Insights: General
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Saudi private sector ‘needs 4.1m nationals by 2030’
Saudi Arabia must employ 4.1 million Saudi nationals in the private sector by 2030 if it is to achieve its aims of nationalising the workforce and diversifying the economy, a new report claims. Research by Oxford Consulting Group analyses the kingdom’s labour needs in the context of its Vision 2030 economic strategy. Saudi Arabia has
Dubai aims to double the rate of energy efficiency by 2030
Emirates Green Building Council (Emirates GBC) has begun working with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy with the intent to double the rate of energy efficiency in buildings by 2030. This resolve follows the partnership between the World Green Building Council and the Building Efficiency Accelerator (BEA) also aiming to raise efficiency within buildings. The
SAUDI ARABIA | Medical Insurance Requirement Eliminated for US Nationals
The Consulate Generals of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the United States have reversed the recent global decision requiring business and work visa applicants to purchase additional medical insurance before being granted a visa to the Kingdom. Visa applications submitted by U.S. citizens at the Saudi Arabian consulates in Washington, D.C.; New York; Los
1000-seat theatre to come up at Dubai Safari
Dubai: The main building of the Dubai Safari Park project to be built at a cost of Dh151 million has been approved by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Municipality, the civic body announced on Sunday. The municipality also released an image of the
Marriott inks deal to run luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi
Hospitality giant Marriott has signed an agreement to operate a five-star hotel close to the Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi. The luxury Marriott Al Forsan Hotel is slated to open later this year following the management agreement, a statement said. The hotel features 400 rooms and suites, seven restaurants and lounges, a
Saudi to compare expat remittances to earnings
Authorities in Saudi Arabia are reportedly considering plans to introduce a new mechanism that will compare remittances to a sender’s income. The new mechanism could potentially impact millions of expats who live and work in the kingdom. Arab News reports that the project is the brainchild of the country’s Finance Ministry, the Saudi Arabian Monetary
Hospitality chain SFC Group says planning $16m UAE investment
Hospitality chain SFC Group has announced that it will invest AED60 million ($16.3 million) to expand its restaurant vertical SFC Plus in the UAE. The company said in a statement that it wants to add 25 new SFC Plus restaurants over the next four years to capitalise on the growing popularity of the quick service
Dubai property prices, rents may not rebound until 2018
Residential property prices continued to fall during the first half of 2016, with values expected to decline further until the end of 2017, according to a new report. Phidar Advisory’s latest Dubai residential research note said “soft demand” was behind the latest price drops rather than supply which has expanded slowly over the past 30
Oman allows three-month stay on multiple entry visas
Oman will reportedly relax rules on multiple entry visas for some countries in a bid to boost its economy. As of July 20, people visiting from 38 countries can stay for three months, an increase from the previous rules which allowed a three-week stay. It is hoped the extension will allow investors more time to
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