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Space Tourism Boosts Investments in Innovative Sectors, Advanced Technology in Saudi Arabia

HALO Space is set to launch its sixth space tourism test flight from Saudi Arabia in September. (HALO Space)
HALO Space is set to launch its sixth space tourism test flight from Saudi Arabia in September. (HALO Space)
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Space Tourism Boosts Investments in Innovative Sectors, Advanced Technology in Saudi Arabia

HALO Space is set to launch its sixth space tourism test flight from Saudi Arabia in September. (HALO Space)
HALO Space is set to launch its sixth space tourism test flight from Saudi Arabia in September. (HALO Space)

HALO Space, a Spanish startup in space tourism, is set to launch its sixth space tourism test flight from Saudi Arabia in September.

The announcement underscores the efforts the Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) have been making to demonstrate the Kingdom’s pioneering role in space tourism.

CEO of Halo Space Carlos Mira told Asharq Al-Awsat that the company is committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by accelerating efforts to support space tourism through its strategic partnerships with Saudi agencies.

He noted that the company has also set up an operational base in the Kingdom where it offers direct and close support to the transformation of all economic sectors.

Mira predicted a 700 percent rise in global space tourism trips in the first five years, reflecting HALO Space’s commitment to making space within everyone’s reach. It will also propel Saudi Arabia towards playing a more pioneering role in space exploration and pushing forward its innovation and economic diversification.

He underlined the close cooperation between the public and private sectors in adopting safety standards and protection measures, which are the foundations of the success of the mission.

The cooperation between the CST and GACA embodies HALO Space’s commitment to providing a safe flight in the near future, he added.

Managing Partner at Arthur D. Little Middle East and India and HALO Space board member Thomas Kuruvilla underscored the space tourism partnership with Saudi Arabia.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that HALO Space’s innovation is part of the Arthur D. Little company and in cooperation with relevant government agencies and aims to bolster Saudi Arabia’s pioneering role in space tourism.

Saudi Arabia’s readiness to become a launch base for HALO Space in the Middle East will lead to more investments in innovative sectors and advanced technologies, he went on to say.

This includes space exploration and tourism, he explained.

Saudi Arabia is set to go down in history for becoming one of the first countries in the world to launch a space tourism flight, he stressed.

The flight in September is a very significant step and it is also in line with Vision 2030, he stated.

This upcoming test flight will feature HALO Space's real-size prototype capsule, Aurora, which will ascend to 30 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The primary objective of this mission is to rigorously validate the integrated operation of all critical systems developed over the past three years, said the company in a statement.

Alberto Castrillo, Chief Technology Officer of HALO Space, stated: "This mission is designed to meticulously validate all our critical systems we’ve been developing for the past three years. The dates and location were set to ensure the reliable operation of our equipment and safe conditions for the teams that will be on the ground operating the flight."

CST has been working with and supporting HALO Space since the beginning of the year, overseeing preparations for the test flight, which is set against the backdrop of Saudi Vision 2030.

HALO Space's decision to establish its flagship operational base and final assembly site in Saudi Arabia underscores the Kingdom's ideal conditions for space exploration activities and support for innovative business models.

As this visionary plan aims to transform the Kingdom into a global hub for technological innovation and economic diversification, CST has also been collaborating with other government entities such as GACA, to meet all regulatory requirements for the test flight, emphasizing the commitment to the safety of both personnel and materials involved in this ground-breaking test.

Frank Salzgeber, Acting Deputy Governor for Space Sector at CST, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating: "Along with its regulatory mandate, CST is also undertaking an enabling role within the civil space sector, through fostering innovative business models, promoting space exploration activities, and supporting joint efforts with relevant authorities to develop space sector.”

“This innovative project represents a significant step forward in space tourism, and in support of such technological advancements and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, CST is always committed to providing regulatory frameworks that foster innovation among companies and projects like HALO Space while ensuring the safety of personnel and materials,” he added.

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Business

Iraq to Export More Kirkuk Crude Oil Next Month

Oil flows through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline resumed in late September (Reuters)
Oil flows through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline resumed in late September (Reuters)
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Iraq to Export More Kirkuk Crude Oil Next Month

Oil flows through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline resumed in late September (Reuters)
Oil flows through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline resumed in late September (Reuters)

Iraq will export a ​total of 223,000 barrels per day (bpd) in February, up by 21% on the month, ‌loading programs ‌seen ‌by ⁠Reuters ​show.

