Saudi Shoura Council speaker meets Thai senate speaker in Bangkok
Surasajja welcomed Al-Asheikh and his accompanying delegation to the meeting and emphasized the importance of friendly relations between the countries.
Al-Asheikh congratulated Surasajja on assuming his role as speaker, wishing him success in fulfilling his responsibilities.
Al-Asheikh spoke of the Kingdom's remarkable developmental advancement in various fields under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and commended the qualitative shift being achieved by Saudi Vision 2030, which has driven economic diversification and sustainable growth across all sectors.
The two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance and develop them. They also focused on parliamentary cooperation between the countries.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
2 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Al-Falih: Tadawul to carry out feasibility study on operating Damascus Stock Exchange
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said that the Tadawul (Saudi Stock Exchange) has launched preparations for a comprehensive feasibility study on establishing and operating a Damascus Stock Exchange. Speaking at the opening of the Saudi-Syrian roundtable in Riyadh on Monday, Al-Falih noted that there has been significant progress in several recently signed agreements and memorandums with Syria. He emphasized that the Ministry of Investment seeks to overcome economic challenges and obstacles in Syria. Al-Falih said the ministry supports a private-sector proposal to establish a fund-of-funds for Saudi investments in Syria. "This is aimed to create a structured and well-governed investment framework to serve the shared objectives of both countries, as well as to boost the growth and sustainability of joint investments at an accelerated pace, and deliver exceptional investment outcomes with financing volumes that meet required needs," he said. Al-Falih said that the real estate sector projects signed during the Saudi-Syrian forum have entered the phase of implementation and expressed hope to see them materialize soon. The minister emphasized Saudi Arabia and Syria are working to establish a safe and sustainable investment environment that supports investment cooperation and enhances confidence between investors in both countries.
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Philippine regulator resists online gambling ban amid pressure to criminalize industry
MANILA: The Philippine gaming regulator on Monday opposed a proposed ban on online gambling, despite mounting nationwide calls to criminalize it over soaring numbers of addiction, debt and mental health cases. The online gambling sector in the Philippines has been growing exponentially, with gross revenues jumping from $140 million in 2022 to $2.4 billion in 2024, according to Senate Committee on Games and Amusement data. The committee held a hearing last week, highlighting the human cost of the industry, with its members demanding to outlaw it, saying the country was facing a full-blown public health and social crisis. Sen. Erwin Tulfo, who led the hearing on online gambling, warned that 'as long as online gambling exists, we are breeding the next generation of addicts, debtors, and broken families.' He called for a ban and to 'prosecute not only the operators, but also the enablers — in the government and in the private sector — who profit from this misery.' The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. — a government-owned and -controlled corporation, which is both an operator and regulator, and was present during the hearing — sent Arab News a statement saying it 'is not in favor of a total ban and instead advocates for stricter regulation.' The corporation said illegal operators were the real problem. 'Unfortunately, many of these unregulated online operators are based overseas who target Filipinos, most of whom do not realize that the sites they are playing on are not licensed by PAGCOR. This is where problems arise, especially regarding age restrictions.' But a survey cited by senators indicates that age was not the main issue. It indicated that 66 percent of Filipinos aged 18 to 40, and 57 percent of those aged 41 to 55 were engaged in online gambling. Nearly a third bet multiple times a week, some wagering up to $53 per session. Majority Leader Joel Villanueva warned that online gambling was a 'growing national crisis' in the Philippines. 'People are not just risking their hard-earned money. They are putting their futures, families, and lives on the line. The lure of instant wealth has already led many down a path of addiction, debt, and despair,' he said. 'Online gambling is not just a matter of financial loss. It is strongly associated with serious mental and physical health issues, broken relationships, family conflict, increased cases of domestic violence and suicide, crime against persons and property, and ultimately, the erosion of opportunities and dignity in the lives of many Filipinos.' Bridges of Hope, a prominent addiction treatment and rehabilitation organization in the Philippines, reports that currently seven out of 10 of its clients are now treated for online gambling addiction. The support group Recovering Gamblers of the Philippines says that the proportion of online gamblers among its members has increased from 60 to 90 percent in just the past two years. Dr. Tony Leachon, a physician and commentator on public health, said that online gambling addiction has turned into a 'silent epidemic that corrodes mental health, destabilizes families, and fractures communities.' He warned that PAGCOR's 'dual role as regulator and operator creates a conflict of interest that undermines protective measures' in the Philippines, where financial vulnerability is widespread. Leachon told Arab News: 'Addiction drives people to borrow from loan sharks, sell possessions, or neglect basic needs like food and education. This is not merely a behavioral issue. 'It is a public health crisis that demands systemic intervention, just as we would respond to substance abuse or infectious disease.' 'Without decisive action, we risk institutionalizing addiction as a cultural norm,' he added.
Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia and Syria sign pact to promote and protect investment
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Al-Falih and Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Dr. Mohammad Nidal Al-Shaar have signed an agreement to promote and protect investment between the two countries. The pact was inked on the sidelines of a roundtable meeting that began in Riyadh on Monday morning. Senior Saudi and Syrian officials emphasized that the agreement is the culmination of ongoing efforts to activate strategic partnerships and expand the base of joint investments. It aims to create an attractive legal and investment environment as well as to provide practical frameworks that guarantee investment protection. This would also facilitate the flow of capital, contributing to the development of vital sectors including industry, services, infrastructure, and tourism. Speaking on the occasion, Al-Falih said that the agreement falls within the Kingdom's vision to strengthen its economic partnerships with Arab countries and create promising investment opportunities. He noted that the signing of the agreement with Syria reflects the trend toward sustainable cooperation that supports the stability and prosperity of the region. Al-Shaar considered the signing of the agreement as a qualitative shift in the course of economic relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia, as well as opening up broad horizons for fruitful investment cooperation that achieves mutual benefit and strengthens fraternal ties between the two peoples. He highlighted the importance of the Saudi role in supporting the economic recovery process in Syria. A high-level Syrian delegation, led by Minister Al-Shaar, arrived in Riyadh on an official visit aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two countries. The visit follows the outcomes of last month's Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum, which was held in Damascus under the patronage of Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and brought together over 100 Saudi companies and 20 Saudi government entities. The forum concluded with the signing of 47 investment agreements in key sectors valued at over SR24 billion.
