Latest news with #RIYADH
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia's health sector sees 145% surge in beneficiaries in 2024
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Health Sector Transformation Report for 2024 has revealed substantial improvements in the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of healthcare services, aligned with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives. According to the report, more than 33 million individuals benefited from the services and pathways of the Saudi healthcare model by the end of 2024 — a 145% increase compared to the previous year. The integrated model is designed to deliver tailored, comprehensive healthcare that meets the varying health and age-related needs of the population. Patient satisfaction with medical services reached 83.38%, reflecting enhanced service integration and overall improvement in healthcare delivery across the Kingdom's regions. Insurance coverage also saw significant growth, with over 13 million beneficiaries now accessing health services through insurance schemes, supporting greater equity and access across different segments of the workforce front, the report highlighted that more than 30,000 individuals have graduated from Saudi Board programs since their number of Board seats increased by 71% compared to 2021, underscoring the Kingdom's commitment to empowering national healthcare professionals and sustaining the Arabia also led the region in promoting healthy living environments. In 2024, 16 cities were designated as 'healthy cities' in line with World Health Organization standards — the highest number in the region. These designations aim to improve quality of life and support healthier lifestyles across urban centers.
Arab News
07-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
UAE sets tax nexus rules for non-resident investors in real estate, funds
RIYADH: The UAE has issued new guidelines that clarify when foreigners and non-residents will be treated as having a taxable presence in the country when it comes to real estate and investment funds. The updated rules, announced by the Ministry of Finance, are aimed at reducing compliance burdens and increasing transparency, reported the Emirates News Agency, also known as WAM. The decision outlines conditions under which a non-resident juridical person — typically a legal entity — would be considered to have a nexus in the UAE, and therefore be subject to corporate tax. Under the new rules, a nexus is deemed to exist for non-resident juridical investors in Qualifying Investment Funds in specific cases. If the fund distributes at least 80 percent of its income within nine months from the end of its financial year, the nexus is triggered on the date of dividend distribution. If that threshold is not met, the nexus is established on the date the ownership interest is acquired. A nexus will also apply if the fund fails to meet diversity of ownership conditions during the relevant tax period. The same logic applies to Real Estate Investment Trusts, where a nexus is triggered either on the date of dividend distribution — provided 80 percent or more of income is distributed within nine months — or from the date of acquiring ownership if the condition is not satisfied, according to WAM. Outside of these scenarios, non-resident juridical persons that invest exclusively in QIFs or REITs will not be considered to have a taxable presence in the UAE. The ministry said the decision is intended to ease compliance requirements for foreign investors while supporting the country's goal of fostering a transparent and competitive tax environment. In December, the UAE announced the implementation of a 15 percent minimum top-up tax on large multinational companies, effective January. The move aligns the country with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's global minimum tax framework, aimed at curbing tax base erosion and profit shifting by ensuring large corporations pay a minimum level regardless of where they operate.
Saudi Gazette
04-04-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister welcomes Saudi Minister of State in Ashgabat
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Rashid Meredov, Turkmenistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd, Saudi Arabia's Minister of State and Cabinet Member, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ashgabat on Wednesday. During their meeting, the two officials discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two nations, exploring ways to further enhance cooperation across various sectors. Earlier this year, a significant step in Saudi-Turkmen collaboration was marked with the signing of an $80 million development loan agreement. Sultan Al-Marshad, Chief Executive of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), signed the agreement with Rahimberdi Jepbarov, Chairman of the Turkmenistan State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs. The loan will fund a project aimed at improving cancer treatment services in Turkmenistan by establishing three specialized cancer treatment centers across the country. These centers will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and have a combined capacity of 500 beds, providing better healthcare services to patients.
Arab News
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
MWL chief calls for unity during Albania's Eid sermon
RIYADH: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, visited Albania at the invitation of President Bajram Begaj. During his visit, he delivered the Eid Al-Fitr sermon at the Great Mosque of Tirana, the largest in Albania and the Balkans. A large crowd attended, including prominent scholars like Sheikh Boyar Spahiu, chairman of the Islamic Sheikhdom and grand mufti of Albania. Al-Issa began with heartfelt Eid greetings, calling it a time of joy and divine grace, as well as an opportunity to embrace Islamic values and faith-based brotherhood. He stressed that Eid strengthens bonds of forgiveness, unity, and friendship, extending beyond Muslims to all humanity. Focusing on the Qur'an's virtues, he described it as 'a guide to what is most upright,' leading believers in faith, worship, and conduct. Al-Issa also reflected on the Prophet Muhammad's role in spreading Islam with justice and high moral values. Despite attempts to undermine the faith, nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide continue to practice it with pride, he noted. Al-Issa urged the crowd to uphold Islam's reputation, stating that true pride lies in actions. He emphasized that Muslims must be good ambassadors of Islam, embodying its core principles and high values, regardless of circumstances or provocations. Praising Albania's social harmony, he described Albanians as a model of faith, coexistence, and peace, noting that their commitment to forgiveness and morality strengthens both their nation and the global community. He highlighted the family as society's foundation, calling it every nation's hope and safety net. He also stressed the vital role of Muslim women in nurturing children and instilling correct religious beliefs.
Saudi Gazette
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Ukrainian and US officials hold 'productive' ceasefire talks in Riyadh
RIYADH — Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Sunday that talks between US and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia were "productive and focused" and with "key points including energy" addressed. The US negotiators are holding talks in Riyadh with their Ukrainian counterparts and separately with the Russians on Monday. Washington's aim is to bring about an immediate partial ceasefire to the war in Ukraine, followed by a comprehensive peace deal. "I feel that he (Putin) wants peace," said President Trump's personal envoy Steve Witkoff, adding: "I think that you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress." In a post on social media platform X, Umerov, who is leading the Ukrainian delegation, emphasized that President Volodymyr Zelensky's goal is to 'secure a just and lasting peace" for Ukraine and Europe at large, claiming, "We are working to make that goal a reality." The Ukrainian delegation also included State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleksandr Karasevych, deputy heads of the President's Office – Pavlo Palisa and Ihor Zhovkva – as well as Deputy Energy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk, according to the Ukrinform news agency. Palisa confirmed on the same day that they would not be meeting with the Russian delegation in Riyadh. In a video address on Sunday evening, Zelensky said that the talks held that day between the US and Ukrainian officials were "very productive". He also called on all parties to continue to exert pressure on Russia to compel it to achieve a "genuine" ceasefire. The talks came almost two weeks after a previous meeting between the two sides in the Saudi port city of Jeddah, which saw Kyiv agree to a Washington proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, in exchange for the US lifting its pause on military aid to and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Notably, the meeting precedes the talks between US and Russian delegations, which are scheduled to take place on Monday. The Kremlin's delegation includes the chairman of the committee on international affairs in Russia's upper house, Grigory Karasin, and adviser to the head of Russia's Federal Security Service, Sergey Beseda, according to a Russian presidential aide. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that efforts to stop further escalation between Russia and Ukraine were 'somewhat under control'. He's also stated that he hopes the Riyadh talks offer a breakthrough to finally bring the more than three-year war to a close. Yet Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman has dampened expectations. "We are only at the beginning of this path," he told Russian state TV. The US-Ukraine talks began soon after nightfall on Sunday, behind closed doors. Black Sea shipping lanes are also under discussion, with Russia reportedly keen to revive a deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain from its ports without being attacked, in exchange for relief on sanctions. Both sides, Russia and Ukraine, have carried out hugely destructive attacks on each other's infrastructure. — Agencies