January ‌exports were scheduled at 184,000 bpd. Of the February cargoes, eight will be ⁠exported from ‌Türkiye's Ceyhan terminal, and ‍three ‍will be ‍delivered via the Kirikkale pipeline to Turkish refiner Tupras.

Kirkuk ​oil pipeline flows to Ceyhan restarted ⁠in late September after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, with the first exports taking place last October.

Business

From Davos: The World Looks to Saudi Vision, from Reform to Delivery

The logo of the World Economic Forum at the Davos Conference Center (AFP)
The logo of the World Economic Forum at the Davos Conference Center (AFP)
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From Davos: The World Looks to Saudi Vision, from Reform to Delivery

The logo of the World Economic Forum at the Davos Conference Center (AFP)
The logo of the World Economic Forum at the Davos Conference Center (AFP)

At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Saudi Arabia offered a compelling account of how long-term ambition can be translated into measurable results.

Through a narrative grounded in data and outcomes, Saudi ministers traced the evolution of Vision 2030 from structural reform to disciplined execution, presenting the Kingdom as one of the world’s most attractive investment destinations.

Rising capital-formation rates now place Saudi Arabia alongside major economies such as China and India, underscoring growing international confidence in the strength and future of its economy.

On the margins of the forum, a high-level dialogue at the Saudi House pavilion brought together Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Saudi ambassador to the United States; Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih; Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan; Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim; IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva; and Lubna Olayan, Chair of Olayan Financing.

Titled From Reform to Delivery: Implementing Change at Scale, the session examined the next phase of Vision 2030 and how it has enhanced the government’s capacity for evidence-based planning and execution.

Saudi Arabia’s presence at the 2026 forum runs from Jan. 19-23 through an expanded Saudi House program - the largest since its launch - bringing together ministers, senior officials, business leaders and global thinkers.

From vision to policy discipline

Al-Jadaan emphasized that visions and reform agendas cannot be taken for granted. The true test, he said, lies not in designing strategies but in sustaining their execution, an area where many reform efforts around the world lose momentum. Saudi Arabia’s fiscal framework, supported by record foreign reserves at the central bank, has provided the flexibility needed to absorb shocks and maintain reform momentum.

He noted that 93 percent of Vision 2030’s key performance indicators have either been achieved or are progressing as planned. He added that reform has moved beyond individual initiatives to become a permanent institutional practice, supported by a 22 percent rise in financial reserves between 2022 and 2025.

He also stressed that trust and credibility are central to this process. Sustained progress depends on maintaining confidence with markets and stakeholders through pragmatic fiscal discipline and clear prioritization of resources. With fiscal space always finite, sequencing and focus are essential. He pointed to IMF Article IV consultations as a rigorous external validation of Saudi Arabia’s economic direction, noting that ambitions set a decade ago are now reflected in tangible outcomes, with hundreds of indicators either exceeding targets or firmly on track.

Converting strategy into outcomes

Building on this theme, Alibrahim said that turning strategies into results requires clarity of purpose, institutional adaptability and the ability to adjust course quickly. He explained that sustainable transformation cannot be achieved without a conscious approach to managing risk.

According to Alibrahim, Vision 2030’s long-term perspective has strengthened the government’s ability to plan, execute and respond to data, allowing it to change direction when needed while balancing risks and opportunities over both short and long horizons.

Attracting global capital

Al-Falih placed Saudi Arabia’s experience within a broader global context marked by geopolitical uncertainty, strained supply chains and rapid technological change. He noted that capital cannot avoid risk entirely but must find ways to balance it with the need for growth, particularly at a time when the world requires vast investment to navigate major transitions. These include energy digitization and the restructuring of global artificial intelligence supply chains.

He further explained that investors are increasingly drawn to markets that combine scale with access to global opportunities. This, in turn, requires skilled human capital, reliable energy, credible decarbonization pathways, advanced physical and digital infrastructure, and transparent, predictable regulatory systems. He said that few countries offer all these elements together, adding that Saudi Arabia has succeeded in doing so.

Al-Falih continued that foreign direct investment has risen to five times its pre–Vision 2030 level, while domestic investors have also increased their commitments. Capital formation as a share of GDP now matches levels seen in China and India, with visible effects across global supply chains, from shipbuilding on the eastern coast to automotive manufacturing on the western coast, as well as green and blue hydrogen projects developed with international partners.

