Saudi Arabia Launches Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition

Visitors at the Jeddah International Tourism and Travel Exhibition 2024. (Photo by: Adnan Mahdali)
Visitors at the Jeddah International Tourism and Travel Exhibition 2024. (Photo by: Adnan Mahdali)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition

Visitors at the Jeddah International Tourism and Travel Exhibition 2024. (Photo by: Adnan Mahdali)
Visitors at the Jeddah International Tourism and Travel Exhibition 2024. (Photo by: Adnan Mahdali)

The Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (JTTX) 2024 kicked off at the Jeddah Superdome on Sunday.

The Jeddah Exhibition is hosting 250 local and international entities, including tourism bodies, the private sector, airlines, hotels, resorts, and specialized tourism companies, and seeking to attract more than 40,000 visitors, tourists, and specialists.

The Exhibition is hosting new companies from several countries, including Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chad, Mauritius, Cyprus, Hungary, Georgia, and other companies from AlUla.

The Jeddah Superdome is the largest geodesic dome in the world to ever stand without pillars and hosts multi-purpose exhibits, sports, shows, and international conferences.

President of the Exhibition’s organizing committee Maya Halfawi stated that the event will present a new vision for tourism.

She stressed that JTTX will be an ideal opportunity for companies and institutions to enhance their business and increase their presence in the growing Saudi market, in line with Vision 2030 goals.

Attracting visitors

The official pointed out that Saudi Arabia is a global tourist destination and a golden opportunity for exhibitors to meet new partners and attract potential customers through various professional marketing tools.

She added that the exhibition identifies the needs and goals of the Saudi market, establishes partnerships in the large travel market, and reaches senior executives and influential decision-makers.

The event is an ideal opportunity for companies and institutions in the travel and tourism industry to enhance their business and increase their presence in the growing Saudi market, she added.

JTTX hosts a wide range of products, making it an annual purchasing destination for travel enthusiasts and an opportunity for exhibitors to present their services and launch new products, attracting greater interest.

Egypt's Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ghada Shalaby revealed Cairo's plans to attract 30 million tourists in 2028, noting that about 15 million visitors arrived in the country last year.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the exhibition, Shalaby discussed the programs and facilities that Egypt provides to tourists and investors.

She touched on her country's launch of a five-year tourist visa worth $700 through embassies and consulates abroad, adding that Egypt grants electronic visas to 180 nationalities.

In its 12th edition, the Jeddah exhibition provides the opportunity to explore investment possibilities in tourism and provides advice on the latest offers, trends, and strategies to enjoy exceptional travel trips through workshops by specialized experts.

Encouraging domestic tourism

The exhibition is seeking to be a link between the participating parties and the travel market in Saudi Arabia to find new and unique ways of business cooperation by encouraging domestic and foreign tourism.

JTTX presents an opportunity for exhibitors to sustain existing partnerships, forge new collaborations, and attract potential customers by leveraging diverse professional marketing tools.

The current edition will focus on implementing partnerships and contracts between local and global parties participating in the exhibition.

The Kingdom has captured the world’s attention as a leading tourist destination. It is aspiring to attract 150 million visits and 70 million international tourists annually by 2030.

Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing destinations in the world. In 2022, it ranked 13th among tourist destinations, and a year later, it landed the second position globally as the fastest-growing tourist destination.



Brazil's Lula Urges Trump to Treat All Countries Equally

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures during a press conference in New Delhi, India, February 22, 2026. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures during a press conference in New Delhi, India, February 22, 2026. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
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Brazil's Lula Urges Trump to Treat All Countries Equally

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures during a press conference in New Delhi, India, February 22, 2026. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures during a press conference in New Delhi, India, February 22, 2026. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday urged Donald Trump to treat all countries equally after the US leader imposed a 15 percent tariff on imports following an adverse Supreme Court ruling.

"I want to tell the US President Donald Trump that we don't want a new Cold War. We don't want interference in any other country, we want all countries to be treated equally," Lula told reporters in New Delhi.

The conservative-majority Supreme Court on Friday ruled six to three that a 1977 law Trump has relied on to slap sudden levies on individual countries, upending global trade, "does not authorize the President to impose tariffs".

According to AFP, Lula said he would not like to react to Supreme Court decisions of another country, but hoped that Brazil's relations with the United States "will go back to normalcy" soon.

The veteran leftist Brazilian leader is expected to travel to Washington next month for a meeting with Trump.

"I am convinced that Brazil-US relation will go back to normalcy after our conversation," Lula, 80, said, adding Brazil only wanted to "live in peace, generate jobs, and improve lives of our people".

Ties between Brazil and the United States appear to be on the mend after months of animosity between Washington and Brasilia.

As a result, Trump's administration has exempted key Brazilian exports from 40 percent tariffs that had been imposed on the South American country last year.

"The world doesn't need more turbulence, it needs peace," said Lula who arrived in India on Wednesday to attend a summit on artificial intelligence.

On Saturday, India and Brazil agreed to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths and signed a raft of other deals after a meeting between Lula and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.


IMF Acknowledges Economic Turnaround in Pakistan

A man cuts meat at a local restaurant in Karachi (EPA)
A man cuts meat at a local restaurant in Karachi (EPA)
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IMF Acknowledges Economic Turnaround in Pakistan

A man cuts meat at a local restaurant in Karachi (EPA)
A man cuts meat at a local restaurant in Karachi (EPA)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has acknowledged a marked improvement in Pakistan's economic outlook, stating that policy efforts under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) have helped stabilize the economy, contain inflation and rebuild confidence, as the country prepares for a fresh round of review talks later this month.

