Saudi FM arrives in Brazil to participate in BRICS summit
The Kingdom, not a full member of the bloc, is participating as a country that has been invited to join the group. Prince Faisal is attending on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Faisal will participate in the second day of the summit, which will be attended by partner and guest countries invited by the presidency and international organizations, SPA added.
Discussions will focus on global development efforts, including climate issues and the fight against pandemics and diseases.
The original BRICS group gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and China at its first summit in 2009. The bloc later added South Africa and last year included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE as members.
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Arab News
9 hours ago
- Arab News
A look at the countries that received Trump's tariff letters
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has sent letters this week outlining higher tariffs countries will face if they don't make trade deals with the US by Aug. 1. Some mirror the so-called 'reciprocal' rates Trump unveiled against dozens of trading partners in April — the bulk of which were later postponed just hours after taking effect. But many are higher or lower than those previously announced amounts. So far, Trump has warned the European Union and 24 nations, including major trading partners like South Korea and Japan, that steeper tariffs will be imposed starting Aug. 1. Nearly all of these letters took the same general tone with the exception of Brazil, Canada, the EU and Mexico, which included more specifics about Trump's issues with those countries. Nearly every country has faced a minimum 10 percent levy on goods entering the US since April, on top of other levies on specific products like steel and automobiles. And future escalation is still possible. In his letters, which were posted on Truth Social, Trump warned countries that they would face even higher tariffs if they retaliated by increasing their own import taxes. Here's a look at the countries that have gotten tariff letters so far — and where things stand now: Brazil Tariff rate: 50 percent starting Aug. 1. Brazil wasn't threatened with an elevated 'reciprocal' rate in April — but, like other countries, has faced Trump's 10 percent baseline over the last three months. Key exports to the US: Petroleum, iron products, coffee and fruit juice. Response: In a forceful response, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Trump's tariffs would trigger the country's economic reciprocity law — which allows trade, investment and intellectual property agreements to be suspended against countries that harm Brazil's competitiveness. He also noted that the US has had a trade surplus of more than $410 billion with Brazil over the past 15 years. Myanmar Tariff rate: 40 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 44 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Clothing, leather goods and seafood Response: Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the spokesperson for Myanmar's military government said it will follow up with negotiations. Laos Tariff rate: 40 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 48 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Shoes with textile uppers, wood furniture, electronic components and optical fiber Cambodia Tariff rate: 36 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 49 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Textiles, clothing, shoes and bicycles Response: Cambodia's chief negotiator, Sun Chanthol, said the country successfully got the tariff dropped from the 49 percent Trump announced in April to 36 percent and is ready to hold a new round of negotiations. He appealed to investors, especially factory owners, and the country's nearly 1 million garment workers not to panic about the tariff rate announced Monday. Thailand Tariff rate: 36 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Computer parts, rubber products and gemstones Response: Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said Thailand will continue to push for tariff negotiations with the United States. Thailand on Sunday submitted a new proposal that includes opening the Thai market for more American agricultural and industrial products and increasing imports of energy and aircraft. Bangladesh Tariff rate: 35 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 37 percent announced in April. Key export to the US: Clothing Response: Bangladesh's finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh hopes to negotiate for a better outcome. There are concerns that additional tariffs would make Bangladesh's garment exports less competitive with countries like Vietnam and India. Canada Tariff rate: 35 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 25 percent imposed earlier this year on goods that don't comply with a North American trade agreement covering the US, Canada and Mexico. Some of Canada's top exports to the US are subject to different industry-specific tariffs. Key exports to the US: Oil and petroleum products, cars and trucks Response: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X early Friday that the government will continue to work toward a trade deal by the new Aug. 1 deadline. Serbia Tariff rate: 35 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 37 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Software and IT services; car tires Indonesia Tariff rate: 32 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Palm oil, cocoa butter and semiconductors Algeria Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Petroleum, cement and iron products Bosnia and Herzegovina Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 