Red Sea National Academy to Support Saudi Tourism Sector

The academy's objective is to train 10,000 participants by 2030, preparing young Saudis for diverse roles within the tourism sector. SPA
The academy's objective is to train 10,000 participants by 2030, preparing young Saudis for diverse roles within the tourism sector. SPA
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Red Sea National Academy to Support Saudi Tourism Sector

The academy's objective is to train 10,000 participants by 2030, preparing young Saudis for diverse roles within the tourism sector. SPA
The academy's objective is to train 10,000 participants by 2030, preparing young Saudis for diverse roles within the tourism sector. SPA

The establishment of "the Red Sea National Academy" (TRSNA) was announced during the Human Capability Initiative held in Riyadh to implement joint programs between the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, Colleges of Excellence and Red Sea Global, to qualify trainees with technical specializations that align with the demands of the labor market in the region.

The announcement of the establishment was made under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister of the Kingdom.

TRSNA will be established and operated in Al-Wajh and develop joint training programs that are aligned with the needs of the labor market.

The academy's objective is to train 10,000 participants by 2030, preparing young Saudis for diverse roles within the tourism sector. The signing of the agreement was sponsored by Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan.

The agreement involved the Vice Governor of Planning & Business Development at the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, Reem Al-Muqbel, CEO of Colleges of Excellence, Eng. Ayman Al-Abdullah, and Group CEO of Red Sea Global John Pagano.

Al-Muqbel underscored the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation's commitment to developing national human resources through various training programs and building strategic partnerships with the private sector to address the labor market's needs for qualified human resources.

Al-Abdullah expressed confidence in TRSNA's ability to supply the tourism sector with qualified Saudis. He emphasized that TRSNA will create a stimulating training environment to enhance creative and innovative skills among trainees, becoming a leading center for education and training in the field of tourism, thereby enhancing the Kingdom's position as a global tourist destination.

Highlighting TRSNA as part of the Strategic Partnership Institutes in the Kingdom emphasizes its commitment to providing high-quality training programs tailored to the evolving demands of the labor market.

Pagano commented that, as one of the core projects in making Vision 2030 a reality, RSG is at the forefront of the Kingdom's growing tourism industry.

It has two hotels open, with an additional four resorts scheduled to open by the end of this year and 19 hotels across The Red Sea and Amaala opening next year.



Washington Urges Israel to Extend Cooperation with Palestinian Banks

A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)
A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)
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Washington Urges Israel to Extend Cooperation with Palestinian Banks

A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)
A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)

The United States on Thursday called on Israel to extend its cooperation with Palestinian banks for another year, to avoid blocking vital transactions in the occupied West Bank.

"I am glad that Israel has allowed its banks to continue cooperating with Palestinian banks, but I remain convinced that a one-year extension of the waiver to facilitate this cooperation is needed," US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday, on the sidelines of a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Rio de Janeiro.

In May, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to cut off a vital banking channel between Israel and the West Bank in response to three European countries recognizing the State of Palestine.

On June 30, however, Smotrich extended a waiver that allows cooperation between Israel's banking system and Palestinian banks in the occupied West Bank for four months, according to Israeli media, according to AFP.

The Times of Israel newspaper reported that the decision on the waiver was made at a cabinet meeting in a "move that saw Israel legalize several West Bank settlement outposts."

The waiver was due to expire at the end of June, and the extension permitted Israeli banks to process payments for salaries and services to the Palestinian Authority in shekels, averting a blow to a Palestinian economy already devastated by the war in Gaza.

The Israeli threat raised serious concerns in the United States, which said at the time it feared "a humanitarian crisis" if banking ties were cut.

According to Washington, these banking channels are key to nearly $8 billion of imports from Israel to the West Bank, including electricity, water, fuel and food.