Eastern, Northern 'Green Corridors' to Connect India with Gulf, Europe

First day of G20 summit meeting in New Delhi (API)
First day of G20 summit meeting in New Delhi (API)
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Eastern, Northern 'Green Corridors' to Connect India with Gulf, Europe

First day of G20 summit meeting in New Delhi (API)
First day of G20 summit meeting in New Delhi (API)

Economists said the Green Corridors project will link India, the Middle East, and Europe, boost economic relations, increase efficiency, ease trade exchange, and develop supply chains and logistics.

It will also contribute to revitalizing and developing new economic activities along the corridor.

On Saturday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a memorandum of understanding to establish intercontinental "green corridors" linking India, the Middle East, and Europe.

Economic advisor and head of the Joatha Consulting Center, Ihsan Buhulaiga, said the economic corridor represents a global partnership with multiple pillars for communication linking India, the Middle East, and Europe.

Buhulaiga explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the project consists of two economic corridors: an eastern one connecting India with the Arabian Gulf region and a northern one linking the Arabian Gulf region with Europe.

The project will connect the three regions through advanced communication infrastructure, strengthening the economic relationship and enabling access to goods, energy, and data for individuals and companies.

The expert pointed out that the project includes integrating several railway lines and ports, starting from India and passing through Saudi Arabia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe, which leads to the development of supply chains and logistics services and the smooth transportation of goods between these countries.

It will also contribute to the development of energy infrastructure and, enable the production and transportation of green hydrogen, enhance communication and data transfer by constructing a new cable that extends under the sea and connects the countries.

He confirmed Saudi Arabia's readiness and support for such projects, pointing out that the Kingdom launched, in mid-2021, the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

The Kingdom is on its way to becoming the largest producer of green hydrogen, with Neom preparing to produce up to 600 tonnes per day of carbon-free hydrogen by the end of 2026.

Economic analyst and logistics expert Fahd al-Thunayan believes that the economic corridor will support the logistics network sector, the backbone of economies.

Thunayan described investments in transportation infrastructure as huge investments that need the support and solidarity of governments, explaining that the world needs to establish such corridors for the global economy.

Converting to renewable energy comes within the framework of the economic corridor project, said the expert, noting that it would contribute to supporting the private sector.

He noted that it would help the sector move forward with these projects, raise their economic feasibility, create new and extensive opportunities for improvement, sustainability, and development, and enhance cooperation between countries to serve the common interests of the global economy.

Furthermore, the former senior adviser to the Saudi Ministry of Energy, Mohammad al-Sabban, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the economic corridor is essential for the region and all countries it will pass through.

The project will link trade between regions and the countries it will pass through, Sabban said, adding that it would promote trade exchange and revitalize new economic activities along the economic corridor.

He explained that the project would help develop and promote electricity and clean hydrogen transmission through infrastructure cables and lines and in the construction of railways linking the areas it will pass through.

It would also help develop the digital economy through connectivity and digital transmission of data through fiber optic cables.



Türkiye TPAO, Shell Sign Deal to Carry out Exploration Work offshore Bulgaria

A Shell logo is seen at a gas station in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 12, 2018. (Reuters)
A Shell logo is seen at a gas station in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 12, 2018. (Reuters)
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Türkiye TPAO, Shell Sign Deal to Carry out Exploration Work offshore Bulgaria

A Shell logo is seen at a gas station in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 12, 2018. (Reuters)
A Shell logo is seen at a gas station in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 12, 2018. (Reuters)

Türkiye Petrolleri (TPAO) has signed a partnership agreement with Shell to carry out exploration work in Bulgaria's maritime zone, the Turkish energy ministry and British oil major said on Wednesday.

European Union member Bulgaria, which had been totally dependent on Russian gas until 2022, has been seeking to diversify its gas supplies and find cheaper sources, Reuters reported.

TPAO and Shell will jointly explore the Khan Tervel block, located near Türkiye's Sakarya gas field, and will hold a five-year licence in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said.

Shell will continue as operator of the block, while TPAO will take a 33% interest in the licence, a Shell spokesperson said.

