Saudi Arabia Seeks to Monitor Projects in Iraq, Expand Private Sector Businesses

Saudi Arabia to expand the export of its national products and services abroad (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia to expand the export of its national products and services abroad (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Seeks to Monitor Projects in Iraq, Expand Private Sector Businesses

Saudi Arabia to expand the export of its national products and services abroad (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia to expand the export of its national products and services abroad (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia is intensifying its efforts to expand the scope of private sector businesses and open wider horizons for national products and services, through a number of programs, initiatives, and services.

The Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA) called on the private sector to review the latest reports on projects in Iraq through the “International Tenders” service, in a step towards providing continuous support to exporters and identifying the best investments that contribute to expanding their business.

The International Tenders service aims to open new opportunities for national companies to expand in international markets and increase their competitiveness by allowing them to export services and products via international tenders in several targeted sectors.

Saudi Exports called on all companies interested in receiving the service to register, which is a condition for any company to get the service.

Last year, SEDA launched the "International Tenders" service to support exporters, increase their competitiveness, and boost the export rate of Saudi services, products, and re-exportation.

The Authority will identify over 120 international tender opportunities in a number of target countries, mainly covering construction and industrial supplies and infrastructure projects.

The service includes eight targeted sectors and 24 sub-branches, where Saudi Exports will provide periodic reports with data and analyses for the most important projects in targeted countries.

Saudi Exports will also provide periodic reports on data and analysis of the most important projects in the targeted countries.

Last month, SEDA launched Institutional Transformation Strategy to boost non-oil exports, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.

The Strategy aims to move to a new stage that aligns with the objectives of Vision 2030 in integration with a number of relevant government agencies to diversify the local economy by promoting Saudi non-oil exports.

Saudi Exports announced that over 220 exporting companies benefited from the 'Saudi Export Stimulus' Program, while the 'Made in Saudi Arabia' Program attracted over 1,200 local companies and introduced their products to global markets.

The authority's new strategy aims to boost the participation of non-oil exports from 16 percent to at least 50 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, in line with Vision 2030.

The Saudi government is focused on boosting non-oil exports by providing programs and initiatives aligned with Vision 2030, including “Made in Saudi Arabia,” under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP).

The Program aims to support national products through an effective economy and unify production services. It combines the identity of Saudi products and services to promote them locally and internationally.



Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement. It did not say where the New Jersey walkout was occurring.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Talks between the coffee chain and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season that may impact the company's Christmas sales.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach "hundreds of stores" by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.