35 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Weapons and ammunition The European Union Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 20 percent announced in April but less than the 50 percent Trump later threatened. Key exports to the US: Pharmaceuticals, cars, aircraft, chemicals, medical instruments, and wine and spirits. Iraq Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 39 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Crude oil and petroleum products Response: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the tariffs would disrupt essential supply chains 'to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.' She said the EU remains ready to continue working toward an agreement but will take necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including countermeasures if required. Libya Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 31 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Petroleum products Mexico Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 25 percent imposed earlier this year on goods that don't comply with the free trade agreement covering the US, Mexico and Canada. Some of Mexico's top exports to the US are subject to other sector-specific tariffs. Key exports to the US: Cars, motor vehicle parts and accessories, crude oil, delivery trucks, computers, agricultural products South Africa Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Platinum, diamonds, vehicles and auto parts Response: The office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that the tariff rates announced by Trump mischaracterized the trade relationship with the US, but it would 'continue with its diplomatic efforts toward a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States' after having proposed a trade framework on May 20. Sri Lanka Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 44 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Clothing and rubber products Brunei Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 24 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Mineral fuels and machinery equipment Moldova Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 31 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Fruit juice, wine, clothing and plastic products Japan Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 24 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Autos, auto parts, electronic Response: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the tariff 'extremely regrettable' but said he was determined to continue negotiating. Kazakhstan Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 27 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Oil, uranium, ferroalloys and silver Malaysia Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 24 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Electronics and electrical products Response: Malaysia's government said it will pursue talks with the US A cabinet meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. South Korea Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Vehicles, machinery and electronics Response: South Korea's Trade Ministry said early Tuesday that it will accelerate negotiations with the United States to achieve a deal before the 25 percent tax goes into effect. Tunisia Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 28 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Animal and vegetable fats, clothing, fruit and nuts Philippines Tariff rate: 20 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 17 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Electronics and machinery, clothing and gold
Arab News
12 hours ago
- Arab News
The battle for talent: Saudi Arabia's high-stakes bet on human capital
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia accelerates its transformation under Vision 2030, a critical question has emerged: Can the Kingdom build a homegrown tech workforce strong enough to power its digital ambitions? From artificial intelligence and smart mobility to fintech and clean energy, the Kingdom's rapidly expanding sectors are creating an unprecedented demand for highly skilled professionals. Yet despite billions in investments and major infrastructure rollouts, supply still lags behind demand. This challenge, however, is far from ignored. 'We are proud to take human capital development to the next level,' said Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi, during the launch of the National Skills Platform in April 2025. 'Technical expertise alone is not enough. Leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability are equally important, and skilling and reskilling for the workforce is a national priority that all stakeholders should engage in.' The AI-powered platform connects Saudi job seekers to customized learning pathways, marking a shift toward demand-driven education and training. A national priority Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan, who also chairs the executive committee of the Human Capability Development Program, emphasized the broader purpose behind the Kingdom's reforms. 'Vision 2030 is not just a roadmap for national transformation — it is a model for how investment in people can drive sustainable progress,' Al-Benyan wrote in an April op-ed for Arab News titled 'Vision 2030: Elevating human capability in a changing world.' Citing the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, he noted that while 170 million new jobs will emerge globally by 2030, another 92 million will be displaced. He warned that 44 percent of core skills are set to change within five years, with digital and AI literacy becoming as fundamental as reading and math. 