Arab Ministers To Discuss Future Of Mining In Riyadh Next Week

One of the entrances to the Al-Amar gold mine, south of the Saudi capital (Asharq Al-Awsat).
One of the entrances to the Al-Amar gold mine, south of the Saudi capital (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Arab Ministers To Discuss Future Of Mining In Riyadh Next Week

One of the entrances to the Al-Amar gold mine, south of the Saudi capital (Asharq Al-Awsat).
One of the entrances to the Al-Amar gold mine, south of the Saudi capital (Asharq Al-Awsat).

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, in partnership with the Arab Industrial Development, Standardization and Mining Organization (AIDSMO), will hold on Tuesday the 8th Consultative Meeting of Arab Ministers for Mineral Resources.

The meeting will come in conjunction with the Future Minerals Forum, which will take place in Riyadh on Jan. 11-13.

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef is scheduled to open the consultative meeting, in the presence of all Arab ministers of industry, energy, oil, and mining, and the director-general of the AIDSMO.

The meeting agenda includes a review of AIDSMO’s activities in the mineral resources sector during the period between the seventh and eighth consultative ministerial meetings and the implementation of the relevant recommendations, especially those related to the database of mining ore production and capacity building.

The meeting will also discuss preparations for a mining guiding system for Arab countries, the Arab initiative for metals used in clean energy technologies, and the Arab industrial and mining products orders and offers platform.

In an earlier statement, the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced that it would organize on Jan. 11-13 in Riyadh, the International Mining Conference, which will represent an opportunity for governments, companies, and investors to discuss various issues and challenges facing the sector over the past two years.



Saudi Entertainment Sector Continues to Attract More Visitors

An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA
An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA
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Saudi Entertainment Sector Continues to Attract More Visitors

An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA
An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA

The entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia continues to attract more visitors to achieve the country's target of 150 million visitors annually by 2030.

The General Entertainment Authority announced last Friday that Riyadh Season 2024 has already welcomed over 12 million visitors since its launch on October 13 with a daily average of around 174,000 visitors.

The number of visitors to Riyadh Season 2024 has already exceeded half the total attendance of last year's season, which was 20 million visitors, with a daily average of about 150,000 visitors.

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Alalshikh announced during a press conference for Riyadh Season 2024 that this year's edition will include 14 entertainment areas, 11 international tournaments, and 100 exhibitions and festivals.

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib revealed earlier this year that the country had achieved the goals of Vision 2030 by surpassing 100 million visitors. As a result, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s new strategy was set to reach 150 million visitors.

In September, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlighted Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector as a major contributor to the country’s economic diversification.
An IMF report acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s success in exceeding the Vision 2030 target of attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2023, seven years ahead of schedule. Tourism revenues reached $36 billion in 2023, with net tourism income increasing by 38%. The sector’s direct and indirect contribution to GDP reached 11.5% in 2023, with expectations to grow to 16% by 2034.