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Red Sea Int’l Airport in Saudi Launches 8 Weekly Flights

Group CEO of Red Sea Global John Pagano. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Group CEO of Red Sea Global John Pagano. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Red Sea Int’l Airport in Saudi Launches 8 Weekly Flights

Group CEO of Red Sea Global John Pagano. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Group CEO of Red Sea Global John Pagano. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Red Sea International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s western region, which opened last year, is now buzzing with eight weekly flights connecting Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dubai.

The airport is a key part of Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, “Vision 2030,” led by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

It is meant to serve projects in the region developed by Red Sea Global (RSG).

RSG is one of the world’s most visionary developers, wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia.

The company is spearheading a new model of development, putting people and planet first and leveraging the most innovative concepts and technologies to deliver projects that actively enhance the well-being of customers, communities and environments.

Its portfolio includes two world-leading destinations announced by Crown Prince Mohammad, The Red Sea and Amaala.

Collectively, these responsible and regenerative tourism destinations will aim to enhance Saudi Arabia’s luxury tourism and sustainability offering, going above and beyond to not only protect the natural environment, but to enhance it for future generations to come.

A cornerstone of Vision 2030, RSG will help transform the nation, creating significant economic opportunities for the people of Saudi Arabia and actively enhancing the Kingdom’s rich environmental and cultural heritage.

By 2030, the airport is expected to serve a million passengers annually, with a peak capacity of 900 passengers per hour for both domestic and international flights.

Domestic flights started in September 2023, followed by international flights from Dubai International Airport on April 18, 2024.

John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG, disclosed to Asharq Al-Awsat at the sidelines of the “GREAT FUTURES” conference in Riyadh that the company has already opened three tourist resorts.

He revealed plans for two more resorts to open later this year.

Pagano explained that RSG has made significant investments and struck diverse deals.

According to the group CEO, around 17 billion riyals ($4.5 billion) in funding and partnerships for infrastructure projects worth 20 billion riyals ($5.3 billion) have been secured.

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Business

Third ‘Mirkaz AlBalad AlAmeen Platform’ to Open in Makkah on Sunday 

A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
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Third ‘Mirkaz AlBalad AlAmeen Platform’ to Open in Makkah on Sunday 

A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)

The third edition of the “Mirkaz ABalad AlAmeen”, a leading platform for exchanging opportunities in Makkah, will kick off on Sunday, under the theme “Makkah Inspires the World.”

The platform, organized by the Holy Makkah Municipality, will feature 15 exceptional Ramadan evenings focused on dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cross-sector engagement.

Makkah Mayor Musad Aldaood said the platform redefines development from Makkah, where faith meets inspiration and values are transformed into a comprehensive civilizational experience.

He noted that the initiative reflects the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and showcases Makkah to the world as a living model of creativity, leadership, and innovation.

The upcoming edition will host more than 65 speakers, including executive leaders and decision-makers from across all three sectors, alongside futurists, entrepreneurs, and leading voices in culture and inspiration from artists, writers, media professionals, and innovators.

The program targets 12 key sectors: technology and digital transformation, financial investment, communications and media, real estate development, transport and logistics, banking services, youth and sports, tourism and culture, hospitality and catering, Hajj and Umrah, the third sector, and healthcare.

Business

Saudi Arabia’s Mawani Grants Unified License to Global Shipping Line 

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
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Saudi Arabia’s Mawani Grants Unified License to Global Shipping Line 

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) granted on Thursday a unified license to international shipping line Global Shipping Line (PIL), officially recognizing it as an authorized foreign investor to operate maritime agencies in the Kingdom's ports, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The license is issued in accordance with the regulations outlined in the Maritime Agency Services, reflecting Mawani's commitment to boosting the efficiency of the maritime sector and improving the quality of operational services provided at ports.

It aims to attract global expertise and facilitate knowledge transfer within the Kingdom, aligning with international best practices in the maritime transport industry.

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector.

PIL, which operates from its regional headquarters in Riyadh, manages operations in 29 countries.

The move strengthens the Kingdom's position as a crucial logistics hub, in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, while attracting more international shipping lines. It reinforces Saudi Arabia's role as a key link among three continents.

Business

IMF: Restoring Lebanon's Economic Growth Will Require Comprehensive Reforms

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
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IMF: Restoring Lebanon's Economic Growth Will Require Comprehensive Reforms

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo

Lebanon's economy has shown resilience despite conflicts in the region, with tourism fueling a bit of a rebound, but restoring growth will require comprehensive reforms, the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday.

IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack said the global lender remains engaged in complex discussions with Lebanese ‌authorities following their ‌request for an IMF-supported ‌program ⁠in March 2025. The ⁠IMF sent a staff mission to Beirut earlier this month, said Reuters.

The talks have been focused on two big issues, she said, citing the need for banking sector restructuring and a medium-term fiscal ⁠strategy. "The economy has shown resilience ‌despite the impact ‌of conflicts in the region. It has had ‌a bit of a rebound ‌on the back of tourism from the strong diaspora," Kozack said.

"But at the same time, really restoring strong and sustainable growth will ‌require a comprehensive set of reforms to tackle some of the ⁠structural ⁠weaknesses that have really hampered Lebanon's economic performance for many years," she said. Reforms also are needed to attract international support to help Lebanon address its substantial reconstruction needs.

Kozack said Lebanon needs an updated medium-term fiscal framework that includes concrete measures to mobilize additional revenues for much-needed capital spending, as well as a sovereign debt restructuring to restore debt sustainability.