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Bahraini Investment Fund Worth $100 Mn in Technical, Emerging Companies

CEO of Bahrain's EDB. Khalid al-Rumaihi. Asharq Al-Awsat
CEO of Bahrain's EDB. Khalid al-Rumaihi. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Bahraini Investment Fund Worth $100 Mn in Technical, Emerging Companies

CEO of Bahrain's EDB. Khalid al-Rumaihi. Asharq Al-Awsat
CEO of Bahrain's EDB. Khalid al-Rumaihi. Asharq Al-Awsat

CEO of Bahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB) Khalid al-Rumaihi has unveiled a $100 million venture capital fund to invest in technical companies and in the field of emerging companies and entrepreneurship.

Rumaihi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the launching of the fund will take place before the end of 2017, and the participating investment funds with venture capitals will get the chance to find a corporate-led industry while the government will only regulate and legislate.

Meanwhile, the EDB announced the Kingdom will host the Technology Week from 24 – 28 September 2017, designed to showcase and dissect how disruptive technologies and digital trends are revolutionizing the global industry and regional economy.

The Technology Week is anchored by two major ICT and entrepreneurship events – the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Summit, 25 September, and the Innovation Forum, powered by MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab, 27, 28 September– alongside a range of other exhibitions, panel discussions and talks by global leaders.

As the cloud computing platform of Amazon.com, the AWS Summit will be the first of its kind in Bahrain, providing the international cloud computing community with a forum to connect and collaborate.

The summit will offer businesses the opportunity to learn about AWS technology– one of the leading models of cloud storage infrastructure currently in existence.

Sponsored by the EDB and Investcorp, the Innovation Forum expands on similar themes, bringing together global experts and high-profile business representatives to focus on cutting-edge technologies and scientific research.

In his comments on the event, Rumaihi said: “Home to the GCC’s leading ICT infrastructure, it is essential that Bahrain continues to foster the kind of innovative technologies and frameworks that have led to world-class companies choosing the Kingdom as their home for regional operations. It is events like Technology Week that allow us to ensure that Bahrain’s digital ecosystem remains world-class”.

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Business

Tourism Projects Worth $9 Billion Being Implemented in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province

The Saudi Minister of Tourism, along with the President of Aramco, tours the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in the Eastern Province. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi Minister of Tourism, along with the President of Aramco, tours the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in the Eastern Province. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Tourism Projects Worth $9 Billion Being Implemented in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province

The Saudi Minister of Tourism, along with the President of Aramco, tours the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in the Eastern Province. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi Minister of Tourism, along with the President of Aramco, tours the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in the Eastern Province. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Eastern Province is expected to witness the implementation of more than 650 tourism projects valued at over SAR12.7 billion (approximately $3.39 billion).

With the addition of investments in new projects exceeding SAR21 billion ($5.6 billion), total tourism investments amount to around SAR33.7 billion (nearly $9 billion), reflecting a growth in the sector.

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said tourism investments in the region are experiencing qualitative growth, adding that the Eastern Province enjoys competitive advantages that make it attractive for tourism investment.

The minister said the region has achieved positive results in sector performance, welcoming more than 13.4 million tourists whose spending exceeded SAR18.5 billion ($4.9 billion), underscoring the rising demand for tourism services.

Tourism Diversity

Al-Khateeb revealed that more than 650 approved tourism projects would contribute to improved tourism, in addition to strengthening partnerships and supporting private sector participation. This, he said, reflects the rapid growth pace and the achievements that the tourism sector in the Eastern Province has witnessed.

High-quality projects in the region enhance competitiveness, supported by the Tourism Development Fund, said Al-Khateeb. These projects contribute to improving quality of life and offering integrated visitor experiences, reinforcing the region’s position as a leading tourist destination on the Arabian Gulf coast, he added.

The minister met with Eastern Province’s tourism employees, who briefed him on promising opportunities and made proposals aimed at developing career paths for workers in the sector.

Al Khobar Season

Al Khobar Season 2025 has achieved remarkable success since its launch, featuring a seasonal program spanning nearly 90 days. Supported by the Sharqia Development Authority and the Saudi Tourism Authority, the season hosted events across more than 20 locations, attracting over one million visitors and involving more than 50 partners from the private sector.

Al Khobar Season enhances the Eastern Province’s status as a major tourism and entertainment destination through experiences that blend entertainment, culture, arts, and sports. This contributes to improving quality of life, achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, and developing the tourism sector.

Business

Saudi Exports Development Authority Organizes Trade Mission to Syria, Iraq 

Officials are seen during one of the visits to a Saudi company. (Saudi Exports Development Authority on X)
Officials are seen during one of the visits to a Saudi company. (Saudi Exports Development Authority on X)
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Saudi Exports Development Authority Organizes Trade Mission to Syria, Iraq 

Officials are seen during one of the visits to a Saudi company. (Saudi Exports Development Authority on X)
Officials are seen during one of the visits to a Saudi company. (Saudi Exports Development Authority on X)

The Saudi Exports Development Authority (SAUDI EXPORTS) organized a trade mission for Iraq and Syria in conjunction with the Made in Saudi Expo 2025 in Riyadh, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The missions involved 87 Saudi exporters and 32 importing companies, representing key sectors including construction, food products, medical supplies, and packaging industries.

A series of business-matching meetings were held to explore opportunities for cooperation and trade partnerships.

The meetings and bilateral discussions held alongside the exhibition resulted in the signing of seven trade agreements, reflecting the quality and competitiveness of Saudi products.

This was followed by an orientation tour for the visiting trade delegation of the Saudi companies’ pavilions to explore the latest national innovations and products.

Business

Modi Invites Jordanian Companies to Invest in India

Modi speaks at the India-Jordan Business Forum in Amman on Tuesday (X)
Modi speaks at the India-Jordan Business Forum in Amman on Tuesday (X)
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Modi Invites Jordanian Companies to Invest in India

Modi speaks at the India-Jordan Business Forum in Amman on Tuesday (X)
Modi speaks at the India-Jordan Business Forum in Amman on Tuesday (X)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invited Jordanian companies to invest in India, saying they can look forward to good returns on their investments as the country is growing at over 8%.

Speaking at the India-Jordan Business Forum meet here, Modi said India is soon going to become the third-largest economy in the world, and presents opportunities for Jordanian companies to become part of the growth story, according to news agency Press Trust of India.

The PM said his country’s high GDP numbers are due to productivity-driven governance and innovation-led growth policies.

Modi also said numbers are important in the universe of business, but he has come to Jordan to build a long-term relationship between the two nations.

“The relationship between India and Jordan is one where historical trust and future economic opportunities come together,” he noted.

India is growing at a fast pace, and new doors of opportunities are opening for Jordanian companies as well, the PM added.

“You (Jordan) can become a partner in India's high growth and earn good returns on your investments,” Modi said.

Indian companies in Jordan can manufacture medicines and medical devices. This will benefit the people of Jordan, and the country can also become a reliable hub for West Asia and Africa, he said.

While highlighting potential sectors of bilateral cooperation, Modi said India has a lot of experience in farming in dry climates.

“This experience of ours can make a real difference in Jordan. We can work on solutions like precision farming and micro-irrigation. We can also collaborate on building cold chains, food parks, and storage facilities,” he added.

Modi arrived in Jordan's capital, Amman, on Monday on a two-day visit at the invitation of King Abdullah II. Jordan is the first leg of the Prime Minister's four-day, three-nation tour, which will also take him to Ethiopia and Oman.