Saudi Tourism Development Fund Signs MoU with Spain's IE University

The agreement aims to improve employee knowledge, awareness, and competencies in the tourism field. SPA
The agreement aims to improve employee knowledge, awareness, and competencies in the tourism field. SPA
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Saudi Tourism Development Fund Signs MoU with Spain's IE University

The agreement aims to improve employee knowledge, awareness, and competencies in the tourism field. SPA
The agreement aims to improve employee knowledge, awareness, and competencies in the tourism field. SPA

The Saudi Tourism Development Fund (TDF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IE University in Spain, a higher education institution focused on training influential leaders. The objective is to implement tailored educational programs and training courses for TDF employees, aligning with the National Tourism Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.

The agreement, inked by TDF CEO Qusai bin Abdullah Al-Fakhri and IE University President Santiago Iñiguez, aims to elevate employee knowledge, awareness, and competencies in the tourism field.

Al-Fakhri stated that the MoU signifies a significant step toward fostering positive interaction between the tourism sector and educational institutions. The goal is to enhance human capabilities, equip individuals with necessary skills and knowledge, and align development with quality and excellence standards. This, in turn, contributes to professional growth, active participation in Saudi Arabia's tourism boom, and a role in driving growth and prosperity.

Furthermore, Al-Fakhri emphasized TDF's commitment to developing skills and competencies, providing professional development opportunities, and ensuring a qualified workforce to meet the demands of the growing tourism sector. The collaboration with IE University reflects the commitment to creating a supportive educational environment in crucial tourism regions.

IE University's President highlighted the importance of cooperation between higher education and tourism, emphasizing the need to develop specialized professionals in the field.

The agreement aims to achieve integration between education and tourism, working towards producing qualified individuals.

The MoU is part of the TDF's broader initiative, collaborating with top universities, training centers, and international expertise houses. The Graduate Development Program (Tourism Olou) is among the launched educational programs designed to develop Saudi talents, enhance competitiveness, and provide essential skills for the tourism sector.



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.