Energy, markets and new frontiers

Al-Falih noted that the availability of Saudi capital, combined with a partnership-driven approach, has been a decisive factor. The government co-invests alongside the Public Investment Fund, major national companies and the private sector, aligning capital with strategic priorities.

While petrochemicals, fertilizers and mining remain important, the scope of transformation has broadened significantly. Saudi capital markets have become more integrated, the exchange-traded fund ecosystem has expanded, and inclusion in major global indices has lowered barriers for international investors.

At the same time, he said that the Kingdom is moving beyond its traditional role as an oil and gas supplier. It is investing in hydrogen, accelerating renewable energy localization and developing cross-border electricity interconnections with Africa, the Gulf, Iraq and Egypt. Investments in critical minerals and global supply chains now extend to joint ventures in the United States and Asia, supporting demand in a low-carbon economy. Saudi Arabia, Al-Falih concluded, also aims to position itself as a hub for the new economy, including data and artificial intelligence.

Georgieva: A transformation that inspires

Georgieva described Saudi Arabia’s reform journey as a “generational transformation” that spans sectors and places the Kingdom in a position of global leadership. Reforms that reduced the state’s direct role while enabling the private sector to flourish, she said, now underpin the country’s economic resilience.

She highlighted the breadth of diversification — from finance and tourism to sports and fashion — as particularly striking, adding that Saudi Arabia has also emerged as a partner and sponsor of reform beyond its borders, with the IMF office in Riyadh helping to share the Saudi experience with other countries. Concluding her remarks, she urged Saudi leaders and officials to maintain momentum and continue supporting others on similar paths.

Princess Reema, for her part, emphasized that human capital remains the engine of long-term growth. She said that investment in youth, job creation and a supportive social environment, encouraged many young Saudis to build their futures at home.

Lubna Olayan observed that the business landscape has undergone a notable shift. Where large corporations once dominated, small and medium-sized enterprises are now playing a growing role, supported by banks and new financing channels. She noted that economic diversification has opened private-sector opportunities, particularly in tourism, a labor-intensive service industry.

Powell: A model with global relevance

In a separate Saudi House session, Dina Powell McCormick, Vice Chair of Meta’s board, said her 25-year relationship with Saudi Arabia has given her a firsthand view of “extraordinary progress” under Vision 2030.

Recalling discussions in Washington in 2017 during her tenure as US deputy national security advisor under President Donald Trump, she described a long-term roadmap centered on unlocking the potential of a population that is more than 65 percent under the age of 35 and on the expanding role of women as entrepreneurs and leaders.

On technology, Powell said the world is approaching a pivotal moment that could reshape humanity within just three to eight years, making Saudi Arabia’s execution-focused transformation a model of growing relevance well beyond the region.

Business

Nasser from Davos: AI Has Generated $6 Billion for Aramco

The CEO of Saudi Aramco, Engineer Amin Nasser (World Economic Forum)
The CEO of Saudi Aramco, Engineer Amin Nasser (World Economic Forum)
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Nasser from Davos: AI Has Generated $6 Billion for Aramco

The CEO of Saudi Aramco, Engineer Amin Nasser (World Economic Forum)
The CEO of Saudi Aramco, Engineer Amin Nasser (World Economic Forum)

The CEO of Saudi Aramco, Engineer Amin Nasser, on Tuesday revealed fundamental transformations in the company's financial and operational performance thanks to the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.

He announced that the value achieved from the technology jumped to reach $6 billion during 2023 and 2024. It did not exceed $300 million in previous years.

Nasser explained, during a dialogue session at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum 2026, in the Swiss city of Davos, that artificial intelligence alone was responsible for 50 percent of this value.

He pointed out that the company is looking forward to publishing the figures for 2025 next month, amid expectations of achieving savings and added value ranging between 3 and 5 billion additional dollars.

In his review of the direct impact on operations, Nasser confirmed that the use of artificial intelligence in the exploration and production sector has achieved amazing results.

Nasser directed a message to the global industry, saying: "The matter is not just about buying chips and graphics processing units, but about the quality of the data and creating talent". He noted that Aramco now has 6,000 talents trained in artificial intelligence.

He also revealed the enormous construction size of the company, saying; "Today we have projects worth $100 billion under construction". He explained that integrating artificial intelligence into these giant projects creates added value.

Nasser confirmed that the ambition is directed towards "autonomous operations" in cooperation with major cloud providers, while strictly maintaining safety and control standards.