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Int’l Exhibition in Riyadh for Construction, Building Solutions

Riyadh hosts the “Big Five Saudi” exhibition for building industry sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh hosts the “Big Five Saudi” exhibition for building industry sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Int’l Exhibition in Riyadh for Construction, Building Solutions

Riyadh hosts the “Big Five Saudi” exhibition for building industry sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh hosts the “Big Five Saudi” exhibition for building industry sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)

In a step that enhances Saudi Arabia's economic, commercial and investment activities, Riyadh is preparing to host the “Big Five Saudi” exhibition for reviewing the latest technologies, innovations and sustainable solutions for construction and leading long-term partnerships.

The Big 5 Saudi exhibition will be opened by Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Eng. Osama Al-Zamil.

The exhibition aims to provide a platform for exchanging experiences and providing support to about 400 local and international parties from 35 countries. This is done to enhance cooperation and present more than a thousand solutions and building products to more than 15,000 expected participants who will be attending the exhibition at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Projects under construction in the Kingdom have a value of over $1.4 trillion, of which the construction and transportation sector account for the lion's share, with a value exceeding $825 billion, according to a report issued by MedProjects.

Muhammad Kazi, vice president of construction at DMG Events, the company organizing the exhibition between March 28 and 31, told Asharq Al-Awsat that it is the first event of its kind in the building materials industry this year.

Kazi noted that the exhibition will feature six sessions with prominent speakers from the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, the Saudi Entertainment Enterprises Company, and the United Nations Global Compact.

The exhibition’s activities, according to Kazi, will deal with sustainable development and leadership in the construction environment in the Kingdom. They will also focus on partnerships to achieve investment in Saudi projects and the adoption of new technologies in the construction industry.

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China Overtakes US as Germany’s Top Trading Partner 

A drone view shows ships and containers at the port in Qingdao, Shandong province, China October 20, 2025. (China Daily via Reuters)
A drone view shows ships and containers at the port in Qingdao, Shandong province, China October 20, 2025. (China Daily via Reuters)
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China Overtakes US as Germany’s Top Trading Partner 

A drone view shows ships and containers at the port in Qingdao, Shandong province, China October 20, 2025. (China Daily via Reuters)
A drone view shows ships and containers at the port in Qingdao, Shandong province, China October 20, 2025. (China Daily via Reuters)

China overtook the US as Germany's largest trading partner in the first eight months of 2025, regaining the top spot as higher tariffs weighed on German exports to the United States, preliminary data from the German statistics office showed.

German imports and exports with China totaled 163.4 billion euros ($190.7 billion) from January to August, while trade with the US amounted to 162.8 billion euros, according to Reuters calculations.

The US was Germany’s top trading partner in 2024, ending an eight-year streak for China. The shift came as Germany sought to reduce its reliance on China, with Berlin citing political differences and accusing Beijing of unfair practices.

Trade dynamics shifted again this year, however, with Donald Trump’s return to the White House and renewed tariffs.

US TARIFFS TAKE THEIR TOLL ON GERMAN EXPORTS

Tariffs have pushed down German exports to the United States, which fell 7.4% in the first eight months of the year compared with 2024 to 99.6 billion euros. In August, exports to the US fell 23.5% year-on-year, showing that the trend is accelerating.

"There is no question that US tariff and trade policy is an important reason for the decline in sales," said Dirk Jandura, president of the BGA foreign trade association.

Jandura said that US demand for classic German export goods, such as cars, machinery and chemicals, had fallen.

With the ongoing tariff threat and the stronger euro, German exports to the US are unlikely to rebound any time soon, said Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING.

CHINESE IMPORTS TO GERMANY SURGE

Exports to China fell even more sharply than those to the United States, dropping 13.5% year-on-year to 54.7 billion euros in the first eight months of 2025.

By contrast, imports from China rose 8.3% to 108.8 billion euros.

"The renewed import boom from China is worrying," said Brzeski. "Particularly as data shows that these imports come at dumping prices."

He warned that this not only increased German dependence on China but could add to stress in key industries where China has become a major rival.

"In the absence of economic dynamism at home, some in Germany may now be troubled by any shifts on world markets," said Berenberg economist Salomon Fiedler.

Business

Lubna Olayan, Jane Fraser Appointed Co-Chairs of Saudi-US Business Council 

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on August 29. 2025 (Reuters)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on August 29. 2025 (Reuters)
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Lubna Olayan, Jane Fraser Appointed Co-Chairs of Saudi-US Business Council 

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on August 29. 2025 (Reuters)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on August 29. 2025 (Reuters)

The Saudi-US Business Council announced on Tuesday the appointment of Olayan Group’s founding board chair Lubna Suliman Olayan, and Citigroup chief executive Jane Fraser as co-chairs of the council’s board of directors, representing Saudi Arabia and the United States, respectively.

The council said Olayan brings extensive experience in advancing Saudi-US economic relations. In addition to her role at the Olayan Group, she serves as chair of the board of directors of Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) and sits on several international advisory boards.

The two co-chairs will lead efforts to define the strategic direction of the council's work as a key platform supporting bilateral business and investment between Saudi Arabia and the US, added the council.

Their leadership comes at a pivotal time as the Kingdom continues to expand economic and investment opportunities under Saudi Vision 2030.

Business

Saudi Tourism Authority Concludes Promotional Tour in Gulf Countries 

The tour was carried out in cooperation with a select group of partners from the Saudi tourism private sector. (SPA)
The tour was carried out in cooperation with a select group of partners from the Saudi tourism private sector. (SPA)
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Saudi Tourism Authority Concludes Promotional Tour in Gulf Countries 

The tour was carried out in cooperation with a select group of partners from the Saudi tourism private sector. (SPA)
The tour was carried out in cooperation with a select group of partners from the Saudi tourism private sector. (SPA)

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) concluded its promotional tour across Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

The tour was carried out in cooperation with a select group of partners from the Saudi tourism private sector. The delegation met with over 750 partners from major travel agencies and tour operators in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to showcase Saudi tourism products and destinations.

It explored opportunities for cooperation and the development of diverse tourism packages and products, coinciding with the Saudi Winter 2025 program under the theme "Winter is Alive.”

The tour is part of the STA's ongoing efforts to promote its unique tourist destinations, empower private-sector partners both inside and outside Saudi Arabia, and contribute to attracting more segments of Gulf tourists to the Kingdom.