Gulf Countries to Complete Railway Project

GCC Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi speaks at the Middle East Rail Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. (GCC)
GCC Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi speaks at the Middle East Rail Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. (GCC)
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Gulf Countries to Complete Railway Project

GCC Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi speaks at the Middle East Rail Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. (GCC)
GCC Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi speaks at the Middle East Rail Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the GCC Secretariat General, and the GCC Rail Authority are continuing to finalize the completion stages of the railway linking the GCC countries, announced GCC Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi.

Budaiwi thanked and congratulated the United Arab Emirates on completing the railway construction within its territory and extending it to the border with Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Middle East Rail Exhibition and Conference, he underlined the keenness of Gulf leaders to support the process of joint Gulf action to enhance cooperation to reach the desired integration in all fields.

GCC states have taken thoughtful steps to coordinate and unify their policies and strategies, aiming to crystallize an applicable collective action framework that meets the ambitions and aspirations of their people, he added.

Budaiwi affirmed that the GCC states have been able to complete several strategic integration projects.

He stressed that the efforts of the General Secretariat, the GCC Rail Authority, and member states to complete the railway project represent a significant step in the joint Gulf interdependence and integration given its direct positive impact on trade and the free mobility of citizens and residents of the Gulf.

The project also supports joint investments between the member states and strengthens Gulf economic integration and its impact on the global economy.

Budaiwi remarked that the member states, the General Secretariat, and the Gulf Rail Authority are following up on the implementation of the GCC railway project and some member states have already completed building parts of the project within their territories.



Non-Profit Sector Revenue in Saudi Arabia Reaches $14.5 Billion in 2023

The total revenue of non-profit sector organizations in Saudi Arabia marked a 33% increase. SPA
The total revenue of non-profit sector organizations in Saudi Arabia marked a 33% increase. SPA
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Non-Profit Sector Revenue in Saudi Arabia Reaches $14.5 Billion in 2023

The total revenue of non-profit sector organizations in Saudi Arabia marked a 33% increase. SPA
The total revenue of non-profit sector organizations in Saudi Arabia marked a 33% increase. SPA

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has said that the total revenue of non-profit sector organizations in the Kingdom amounted to SAR54.4 billion ($14.5 Billion) in 2023, marking a 33% increase compared to 2022.

The results, shown in the Non-Profit Sector Bulletin for 2023, indicated that health-related activities recorded the highest growth rate compared to the previous year, contributing 70% of the total revenue of the non-profit sector organizations, followed by education and research activities with a 53% increase, and volunteer brokerage and promotion activities with a 36% rise. These activities were the main contributors to the total revenue of non-profit organizations.

The bulletin also revealed that total expenditures of the non-profit sector reached SAR47 billion in 2023. Health-related activities represented the highest expenditure category, showing a 74% increase, followed by education and research activities with a 55% rise, and environmental activities with a 34% increase compared to 2022. These activities were the leading contributors to the total expenditures of non-profit organizations.

The figures also underscored the relative contribution of employed individuals to key activities within the non-profit sector in 2023. Cultural and entertainment activities led with a 27.6%, followed by social services activities at 27.2%, development and housing activities at 12.4%, health activities at 11.5%, and education and research activities at 7.5%. The remaining non-profit sector activities accounted for the remaining 13.8%.