'Without these,' he wrote, 'individuals are unable to participate meaningfully in today's digital economy.' Scaling up training and inclusion This outlook is shaping some of Saudi Arabia's most ambitious workforce initiatives. Among them is the Waad National Training Campaign, launched in 2023 and supported by more than 70 organizations. The program surpassed 1 million training opportunities in its first phase and now targets 3 million by the end of 2025. Waad's Women's Employment Track has been particularly successful, with a 92 percent retention rate in tech roles—contributing to a record rise in female participation across the digital economy. Waad, Al-Rajhi noted, is an investment in 'the promise of human potential.' Meanwhile, the Future Skills Training Initiative, led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology since 2020, has provided training to hundreds of thousands of Saudis in areas like cybersecurity, data science, and cloud computing. Supported by the Digital Skills Framework and private-sector partnerships, it has grown steadily. One such partnership — a 2023 collaboration with IBM — aimed to train 100,000 Saudis in AI and machine learning. Talent gaps persist Despite this progress, a 2025 report by Nucamp and the ministry highlighted a 20 percent shortfall between tech job vacancies and qualified local talent. Critical roles such as AI engineers, cloud architects, and data analysts remain in short supply. 'Demand for AI and cloud experts far exceeds supply,' said Ahmed Helmy, managing director for SAP in the Middle East, in an April interview with Asharq Al-Awsat. The result: fierce competition among employers. To meet short-term needs, Saudi Arabia is tapping into international expertise. The Premium Residency Program, launched in 2021, allows skilled foreign professionals to live and work in the Kingdom without a local sponsor. By late 2023, more than 2,600 had taken advantage of the scheme. In 2024, five new visa categories were introduced to attract investors, entrepreneurs, and tech specialists. These include provisions that exempt founders from Saudization quotas for their first three years—providing flexibility to scale teams while supporting local hiring in the long term. 'Such incentives allow skilled professionals to have a more stable life and make long-term investments in their careers in Saudi Arabia,' said Raymond Khoury, partner at Arthur D. Little, in May. Still, officials stress that international hiring is a stopgap — not a substitute. 'While attracting global talent is crucial, sustainable growth depends on balancing international expertise with local knowledge development,' said Mamdouh Al-Doubayan, MENA managing director at Globant. To that end, foreign hires are increasingly being integrated not just as employees, but as mentors and trainers. Startups adapt with remote models In the private sector, startups are turning to remote hiring to bypass local talent shortages. A 2024 study by Wamda found that many Saudi companies are building distributed teams, sourcing tech talent from Egypt, Jordan, and other regional markets. This strategy shortens hiring cycles and enables around-the-clock operations. The trend aligns with the Kingdom's Telework Initiative, which certifies employers to offer remote roles to Saudis—especially women and those living outside major urban centers. Competitive pressures from giga-projects The hiring challenge became especially acute in 2023. That year, PwC's Middle East Workforce Survey reported that 58 percent of Saudi firms struggled to fill key tech roles. A MAGNiTT report found that 65 percent of startup founders saw the shortage of senior tech talent as their top obstacle. A concurrent survey by Flat6Labs noted that many startups were delaying product launches due to staffing shortages, losing talent to mega-projects offering 30 to 50 percent higher salaries. 'Engineers and product managers often defect to deep-pocketed giga-projects that offer salaries 30–50 percent above startup pay,' wrote venture adviser Aditya Ghosh in a November 2023 LinkedIn Pulse column. Bridging the divide Education leaders are working to close this gap. Khalid Al-Sabti, chairman of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, said in a 2024 Arab News interview that Saudi Arabia is aligning its curriculum with global benchmarks. 'We must ensure our graduates meet international standards to compete globally,' he said. This includes revising curricula, emphasizing hands-on projects, and embedding industry into the classroom through partnership programs. The Talent Enrichment Program, for example, spans 160 countries and offers global certifications to Saudi learners. Encouragingly, Saudi Arabia's position in the IMD World Talent Ranking improved in 2023. Companies such as STC, Aramco Digital, and Elm are now hiring directly from local boot camps and training centers — evidence that education and industry are beginning to align. The road ahead Ultimately, the success of Saudi Arabia's tech talent strategy will be measured not just by enrollments or credentials, but by how effectively new graduates are absorbed into the workforce. If current reforms continue at scale, the Kingdom may not only satisfy its domestic tech demand — but emerge as a regional hub for digital talent. As Al-Benyan wrote: 'By investing in people, fostering global collaboration, and redefining the future of work, Saudi Arabia is demonstrating that human capability is the ultimate driver of progress.'
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Riyadh deputy governor attends French National Day reception
RIYADH: Riyadh Deputy Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz on Thursday attended the French Embassy's reception in the Saudi capital, as part of the French National Day celebrations. Upon arrival, the deputy governor was received by French Ambassador to the Kingdom Patrick Maisonnave, and several members of staff.
