Cruise Saudi, ِAl Madinah Region Development Authority Sign MoU to Boost Tourism Sector

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Cruise Saudi, ِAl Madinah Region Development Authority Sign MoU to Boost Tourism Sector

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)

Cruise Saudi, a wholly owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Al Madinah Region Development Authority signed on Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster economic development in historic Madinah Region, with a focus on social impact both locally and across Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030.

Both the Al Madinah Region Development Authority and Cruise Saudi are aligned in their vision to boost accessibility to Madinah, facilitate regional development, and expand infrastructure to accommodate a growing number of tourists. Under the terms of the agreement, both entities will leverage their capabilities and experiences to realize this shared vision.

The MoU was signed during the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh, an annual event dedicated to promoting Saudi Arabia as a tourist destination. The forum served as a fitting platform for both parties to underscore their commitment to elevating tourism in the Madinah region.

With a wealth of historic wonders and modern attractions, including the coastal city of Yanbu, the Madinah region provides a diverse range of experiences for exploration. Cruise Saudi, through its operations in the Red Sea, will play a pivotal role in facilitating the visits of cruise passengers to this culturally rich and historically significant region.

Mashhoor Baeshen, Executive Director, Destinations Development & Management at Cruise Saudi said: “Unique in history and culture, Madinah has so much to offer tourists seeking an authentic Saudi experience. Cruise Saudi’s signing of the MoU with Al Madinah Region Development Authority marks our commitment to showcasing the most significant historical sites of Saudi Arabia through a carefully curated array of onshore experiences.”

The agreement between Cruise Saudi and Al Madinah Region Development Authority aims to enrich the visitors' experience, create jobs, improve facilities, and drive economic growth, but also to support the Kingdom’s wider objective of welcoming 150 million tourists per year by 2030.



15th Turkish-Arab Economic Cooperation Forum Kicks Off in Istanbul

Aboul Gheit addressing the opening session of the forum (Arab League - X)
Aboul Gheit addressing the opening session of the forum (Arab League - X)
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15th Turkish-Arab Economic Cooperation Forum Kicks Off in Istanbul

Aboul Gheit addressing the opening session of the forum (Arab League - X)
Aboul Gheit addressing the opening session of the forum (Arab League - X)

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, stressed the need for Arab-Turkish economic cooperation to extend beyond trade into broader areas that drive sustainable economic development for both sides.

Speaking at the 15th Turkish-Arab Economic Forum in Istanbul, Aboul Gheit emphasized the importance of collaboration in infrastructure, clean energy, green technology, and services such as tourism and fintech. He also highlighted the potential for joint efforts in scientific research and innovation aimed at mutual economic benefit.

Aboul Gheit pointed out the significant growth in trade between the Arab world and Türkiye in recent years. In 2022, Turkish exports to Arab countries amounted to $46 billion, while Arab exports to Türkiye reached $36 billion, representing a notable share of both sides’ overall trade. However, he urged expanding this relationship to include sectors like energy, technology, and logistics, leveraging the strategic geographical position of both regions as a crucial economic bridge connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The forum, themed “Türkiye and the Arab World: A Global Corridor in Investment, Trade, and Technology,” was organized with the support of Türkiye’s Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other major regional institutions. It aimed to explore new opportunities in emerging sectors such as green energy, fintech, logistics, and capital markets, while addressing the regional and global economic challenges impacting both sides.

Turkish Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Simsek acknowledged the uncertainty facing the global economy, which is limiting growth, especially in global trade. He also noted the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, which are expected to reshape industries and societies. Simsek emphasized the need for Türkiye and the Arab world to capitalize on their potential for economic integration, particularly in this time of global economic shifts.

For his part, Egyptian Finance Minister Ahmed Kojak underlined Egypt’s efforts to ensure financial stability, production growth, and export competitiveness. He pointed to Egypt’s role in regional cooperation, highlighting initiatives such as the electricity grid connection with Saudi Arabia, which showcases the potential for regional collaboration in energy.

Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh focused on the advantages of developing economic corridors between Türkiye and the Arab world, particularly through free trade agreements, while Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami Mohammed stressed Iraq’s openness to cooperation with Türkiye, noting the country’s strategic position for global trade.

In turn, Kuwaiti Finance Minister Noura Suleiman Al-Fusam highlighted the need to remove trade barriers to increase interactions between Türkiye and the Arab world, with a focus on fostering investments.