Saudi Arabia, Egypt Sign 14 Deals Worth $7.7 Bln

20 June 2022, Egypt, Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) receives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo. (SPA)
20 June 2022, Egypt, Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) receives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt Sign 14 Deals Worth $7.7 Bln

20 June 2022, Egypt, Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) receives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo. (SPA)
20 June 2022, Egypt, Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) receives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo. (SPA)

Egypt and Saudi Arabia have signed 14 agreements valued at $7.7 billion during a visit to Cairo by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Egypt's General Authority for Investment and Free Zones said in a statement on Tuesday.

Deals signed on Tuesday included an agreement between Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power and the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company to produce and transmit 1100 MW of windpower, the authority's statement said.

More renewable energy agreements were signed, as well as deals in involving petroleum products, food and fintech.

Other deals involved the development of the multi-purpose terminal at Egypt's Damietta port, the authority's statement said, and the establishment of a $150 million "pharmaceutical city" by Egypt's Pharco Pharmaceuticals in Saudi Arabia, the company's chairman told Alsharq TV.

In March, Saudi Arabia deposited $5 billion in the Egypt's central bank and the Egyptian government has said that cooperation with the Saudi sovereign wealth fund will result in $10 billion in investments.

The Saudi-based ITFC has provided Egypt with $3 billion in new financing for commodity imports, its CEO told Reuters last week.

Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid al-Qasabi said Saudi investments in Egypt top 30 billion dollars through over 6,000 companies operating in the country and trade exchange that rose 85 percent in 2021 to reach 14.5 billion dollars.

Crown Prince Mohammed arrived in Egypt on Monday night, the first stop on a regional tour that will take him to Jordan and Turkey.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the Saudi royal upon his arrival at Cairo airport.



Saudi Passports Directorate Utilizes Airport E-Gates to Speed Up Hajj Pilgrim Departures

Automated E-gates allow departing pilgrims to complete passport control steps independently in a matter of seconds. (SPA)
Automated E-gates allow departing pilgrims to complete passport control steps independently in a matter of seconds. (SPA)
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Saudi Passports Directorate Utilizes Airport E-Gates to Speed Up Hajj Pilgrim Departures

Automated E-gates allow departing pilgrims to complete passport control steps independently in a matter of seconds. (SPA)
Automated E-gates allow departing pilgrims to complete passport control steps independently in a matter of seconds. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports is utilizing modern technologies, including self-service E-gates at international airports, to streamline departure procedures for post-Hajj pilgrims across all border ports.

By instantly matching biometric data, these automated E-gates allow departing pilgrims to complete passport control steps independently in a matter of seconds.

The initiative, by the Ministry of Interior, significantly enhances passenger flow, reduces waiting times, and ensures a smoother, more efficient exit journey for travelers.

Saudi Arabia had announced the exceptional success of this year’s Hajj season that was backed by an integrated system of security, organization, and services, allowing pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease and tranquility.

The 2026 Hajj saw 1,707,301 pilgrims perform the rituals, with 1,485,729 pilgrims arriving via air ports, 54,429 by land, and 6,497 by sea.

Spokesperson of the General Directorate of Passports Major Nasser Al-Otaibi stressed on Sunday that the directorate continues to implement its operational plan for the departure of pilgrims through all international air, land, and sea ports.


Saudi Arabia to Host 39th Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference this Week

The Speaker of the Saudi Shura Council said Joint Arab action represents a fundamental pillar for addressing current challenges (Arab Parliament)
The Speaker of the Saudi Shura Council said Joint Arab action represents a fundamental pillar for addressing current challenges (Arab Parliament)
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Saudi Arabia to Host 39th Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference this Week

The Speaker of the Saudi Shura Council said Joint Arab action represents a fundamental pillar for addressing current challenges (Arab Parliament)
The Speaker of the Saudi Shura Council said Joint Arab action represents a fundamental pillar for addressing current challenges (Arab Parliament)

Saudi Arabia will host the 39th Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) on Thursday via videoconference under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The conference, organized by the Shura Council and AIPU, will bring together speakers of Arab parliaments and legislative councils, as well as delegates from several organizations.

Speaker of the Shura Council Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh expressed his appreciation for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' patronage of the conference. He said the support reflects the commitment of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to strengthening joint Arab cooperation and highlighting the role of Arab solidarity in supporting regional security and stability.

He also underscored the Kingdom's commitment to advancing development and prosperity across the Arab world.

"Joint Arab action represents a fundamental pillar for addressing current challenges and an important basis for unifying positions and coordinating parliamentary efforts," Al Al-Sheikh said.

He added that such efforts contribute to enhancing stability, protecting shared Arab interests, promoting the role of parliaments in supporting development efforts, and consolidating the values of dialogue and integration among Arab states.

Al Al-Sheikh said the Shura Council looks forward to welcoming participants to the conference and expressed hope that its outcomes will support joint Arab parliamentary action and strengthen parliamentary diplomacy as an effective tool for advancing Arab causes in the region and the world.


Saudi, Qatari FMs Discuss Efforts to Support Regional Security

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi, Qatari FMs Discuss Efforts to Support Regional Security

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has made a phone call to Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

During the call on Sunday, the two ministers reviewed the latest developments and their implications for the region, as well as the two countries’ efforts to support security and stability.