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Saudi Arabia to Finalize Integrated Strategy for Energy Sector

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr during the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr during the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia to Finalize Integrated Strategy for Energy Sector

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr during the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr during the signing ceremony in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Energy and NEOM signed on Sunday a memorandum of cooperation that constitutes the Saudi road map for the implementation of future energy goals as the Kingdom prepares to complete an integrated energy sector strategy by the end of 2020.

In a ceremony in Riyadh, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr signed the MoU that focuses particularly on renewable energy and includes increased cooperation in green hydrogen production, application of a circular carbon economy, enhanced local content, innovation and development, and the application of artificial intelligence in the energy sector.

The minister emphasized that the areas of cooperation embodied the Kingdom’s strategies and directions towards an increased reliance on renewable resources, such as solar and wind energy, to generate electricity, in addition to NEOM’s contribution to the production of hydrogen in order to achieve energy sustainability while preserving the environment and opening the way for exports.

“We have to persevere and make all our capacities available to realize this project,” he told a press conference at the ceremony.

He added that NEOM was part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to attract foreign investment and generate jobs to reduce the Kingdom’s dependence on oil.

Energy mix
According to the MoU, areas of cooperation between the Ministry of Energy and NEOM will include shaping the energy mix to produce electricity; supporting renewable energy projects; benefiting from the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center’s (SEEC) programs; promoting electrical grid projects and their infrastructure; and applying rules of the national program for local content in the energy sector.

“The Ministry of Energy will supervise the implementation of renewable energy projects within the NEOM project, which target the production of 15 gigawatts of electricity by 2030, in addition to carrying out all preparatory work, such as assessing and measuring renewable energy sources at the selected sites and evaluating the electric transmission network,” the minister explained.

He added that the Ministry of Energy would prepare all the necessary documents for launching renewable energy projects in NEOM, with the aim to attract leading local and international companies.

In this regard, Prince Abdulaziz noted that NEOM was characterized by an excellent geographical location and ideal climate conditions, which will facilitate the production of electricity from renewable energy and contribute to reducing the cost of hydrogen production.

The MoU will also cover cooperation in the programs of the SEEC, including exchange of experiences in the field of energy efficiency and rationalization of consumption, as well as the adoption of energy efficiency standards to be used in NEOM’s buildings and facilities.

Artificial intelligence
Prince Abdulaziz affirmed that the agreement also sought the development and activation of artificial intelligence technologies, in its various forms, in order to better serve the business of generating and supplying energy and contribute to the development of a smart electricity network, through which energy is generated from various sources and distributed at a lower cost and higher efficiency.

He added that cooperation between the two sides also aimed to support and strengthen power network projects, including the design, construction and operation works in the Amala project, the hydrogen production plan, the electrical interconnection between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in addition to studying the regulatory framework for electricity generation and cogeneration activities.

Local content
Addressing the press conference, Prince Abdulaziz talked about the National Program for Local Content in the Energy Sector, which he said sought to enhance and sustain local content in the energy business within NEOM.

According to the minister, the two sides will cooperate on the Hydrocarbon Demand Sustainability Program, focusing on raising the environmental and economic efficiency of these materials, in addition to promoting the use of blue and green hydrogen gas, which enhances the sustainability of oil demand.

Circular economy
The agreement also addressed the implementation of the circular carbon economy strategy, which, according to Prince Abdulaziz, relies on reducing emissions, reusing carbon, and using carbon as a feedstock for other products and finally decarbonizing. Relying on blue and green hydrogen represents one of the important initiatives under the circular carbon economy strategy.

Integrated energy strategy
In addition to being the largest oil exporter in the world, Saudi Arabia aspires to become one of the main countries in the production and export of renewable energy, according to the minister. This, of course, includes the production and export of hydrogen, he stated.

In this context, the NEOM’s new hydrogen project is a first step towards establishing an economically important activity within the Kingdom, which will contribute to enhancing growth, economic diversification and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

NEOM projects
For his part, NEOM CEO Al-Nasr emphasized the importance of the memorandum as it will reinforce and support NEOM’s plans to be the world leader in the full reliance on renewable energy. He stressed that the city would rely totally on renewable power, including solar, wind and hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources.

