Saudi-Indonesian Business Forum Discusses Boosting Joint Business Opportunities

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih with Indonesian officials during the Saudi-Indonesian Business Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih with Indonesian officials during the Saudi-Indonesian Business Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi-Indonesian Business Forum Discusses Boosting Joint Business Opportunities

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih with Indonesian officials during the Saudi-Indonesian Business Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih with Indonesian officials during the Saudi-Indonesian Business Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih asserted that Saudi Arabia continues to support and diversify its national economy within the framework of Vision 2030.

Speaking at the Saudi-Indonesian Business Forum, Falih said that improving the business environment and legislation, liberalizing the market and increasing the foreign investments had created many opportunities and improved foreign direct investment (FDI) by 12 percent.

The forum was organized by the Saudi Union of Chambers and attended by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investments Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, and the Chairman of the Saudi Chambers' Council Ajlan bin Abdulaziz al-Ajlan.

The Saudi minister said it is important to exploit the capabilities of both countries through joint projects, stressing the need to enhance the role of the business sector.

Falih called on the business sectors to translate this partnership into joint business and investments.

The two countries, as influential economic forces of the G20, faced the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and were able to enhance recovery through various measures and initiatives, stated the minister.

He called for boosting export exchange, in light of the great opportunities provided by the Saudi and Indonesian economies, the promising programs and strong infrastructure.

For his part, Pandjaitan discussed his country's economic, investment and natural potential, saying there were huge investment opportunities in the digital economy, including online shopping and banking.

He explained that his country has made great efforts to recover from the repercussions of the pandemic by supporting the economy and providing financial incentives to support the GDP.

The Minister called on Saudi investors to seize the promising opportunities in Indonesia, especially in transformative industries, hydroelectricity and the digital economy sectors.

Ajlan called for strengthening and activating the efforts of the joint Saudi-Indonesian Business Council.

He said the volume of bilateral trade exchange amounted to $5.4 billion dollars, including non-oil commodities, noting that he looks forward to completing the trade talks with Indonesian counterparts and their participation in the programs and projects of Vision 2030.

During the forum, the Ministry of Investment highlighted its role in serving investors, along with the efforts to boost the investment environment in Saudi Arabia and increase domestic and foreign investments.

It also addressed Vision 2030 and its objectives to boost the contributions of various sectors, such as the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the private sector, oil and gas, and foreign direct investment.

The presentation also mentioned the incentives to choose Saudi Arabia as an investment destination, such as the innovative reforms brought about by Vision 2030, the encouraging business environment, the strategic location and innovative real estate solutions.



Dar Global and Trump Organization Launch $1 Billion Project in Jeddah

The project, called Trump Plaza Jeddah, will include executive and premium residences, home offices, retail outlets and curated dining offerings. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
The project, called Trump Plaza Jeddah, will include executive and premium residences, home offices, retail outlets and curated dining offerings. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Dar Global and Trump Organization Launch $1 Billion Project in Jeddah

The project, called Trump Plaza Jeddah, will include executive and premium residences, home offices, retail outlets and curated dining offerings. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
The project, called Trump Plaza Jeddah, will include executive and premium residences, home offices, retail outlets and curated dining offerings. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

Dar Global and the Trump Organization announced on Monday the official launch of Trump Plaza Jeddah, valued at over $1 billion.

Dar Global, a London-listed luxury real estate developer, said the project marks its third collaboration with the Trump Organization in the Kingdom.

This landmark project, strategically located within the expansive Amaya development along King Abdulaziz Road, is poised to redefine luxury urban living in Jeddah's thriving real estate landscape, following the launch of Trump Tower Jeddah in December 2024.

Dar Global described the project as one of the most integrated urban destinations in Jeddah, saying it includes home offices, retail spaces, dining venues and a private club.

Residential offerings include fully furnished 1, 2, and 3-bedroom Trump Executive Residences; premium 2, 3, and 4-bedroom Trump Park Residences; and exclusive 4-bedroom Trump Townhouses.

Together with thoughtfully designed home offices, premium retail, and curated dining, the project redefines modern living by blending convenience and luxury into a single, connected destination.

Optional rental management services further enhance the appeal for international owners seeking a turnkey ownership experience.

“Expanding our presence in Saudi Arabia with Trump Plaza Jeddah underscores our commitment to world-class quality and iconic design,” said Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization. “This project reflects the strength of our relationship with Dar Global and our confidence in Jeddah as a dynamic, globally relevant city.”

Trump affirmed that Trump Plaza Jeddah will set a new benchmark for integrated urban destinations.

For his part, Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global, said the launch of Trump Plaza Jeddah represents a major milestone in the company’s Saudi portfolio.

“This is not a single-use development, but a carefully curated urban ecosystem designed for global residents who want to live, work, and connect within the best address in Jeddah,” he said.

“Anchored by a private park and supported by world-class amenities, Trump Plaza Jeddah introduces a new model for modern city living in the Kingdom,” El Chaar noted.

