventure Resorts — will be operated by Hilton Worldwide. All will be clustered around a central area of Al-Ahsa, surrounded by lush picturesque farms. This trio of tailored activations are expected to play a key role in positioning Al-Ahsa as a leading destination in rural tourism, capitalizing on its location within the largest palm oasis in the world. Attended by Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, governor of Al-Ahsa, the event marked the groundbreaking of the first luxury resort development project by Dan Company under the Tuaja brand and featured detailed mock-ups of the resort rooms. 'We remain committed to strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to deliver development projects that meet the highest standards of quality, fulfill the aspirations of citizens and visitors — and align with Vision 2030,' Prince Saud said. Dan Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, was established to unlock the potential of rural tourism across the Kingdom. This inaugural project will transform rural areas into sustainable tourism hubs that align with the goals of Vision 2030, supporting national economic diversification and community development. Dan Company also aims to contribute approximately SR6 billion ($1.6 billion) to the Kingdom's GDP by 2030. Its strategy includes attracting around 14 million visitors, including 1.4 million overnight stays and 12 million day experiences, through an innovative business model that combines luxury hospitality under the Tuaja Luxury Resorts brand, with rural lodges developed in partnership with local communities across the Kingdom. The Tuaja resorts are being developed in the Al-Ahsa region with the support of the Al-Ahsa Development Authority. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kroud, chairman, Dan Company, who describes himself as 'a son of Al-Ahsa,' underlined the significance of the event, saying: 'Today marks a major milestone and turning point in our journey to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences across the Kingdom, celebrating the cultural, historical, and natural richness of the Al-Ahsa region. Tuaja resorts are not merely destinations, they offer an extraordinary blend of authenticity and modernity.' During the ceremony, Abdulrahman Abaalkhail, chief executive of Dan Company, was in conversation with popular media personality Weam Al-Dakheel, highlighting the company's vision to redefine rural tourism through immersive, community-driven experiences. The Tuaja resorts in Al-Ahsa will cover 1.8 million square meters and feature nearly 200 accommodation units, including upscale villas and hotel rooms — some with private pools. These developments represent the first phase of the Tuaja resort portfolio, which will expand to other regions across the Kingdom. Each resort will feature a design identity rooted in the culture and natural character of its location. Dan Company is aiming for LEED Gold certification for all its developments.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store