“Facing climate change requires more efforts and cooperation in the field of a circular carbon economy, to reduce emissions and make optimal use of carbon in the economic life cycle, including the great role of hydrogen in this context,” he said.

The Ministry of Energy’s cooperation activities with NEOM included coordination to study and support the strengthening of electrical grid projects and its infrastructure, as part of NEOM’s endeavor to build an advanced and modern electricity transmission network to link renewable energy sources in the company’s business area, cooperation in the field of smart grids and customer service.

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Business

Port Security and Trade Continuity: A New Formula for Saudi Competitiveness

A panel discussion featuring Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab (Conference)
A panel discussion featuring Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab (Conference)
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Port Security and Trade Continuity: A New Formula for Saudi Competitiveness

A panel discussion featuring Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab (Conference)
A panel discussion featuring Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab (Conference)

Port competitiveness is no longer just about handling more ships and containers. Keeping trade moving and infrastructure secure against physical and cyber threats has become just as critical, as ports grow more reliant on digital systems and supply chains become increasingly complex.

The economic fallout from port disruptions and their impact on global trade took center stage at a session titled "Securing Infrastructure" during the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress 2026, which opened Wednesday in Jeddah with maritime and infrastructure security experts in attendance.

Discussions focused on threats facing ports and shipping companies, particularly cyberattacks capable of crippling operations and disrupting trade, and the need to strengthen port readiness to keep services running and limit economic losses.

Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab, a professor of marine engineering at King Abdulaziz University's Faculty of Maritime Studies, said Saudi ports now face a challenge that goes beyond expanding capacity: withstanding disruptions while keeping trade flowing at the lowest possible cost.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the session, Abu Shanab said Saudi Arabia's ports on the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf gave the kingdom a strategic advantage as international trade routes shift. But making the most of that position requires greater investment in operational resilience, logistics connectivity and cybersecurity.

Investments top $3.7 billion

The challenges come as Saudi Arabia ramps up investment in port infrastructure. Its ports now have 34 logistics centers, including 17 at Jeddah Islamic Port, backed by investments exceeding 14 billion riyals ($3.7 billion), alongside projects to upgrade container terminals and boost handling capacity.

Abu Shanab said the investments include more than 2 billion riyals to develop a container terminal at Jubail Port and an initial 1.6 billion riyals for a fourth container terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port. Other projects involve upgrading cargo-handling equipment and expanding the use of modern operating systems.

He said future investment must focus on operational efficiency, reserve capacity and stronger links between ports, roads, railways and logistics hubs to absorb sudden surges in shipping volumes and redirect cargo when routes are disrupted.

Abu Shanab floated a preliminary proposal for an additional 10 billion to 20 billion riyals in investment over five years to strengthen strategic ports' readiness.

He stressed that the figure was a proposed planning scenario, not an official assessment of the sector's needs or an approved budget.

Cyberattacks threaten trade beyond ports

Abu Shanab warned that growing reliance on digital systems exposes ports to cyber threats whose economic impact could ripple through factories, markets and supply chains.

He pointed to the 2017 cyberattack on global shipping group Maersk, which the company estimated cost it between $200 million and $300 million after widespread disruption to its operations and systems.

A failure of digital systems managing containers, vessel schedules and cranes could leave cargo stranded, drive up delay and insurance costs, and undermine shipping companies' commitments and customer confidence, he said.

To illustrate the potential costs, Abu Shanab offered a hypothetical scenario: a delay affecting 5,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), each incurring an additional 1,000 riyals in costs, would generate a direct bill of 5 million riyals before indirect losses.

He stressed that the calculation did not reflect actual losses at Saudi ports but illustrated the potential cost of disruptions. Investing in prevention and business continuity, he argued, could be cheaper than shutting down a strategic port.

Competitiveness goes beyond handling fees

Abu Shanab said regional ports should be judged not simply by their handling charges but by the total cost of getting goods from ships to markets, including customs clearance, storage, inland transport and schedule reliability.

Saudi ports overseen by the Saudi Ports Authority handled about 8.3 million TEUs in 2025, up 10.58% from a year earlier, highlighting growing activity and the need to expand capabilities without compromising service efficiency.

Artificial intelligence could help schedule vessel arrivals and allocate berths, while upgraded handling equipment could cut waiting times and fuel, storage and transportation costs, making services more reliable for shipping lines, he said.

