Saudi Economy Ministry Signs MoU with Alfaisal University to Promote Economic Development

The signing of the agreement took place at the university's headquarters in Riyadh. SPA
The signing of the agreement took place at the university's headquarters in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Economy Ministry Signs MoU with Alfaisal University to Promote Economic Development

The signing of the agreement took place at the university's headquarters in Riyadh. SPA
The signing of the agreement took place at the university's headquarters in Riyadh. SPA

The Ministry of Economy and Planning and Alfaisal University signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote economic development and implement awareness programs and initiatives to serve the community, in line with achieving Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

The signing of the agreement took place at the university's headquarters in Riyadh.

The MoU was signed by Rakan bin Abdullah Al Alsheikh, Deputy Minister for Policies and Economic Planning at the Ministry of Economy and Planning, and princess Dr. Maha bint Meshari Al Saud, the Alfaisal University Vice President of External Relations and Advancement.

Under the MoU, the two parties will cooperate to promote economic development, activate academic research, implement awareness programs and initiatives to serve the community, as well as cooperate on various activities and events.

The MoU stipulates that the two sides cooperate to maximize the university’s economic return, form a network of joint opinion experts to provide feedback on various economic topics, and to exchange expertise in preparing and writing academic research and public policies in the field of economics.

The Ministry of Economy and Planning will provide consultations on the use of university resources such as student research, faculty members, and research laboratories on economic priority topics that support Saudi Vision 2030. It will offer facilities and cooperation in designing and formulating research project launch plans, and supervise a team of researchers from both sides, which will be assigned to prepare public policy studies and academic research for the Ministry.



Saudi Market Rises as Investors Absorb Tariff Shock

Entrance to the Tadawul Tower in Riyadh’s financial district (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Entrance to the Tadawul Tower in Riyadh’s financial district (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Market Rises as Investors Absorb Tariff Shock

Entrance to the Tadawul Tower in Riyadh’s financial district (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Entrance to the Tadawul Tower in Riyadh’s financial district (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Gulf markets trimmed their losses on Monday, with the Saudi stock index erasing earlier declines and turning positive, driven by gains in major stocks such as ACWA Power and Aramco.

Despite a sluggish start, influenced by tariff concerns, the Tadawul index managed to overcome these challenges, closing 1.1% higher.

In contrast, other Gulf bourses saw limited declines, with Qatar and Kuwait exchanges registering drops, while the Muscat bourse also experienced a slight dip.

These movements come amid a broader retreat in global stock markets, still reacting to US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose tariff hikes.

The Saudi stock market rose 1.1%, closing at 11,194 points, up 117 points. The market recorded active trading, with total turnover reaching approximately 10.6 billion riyals ($2.8 billion), the highest since December 2024.

Despite a sharp decline of over 400 points earlier in the session, which brought the market to a low of 10,657 points, it successfully recovered to end the day higher. On Sunday, the market had dropped by more than 800 points.

ACWA Power led the gainers, jumping 6.8% to close at 331 riyals. Aramco shares also rose 1%, reaching 25.25 riyals.

Meanwhile, Al Takaful Cooperative saw a 5% increase, closing at 131 riyals, following the company’s announcement of cash dividends for shareholders.

These movements come as markets absorb the shock of the tariff hike, with Gulf financial markets showing mixed performance following sharp declines in reaction to Trump’s decision to raise tariffs.