The project also features an exclusive 4,000-square-meter Vitality Club, with golf simulators, a spa, sports medicine and recovery facilities, swimming pools, dining, and high-performance wellness spaces.

Destination retail and dining, including Trump Grill, Trump Daily, an artisan bakery, and a fitness pro shop, reinforce its positioning as a district day and night.

 

 


Oil Extends Climb on Iran Supply Disruption Concerns

FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran is seen behind a 3D printed oil pipeline in this illustration taken June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran is seen behind a 3D printed oil pipeline in this illustration taken June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Oil Extends Climb on Iran Supply Disruption Concerns

FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran is seen behind a 3D printed oil pipeline in this illustration taken June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran is seen behind a 3D printed oil pipeline in this illustration taken June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Oil prices extended gains on Tuesday as heightened concerns surrounding Iran and potential supply disruptions outweighed the prospect of increased crude supply from Venezuela.

Brent futures rose 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $64.09 a barrel by 0430 GMT, hovering near a two-month high struck in the previous session. US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 23 cents, or 0.4%, to $59.73.

"The price increase comes amid intensifying protests in Iran, raising the possibility of some form of intervention ‌by the US," ING ‌commodities strategists said on Tuesday.

Iran, one of ‌the ⁠biggest producers ‌of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, is facing its biggest anti-government demonstrations in years, drawing a warning from US President Donald Trump of possible military action over lethal violence against protesters.

Trump is expected to meet senior advisers on Tuesday to discuss options on Iran, a US official told Reuters.

The US president said on Monday that any country that does business with Iran will be subjected ⁠to a tariff rate of 25% on any business conducted with the United States. Iran exports ‌much of its oil to China.

"With the US ‍and China having reached a trade ‍truce, we question whether the US would want to rock the boat ‍again with additional tariffs on China," the ING strategists said.

The political developments matter for oil markets as Iran is a major sanctioned producer and any escalation could disrupt supply or add a geopolitical risk premium.

"Unrest in Iran has added about $3-4/barrel in geopolitical risk premium in oil prices, in our view," Barclays said in a note.

Markets are also grappling with concerns of additional crude supply ⁠hitting the market due to Venezuela's anticipated return to exports. Following the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro, Trump said last week the government in Caracas is set to hand over as much as 50 million barrels of oil subject to Western sanctions to the US.

Global oil trading houses have emerged as early winners in the race to control Venezuelan crude flows, getting ahead of US energy majors.

Elsewhere, geopolitical tensions escalated as Russian forces launched attacks on Ukraine's two largest cities early on Tuesday, Ukrainian officials said.

In the United States, the Trump administration renewed its attacks on the Federal Reserve, underscoring concerns in markets about the central ‌bank's independence and adding to uncertainty about future economic conditions and oil demand.


Morocco Targets $10 Billion AI Contribution to GDP by 2030

 People wave Morocco's flag in the old town of Rabat, on January 9, 2026 prior the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarter-final football match Morocco v Cameroon. (AFP)
People wave Morocco's flag in the old town of Rabat, on January 9, 2026 prior the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarter-final football match Morocco v Cameroon. (AFP)
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Morocco Targets $10 Billion AI Contribution to GDP by 2030

 People wave Morocco's flag in the old town of Rabat, on January 9, 2026 prior the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarter-final football match Morocco v Cameroon. (AFP)
People wave Morocco's flag in the old town of Rabat, on January 9, 2026 prior the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarter-final football match Morocco v Cameroon. (AFP)

Morocco is targeting a 100 billion dirhams ($10 billion) boost to its gross domestic product from artificial intelligence by 2030, the minister in charge of digital transition said on Monday, as the country steps up its investment in training programs, sovereign data centers and cloud services.

Morocco, whose current GDP comes to around $170 billion, plans to invest in artificial intelligence centers linked ‌to universities and ‌the private sector, and ‌to ⁠integrate AI solutions ‌into public administration and industry, Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni told a conference in Rabat.

The GDP boost would largely come from expanding domestic data-processing capacity through sovereign data centers, scaling up cloud and fiber-optic infrastructure, and building an AI-skilled workforce ⁠to support the deployment of AI solutions across industry ‌and government, she said.

Under the ‍plan, Morocco expects ‍to create 50,000 AI-related jobs and train ‍200,000 graduates in AI skills by 2030.

As part of that effort, Seghrouchni on Monday signed a partnership agreement with France's Mistral AI to support the development of generative AI tools in Morocco.

"We want to turn Morocco into ⁠a future excellence hub in AI and data science," Seghrouchni said.

The government is also preparing legislation governing artificial intelligence, according to the minister.

Morocco has earmarked 11 billion dirhams ($1.2 billion) for its digital transformation strategy for 2024–2026, covering AI initiatives and the expansion of fiber-optic infrastructure. It is separately planning a 500-megawatt, renewable energy-powered data center in the southern city of Dakhla ‌to boost the security and sovereignty of national data storage.