Aramco to Build Construction Facilities in Haradh, Hawiyah

 A view shows Saudi Aramco Wasit Gas Plant, Saudi Arabia December 8, 2014. Saudi Aramco/Handout via REUTERS
A view shows Saudi Aramco Wasit Gas Plant, Saudi Arabia December 8, 2014. Saudi Aramco/Handout via REUTERS
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Aramco to Build Construction Facilities in Haradh, Hawiyah

 A view shows Saudi Aramco Wasit Gas Plant, Saudi Arabia December 8, 2014. Saudi Aramco/Handout via REUTERS
A view shows Saudi Aramco Wasit Gas Plant, Saudi Arabia December 8, 2014. Saudi Aramco/Handout via REUTERS

Saudi Aramco has awarded a contract to build three temporary construction facilities (TCFs) to Azmeel Contracting Company as part of the company’s Gas Compression Program in Haradh and Hawiyah.

Fahad al-Helal, Saudi Aramco vice president for Project Management, signed the contract on behalf of the company. The contract involves construction of full functional support building and facilities together with associated infrastructure and communication connectivity in the Haradh and Hawiyah operational areas.

“We constantly work towards achieving Saudi Aramco’s goals and objectives in natural gas production to diversify the Kingdom’s energy mix and to make cleaner energy resources available,” Helal said.

He added, “The TCF project will leverage on the Haradh Increment Program, which is considered a catalyst for growth through increasing total gas production by more than one billion standard cubic feet per day. We are glad that a local company is involved in the execution of this major project, in tandem with Saudi Aramco’s In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) initiative.”

Recently, Aramco signed a number of agreements with several oil and gas service contractors for oil and gas megaprojects designed to enhance the company’s energy sustainability, diversify the economy, expand gas production, and localize domestic content. The agreements are valued at nearly $4.5 billion in total.

Aramco seeks to increase gas production from 16 billion cubic feet to 20 billion cubic feet by 2021, in which the company will add in 2019 around 2.5 cubic feet and in 2021 around 1.3 billion cubic feet of gas on a daily basis.

On Nov. 9, Aramco signed five deals on development of gas factories in Haradh and Hawiyah.

On Nov. 30, it signed three contracts to develop locations in Haradh and Hawiyah to increase gas production to one billion cubic feet, daily.



Trump: 8 EU Countries will be Charged 10% Tariff for Opposing US Control of Greenland

A military vessel HDMS Knud Rasmussen of the Royal Danish Navy docked in Nuuk, Greenland, on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
A military vessel HDMS Knud Rasmussen of the Royal Danish Navy docked in Nuuk, Greenland, on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
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Trump: 8 EU Countries will be Charged 10% Tariff for Opposing US Control of Greenland

A military vessel HDMS Knud Rasmussen of the Royal Danish Navy docked in Nuuk, Greenland, on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
A military vessel HDMS Knud Rasmussen of the Royal Danish Navy docked in Nuuk, Greenland, on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations because of opposition to US control of Greenland.

He said in a social media post that Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland would face the tariff, which would be raised to 25% on June 1 if a deal is not in place for “the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” by the United States.

Earlier Saturday, hundreds of people in Greenland's capital braved near-freezing temperatures, rain and icy streets to march in a rally in support of their own self-governance in the face of threats of an American takeover.

The Greenlanders waved their red-and-white national flags and listened to traditional songs as they walked through Nuuk's small downtown. Some carried signs with messages like “We shape our future,” “Greenland is not for sale” and “Greenland is already GREAT.” They were joined by thousands of others in rallies across the Danish kingdom.

Meanwhile, Danish Maj. Gen. Søren Andersen, leader of the Joint Arctic Command, told The Associated Press that Denmark doesn't expect the US military to attack Greenland, or any other NATO ally, and that European troops were recently deployed to Nuuk for Arctic defense training.

“I will not go into the political part, but I will say that I would never expect a NATO country to attack another NATO country,” he told the AP on Saturday aboard a Danish military vessel docked in Nuuk. “For us, for me, it’s not about signaling. It is actually about training military units, working together with allies.”

Trump has insisted for months that the US should control Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark, and said earlier this week that anything less than the Arctic island being in US hands would be “unacceptable.”

During an unrelated event at the White House about rural health care, he recounted Friday how he had threatened European allies with tariffs on pharmaceuticals.

“I may do that for Greenland, too,” Trump said, before his announcement Saturday about his targeted tariffs. “I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security. So I may do that."

He had not previously mentioned using tariffs to try to force the issue.


High-Ranking Saudi Delegation to Attend World Economic Forum Meeting in Davos

FILED - 23 January 2020, Switzerland, Davos: The World Economic Forum logo is displayed on a board during a plenary session. Photo: Ciaran McCrickard/World Economic Forum/dpa
FILED - 23 January 2020, Switzerland, Davos: The World Economic Forum logo is displayed on a board during a plenary session. Photo: Ciaran McCrickard/World Economic Forum/dpa
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High-Ranking Saudi Delegation to Attend World Economic Forum Meeting in Davos

FILED - 23 January 2020, Switzerland, Davos: The World Economic Forum logo is displayed on a board during a plenary session. Photo: Ciaran McCrickard/World Economic Forum/dpa
FILED - 23 January 2020, Switzerland, Davos: The World Economic Forum logo is displayed on a board during a plenary session. Photo: Ciaran McCrickard/World Economic Forum/dpa

A high-ranking Saudi delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah will participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19 to 23.