"The most competitive port is not necessarily the one with the lowest fees, but the one offering the lowest total logistics cost, the greatest reliability and the fastest access to markets," Abu Shanab said.

Simulating crises before they strike

Abu Shanab called for a national simulation model using digital twins and artificial intelligence to test how ports and supply chains would respond to facility shutdowns or shifting maritime routes, and measure the time and cost of restoring operations.

He also urged stronger protection for critical infrastructure, including submarine cables, energy and telecommunications facilities, alongside improved vessel monitoring systems, disaster recovery centers and backup operating plans to keep essential services running.

Saudi Arabia's ports on two coastlines, coupled with expanding logistics services and transport networks, offer a foundation for more reliable supply chains, he said. But realizing that potential depends on matching existing investments with operational and technological readiness.

Protecting maritime infrastructure, Abu Shanab concluded, is no longer a standalone security or technical concern. It is central to port competitiveness and Saudi Arabia's ability to keep trade flowing, attract shipping lines and secure long-term investment.

Business

Türkiye Cuts Key Interest Rate to 36%, First Cut in Months

Central Bank of Türkiye (Official Website)
Central Bank of Türkiye (Official Website)
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Türkiye Cuts Key Interest Rate to 36%, First Cut in Months

Central Bank of Türkiye (Official Website)
Central Bank of Türkiye (Official Website)

Türkiye's central bank cut its key interest rate on Thursday to 36 percent in the first cut in nine months, pointing to a recent slowdown in inflation.

At a policy meeting, the bank "decided to reduce the policy interest rate ... from 37 percent to 36 percent," it said in a statement.

It was the first cut since January when the bank cut the key rate from 38 to 37 percent, a rate which it held until Thursday's meeting.

"Despite monthly fluctuations, recent inflation figures and leading indicators confirm the downward trend," a bank statement said.

"Data on economic activity and the limited impact of supply shocks on domestic prices suggest that the weak trend in domestic demand continues," it added.

However, ongoing geopolitical tensions were keeping energy prices high, which could push inflation higher, it warned, saying the effects of such geopolitical developments "are being closely monitored".

Türkiye's annual inflation rate eased to 29.7 percent in September from 31.5 percent in August - the first time it had fallen below 30 percent in nearly five years, official figures showed.

At the time, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said it was at its lowest level since November 2021. "Disinflation is spreading across the board, excluding transportation," he wrote on X.

The official figures are disputed by the ENAG group of independent economists that publishes its own data, which said its figures showed year-on-year inflation stood at 46.6 percent in September.

 

 

 

 

Business

Saudi Stock Market Drops 2.3% to Lowest Close Since 2021

A person stands in front of a screen showing falling stock prices (Reuters)
A person stands in front of a screen showing falling stock prices (Reuters)
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Saudi Stock Market Drops 2.3% to Lowest Close Since 2021

A person stands in front of a screen showing falling stock prices (Reuters)
A person stands in front of a screen showing falling stock prices (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index ended Thursday's session down 2.3 percent, shedding 231 points to close at 9,696, its lowest closing level since 2021, with total trading turnover reaching approximately SAR 4.9 billion.

The Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) fluctuated between an intraday low of 9,640 points and a high of 9,888 points.

Thursday's decline brought the index's weekly losses to more than 400 points, or 4.1 percent, marking its eighth consecutive week of declines.

Most stocks fell during the session, led by Saudi National Bank, which dropped more than 5 percent to SAR 34.62, with approximately 9 million shares traded.

Saudi Aramco and Al Rajhi Bank each declined 1 percent, closing at SAR 25.40 and SAR 59.80, respectively, while Maaden fell 5 percent to SAR 55.90.

Shares of Retal, Al Yamamah Steel, East Pipes, Jahez, Gulf Training and Saudi Steel Pipe ended the session with losses ranging from 5 to 9 percent.

Meanwhile, Electrical Industries, Abo Moati, Umm Al-Qura Cement, Saleh Al-Rashed, Wafrah, Saudi Vitrified Clay Pipe and Watani Iron Steel each fell 10 percent.

On the upside, Al-Etihad rose 10 percent to SAR 6.16, followed by JAZADCO with gains exceeding 9 percent. Shares of Al Arabia, UCIC and Saudi Kayan advanced between 1 and 3 percent.