Expo! Expo! MENA Opens in Riyadh

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events holds Expo! Expo! MENA in Riyadh
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events holds Expo! Expo! MENA in Riyadh
TT

Expo! Expo! MENA Opens in Riyadh

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events holds Expo! Expo! MENA in Riyadh
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events holds Expo! Expo! MENA in Riyadh

Riyadh International Exhibition and Conference Center, in partnership with the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA), hosts on Sunday the Expo! Expo! MENA exhibition, organized by 1st Arabia Tradeshows and Conferences.

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events holds Expo! Expo! MENA in Riyadh, marking the debut of the event outside the US, where it takes place each December.

The three-day exhibition acts as a platform for exchanging opinions and experience, finding opportunities, capabilities and solutions, learning about the latest developments in the industry, as well as showcasing the Saudi experience, which has become a milestone in the exhibition, conference and events sector.

1st Arabia Tradeshows and Conferences CEO Bilal Al-Barmawi said that more than 100 exhibitors from different countries participate in the exhibition, where Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority Acting CEO Amjad Shaker delivers the opening speech.

There’s also a lineup of speakers from different countries, authorities and organizations.

Throughout the working sessions, decision makers and experts will present best practices, innovations, new services and products, and there will be opportunities to strike partnerships and develop the business.

The exhibition enables participants and attendees to learn about investment opportunities in the Kingdom, which will help boost the sector and achieve its goals in line with Vision 2030.



Lebanon's Bonds Rally as Parliament Elects 1st President since 2022

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri shakes hands with Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun after he is elected as the country’s president at the parliament building in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 9, 2025. Reuters/Mohamed Azakir
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri shakes hands with Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun after he is elected as the country’s president at the parliament building in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 9, 2025. Reuters/Mohamed Azakir
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Lebanon's Bonds Rally as Parliament Elects 1st President since 2022

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri shakes hands with Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun after he is elected as the country’s president at the parliament building in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 9, 2025. Reuters/Mohamed Azakir
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri shakes hands with Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun after he is elected as the country’s president at the parliament building in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 9, 2025. Reuters/Mohamed Azakir

Lebanese government bonds extended their three-month-long rally on Thursday as the crisis-ravaged country's parliament voted in a new head of state for the first time since 2022.

Lebanese lawmakers elected army chief Joseph Aoun as president. It came after the failure of 12 previous attempts to pick a president and boosts hopes that Lebanon might finally be able to start addressing its dire economic woes.

The country's battered bonds have almost trebled in value since September, when the regional conflict with Israel weakened Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, long viewed as an obstacle to overcoming its political paralysis.

According to Reuters, most of Lebanon's international bonds, which have been in default since 2020, rallied after Aoun's victory was announced to stand 1.3 to 1.7 cents higher on the day and at just over 16 cents on the dollar.

They have risen almost every day since late December, although they remain some of the lowest-priced government bonds in the world, reflecting the scale of Lebanon's difficulties.

With its economy and financial system still reeling from a collapse in 2019, Lebanon is in dire need of international support to rebuild from the conflict, which the World Bank estimates to have cost the country $8.5 billion.

Hasnain Malik, an analyst at financial research firm Tellimer said Aoun's victory was "the first necessary step on a very long road to recovery".

Malik said Aoun now needs to appoint a prime minister and assemble a cabinet that can retain the support of parliament, resuscitate long-delayed reforms and help Lebanon secure international financial support.

The 61-year old Aoun fell short of the required support in Thursday's first round of parliamentary voting and only succeeded in a second round, reportedly after a meeting with Hezbollah and Amal party MPs.

"That presents significant ongoing risk to any new PM and cabinet, which need to maintain the confidence of a majority of parliament," Malik said.