Alongside Prince Saisal, the delegation includes Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, and Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim.

Prince Faisal affirmed that the Kingdom’s participation in the World Economic Forum 2026, themed "A Spirit of Dialogue," demonstrates its commitment to international cooperation in addressing economic challenges.

He stressed the importance of maintaining regional peace, supporting sustainable development, and enhancing global economic partnerships.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Prince Faisal also highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration to achieve prosperity and security.

He noted that the Kingdom is broadening cooperation with international partners to better confront economic and environmental challenges while focusing on building institutional and human capacities to adapt to rapid transformations.

Prince Faisal stated that the Kingdom views the Davos 2026 forum as a vital opportunity to strengthen cooperation in building institutional and human capacities, essential pillars for adapting to rapid global economic shifts.

Saudi Arabia is focused on developing innovative solutions in technology and scientific research, he said.

As for Aljadaan, he affirmed that Saudi Arabia's participation in the 56th World Economic Forum stems from its commitment to strengthening international cooperation and addressing global economic challenges.

In a statement to SPA, Aljadaan pointed to the Kingdom's growing influence in shaping global economic trends, driven by its robust economy and regional and international standing.

He emphasized that the Kingdom will use this platform, which brings together government, business, and academic leaders, to explore ways to promote global stability and growth.

The minister stated that this year's forum focuses on five key global challenges: building trust and cooperation, identifying new drivers for sustainable growth, investing in human capital, ensuring the responsible use of technology and innovation, and integrating environmental sustainability into economic models. Discussions will also cover the impacts of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and cybersecurity on global industries.

Alibrahim said the Kingdom's participation reinforces Saudi Arabia's position as an active partner in advancing comprehensive development and innovative solutions to global challenges, ensuring sustainable growth and prosperity at the local, regional, and international levels.

He told SPA that the forum will spotlight key themes aimed at institutionalizing international cooperation through participatory economic models that sustain transformative growth. He highlighted the Kingdom's success in creating new growth engines and building a robust, productive base driven by investment in strategic sectors and activities with high-quality economic returns.

Alibrahim noted that over the past five years, 74 out of 81 non-oil economic activities recorded annual growth exceeding 5%, with 38 achieving growth of more than 10%, reflecting a genuine expansion of the Kingdom's productive base.

The minister emphasized that the Kingdom's participation goes beyond mere representation, involving active contribution to advancing cooperation and strengthening the resilience of the global economy, particularly by balancing development expansion with responsible innovation policies.

Al-Khateeb also affirmed that Saudi Arabia's participation in the 2026 World Economic Forum aligns with its leadership in strengthening international cooperation and building partnerships that translate dialogue into tangible results.

Al-Khateeb told SPA that this participation extends the Kingdom's approach to opening joint investment opportunities in vital sectors, particularly tourism. He noted that Saudi Arabia has become a new global tourism powerhouse and a rapidly developing model for creating competitive destinations, reflecting its growing prominence on the international map.

Participation in Davos will highlight the importance of developing tourism experiences and service quality to ensure sustainable growth that balances high demand with added value, while preserving cultural identity and natural resources, the minister added.

As for Alswaha, he said the Kingdom’s participation is supported and enabled by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and embodies the Kingdom's leadership in fostering shared solutions and strengthening global dialogue on technological innovation and sustainable growth, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

In a statement to SPA, the minister explained that the Kingdom's participation aims to convey its national experience in transitioning to the smart era and showcase its notable achievements in building a competitive, technology- and AI-driven economy. It also seeks to broaden international cooperation and open new pathways for partnerships and investments with leading global technology companies and private-sector leaders.


Fitch Affirms Saudi Arabia’s Credit Rating at ‘A+’ with Stable Outlook

FILE PHOTO: The Fitch Ratings logo is seen at their offices at Canary Wharf financial district in London,Britain, March 3, 2016. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The Fitch Ratings logo is seen at their offices at Canary Wharf financial district in London,Britain, March 3, 2016. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause/File Photo
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Fitch Affirms Saudi Arabia’s Credit Rating at ‘A+’ with Stable Outlook

FILE PHOTO: The Fitch Ratings logo is seen at their offices at Canary Wharf financial district in London,Britain, March 3, 2016. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The Fitch Ratings logo is seen at their offices at Canary Wharf financial district in London,Britain, March 3, 2016. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause/File Photo

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Saudi Arabia’s sovereign credit rating at A+ with a stable outlook, according to a report issued by the agency on Friday.

The agency said the Kingdom’s credit profile reflects the strength of its fiscal position, noting that its government debt-to-GDP ratio and net sovereign foreign assets are significantly stronger than the medians for both the “A” and “AA” rating categories.

Fitch also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s substantial financial buffers, including deposits and other public sector assets.

The ratings agency projected real GDP growth of 4.8% in 2026 and expects the fiscal deficit to narrow to 3.6% of GDP by the end of 2027.

Fitch also said non-oil revenues are expected to continue benefiting from strong economic activity and improved revenue efficiency.

The agency praised the momentum of economic reforms, including the updated investment system and the continued opening of the real estate and equity markets to foreign investors.