Speaking at a press briefing in Washington, IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack said an IMF staff team will visit Pakistan from February 25 for discussions on the Third Review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Second Review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

According to Pakistani newspaper, The Express Tribute, Kozack described Pakistan's fiscal performance in the 2025 financial year as “strong,” noting that the country has achieved a primary fiscal surplus of 1.3% of GDP, a figure that aligns with agreed program targets.

Last December, the IMF approved the release of $1.2 billion to Pakistan, giving the cash-strapped country a fresh boost as it works to recover from one of its worst economic crises in years.

The IMF will provide Pakistan $1 billion under its Extended Fund Facility and $200 million under its Resilience and Sustainability Facility.

Pakistan's central bank governor Jameel Ahmad told Reuters this week the recovery is broader and more durable than headline export data suggest.

The chief said he expects the economy to grow as much as 4.75% this fiscal year, pushing back against a recent downgrade by the IMF.

He said differences in projections were not unusual and reflected timing issues, including the IMF's incorporation of flood-related assessments in its latest outlook.

“All these sources and indicators, along with FY26-Q1 data, point to a broad-based recovery in all three sectors of the economy,” Ahmad said.

He added that the central bank believed that agricultural activity had remained resilient despite floods and “it is even performing better than its targets.”

Ahmad said financial conditions had eased significantly following a cumulative 1,150 basis point cut in the policy rate since June 2024, and that the full impact was still feeding through. This, he said, was supporting growth while preserving price and economic stability.

The central bank last month held its benchmark rate at 10.5%, defying expectations for a cut.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) raised its FY26 growth forecast to 3.75–4.75% at its January meeting, 0.5 percentage point higher than its previous range, despite a contraction in exports in the first half of the year and a widening trade deficit.

The governor said differences in projections were not unusual and reflected timing issues, including the IMF's incorporation of flood-related assessments in its latest outlook.

While exports declined in the first half of the fiscal year, Ahmad said the fall reflected low global prices and border disruptions rather than softer activity.
The divergence with the IMF comes at a delicate moment for Pakistan, which is emerging from a balance-of-payments crisis under a $7 billion IMF program.

Pakistan's previous growth spurts have often led to currency pressure and a decline in foreign exchange reserves, making the sustainability of the current rebound a key question for investors.

Ahmad said high-frequency indicators and 6% growth in large-scale manufacturing in July–November point to strengthening demand, while agriculture has remained resilient despite last year's floods.

“Additionally, if the government decided to tap global capital markets for any debt issuance, then that would be on the upside of our current assessment,” he said.

Pakistan plans to issue panda bonds, a yuan-denominated debt sold in China's domestic market around the upcoming Lunar New Year, as part of efforts to diversify external financing and broaden its investor base.

Ahmad said the central bank has been consistently purchasing dollars in the interbank market to strengthen foreign exchange buffers, with data published regularly.

He said that while economic stability has improved, structural reforms remain key to sustaining stronger growth and improving productivity.


India, Brazil Sign Agreement to Boost Cooperation on Rare Earths, Cut Dependence on China

Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 21, 2026 (EPA)
Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 21, 2026 (EPA)
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India, Brazil Sign Agreement to Boost Cooperation on Rare Earths, Cut Dependence on China

Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 21, 2026 (EPA)
Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 21, 2026 (EPA)

India and Brazil sealed a deal Saturday on critical minerals and rare earths following a meeting in New Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

“The agreement on critical minerals and rare earths is a major step towards building resilient supply chains,” Modi said.

“Increasing investments and cooperation in matters of renewable energies and critical minerals is at the core of the pioneering agreement that we have signed today,” said Lula, who arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a summit on artificial intelligence, accompanied by a delegation of more than a dozen ministers as well as business leaders.

The details of the deal were not immediately available but a senior Indian foreign ministry official said official discussions were underway.

Brazil has the world's second-largest reserves of critical minerals, which are used in everything from electric vehicles, solar panels and smartphones to jet engines and guided missiles.

India, seeking to cut its dependence on top exporter China, has been expanding domestic production and recycling while scouting for new suppliers.

Main Trade Partner

“Brazil is India's largest trade partner in Latin America. We are committed to taking our bilateral trade beyond $20 billion in the coming five years,” Modi said. “Our trade is not just a figure, but a reflection of trust.”

Nine other agreements and memoranda of understanding were finalized on Saturday, covering digital cooperation, health, entrepreneurship and other fields.

Rishabh Jain, an expert with the Delhi-based Council on Energy, Environment and Water think tank, said India's growing cooperation with Brazil on critical minerals complements recent supply chain engagements with the United States, France and the European Union.

While these partnerships grant India access to advanced technologies, finance and high-end processing capabilities, “Global South alliances are critical for securing diversified, on-ground resource access and shaping emerging rules of global trade,” Jain told AFP.

India, the world's most populous nation, is the 10th largest market for Brazilian exports, with bilateral trade topping $15 billion in 2025.

Key Brazilian exports to India include sugar, crude oil, vegetable oils, cotton and iron ore.

Demand for iron ore has been driven by rapid infrastructure expansion and industrial growth in India, which is on track to become the world's fourth largest economy.