Since the start of this year, TPAO has signed energy cooperation agreements with ExxonMobil, Chevron and BP for possible exploration work in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

In April, Shell signed a contract with Bulgaria's government to allow the oil major to explore 4,000 square metres in the block.


Saudia Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City

udia will develop special travel packages designed to enable visitors to experience world-class attractions - SPA
udia will develop special travel packages designed to enable visitors to experience world-class attractions - SPA
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Saudia Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City

udia will develop special travel packages designed to enable visitors to experience world-class attractions - SPA
udia will develop special travel packages designed to enable visitors to experience world-class attractions - SPA

Saudia Airlines has signed a five-year strategic partnership with Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City, becoming the official premier partner exclusively in the airline category.

As part of the partnership, Saudia will develop special travel packages designed to enable visitors to experience world-class attractions. The collaboration also brings the spirit of Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City to the skies through special aircraft branding across Saudia’s fleet, SPA reported. 

Chief Marketing Officer of Saudia Group Khaled Tash said in a press release: "Saudia is committed to supporting national development projects as part of its contribution to Vision 2030, aligned with our strategy to bring the world to the Kingdom. Partnerships of this scale with national partners play a key role in positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading global destination for entertainment and tourism."

Park President of Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City Brian Machamer added: "Our partnership with Saudia not only reflects a shared ambition to connect the Kingdom to the world through world-class entertainment experiences, but strengthens our ability to attract visitors from around the world and realize our vision of setting a new global benchmark for immersive, world-class theme park entertainment and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on the global tourism stage."

Six Flags Qiddiya City sets a new benchmark for exceptional entertainment regionally and globally. Spanning six iconic themed lands, the theme park takes visitors on an immersive journey across 28 rides and attractions designed to world-class standards. Beyond the scale and diversity of its offerings, Six Flags Qiddiya City stands out for pushing the boundaries of engineering and entertainment, featuring five exclusive, record-breaking rides that have redefined global benchmarks. Leading these innovations is Falcons Flight, the roller coaster that has captured global attention as the fastest, tallest, and longest in the world.

Aquarabia Qiddiya City delivers a distinctive aquatic entertainment experience, offering 22 rides and water attractions, along with a man-made river designed for both relaxation and family-friendly water fun. For guests seeking privacy and elevated comfort, Aquarabia features 91 luxury cabanas, positioning the destination as a fully integrated leisure offering that redefines water-based entertainment to the highest international standards.

Located in the Tuwaiq Mountains near Riyadh, Qiddiya City is an emerging destination bringing together entertainment, sports, and culture. Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City form part of its entertainment offering.


Moody’s Establishes Regional HQ in Riyadh, Deepening Presence in Region

(FILES) Signage for Moody's Corporation is displayed at their headquarters at 7 World Trade Center on March 18, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
(FILES) Signage for Moody's Corporation is displayed at their headquarters at 7 World Trade Center on March 18, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
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Moody’s Establishes Regional HQ in Riyadh, Deepening Presence in Region

(FILES) Signage for Moody's Corporation is displayed at their headquarters at 7 World Trade Center on March 18, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
(FILES) Signage for Moody's Corporation is displayed at their headquarters at 7 World Trade Center on March 18, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Moody’s Corporation announced that it has established its regional headquarters in Riyadh, reflecting ongoing commitment to support the development of the Kingdom’s capital markets and economy.

“This investment aligns to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative and underscores its dynamism and growth,” Moody’s said in a statement this week.

The new regional headquarters marks an expansion of Moody’s presence in Saudi Arabia, where the company first opened an office in 2018, and reflects its longstanding commitment to the Middle East.

“The headquarters will strengthen Moody’s engagement with Saudi institutions and enable broader access to Moody’s decision grade data, analytics and insights,” said the statement.

“Our decision to establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh reflects our confidence in Saudi Arabia’s strong economic momentum, as well as our commitment to helping domestic and international investors unlock opportunities with our expertise and insights,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Moody’s Rob Fauber.

“We are well positioned to provide the analytical capabilities and market intelligence that investors and institutions need to navigate evolving markets across the Middle East,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Mahmoud Totonji will lead the regional headquarters as General Manager.