Al-Swaha: 'Expo 2030' Reflects Saudi Arabia's Readiness to Play Pioneering Global Role

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology during his meeting with the delegation of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Enquiry Mission - (Saudi Arabia Ministry of Communications and Information Technology)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology during his meeting with the delegation of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Enquiry Mission - (Saudi Arabia Ministry of Communications and Information Technology)
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Al-Swaha: 'Expo 2030' Reflects Saudi Arabia's Readiness to Play Pioneering Global Role

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology during his meeting with the delegation of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Enquiry Mission - (Saudi Arabia Ministry of Communications and Information Technology)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology during his meeting with the delegation of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Enquiry Mission - (Saudi Arabia Ministry of Communications and Information Technology)

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha stressed that Saudi Arabia was looking forward to host the Expo 2030, affirming that it will reflect the Kingdom's readiness to play a global pioneering role.

His remarks came during his meeting with the delegation of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Enquiry Mission, as part of their meetings to evaluate the Riyadh candidacy for Expo 2030.

Al-Swaha said the theme of Riyadh Expo 2030 "Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow” reflects Saudi Arabia’s depth of aspiration and willingness to play an active role on the global stage and to solve the most pressing challenges of this era.

"Our vision is to make Riyadh Expo 2030 a collaborative platform, to design and share the tools to create the blueprints for a better tomorrow. We also aspire for the Expo 2030 to enable foresight-led action by countries with impact at a global scale, and to offer the greatest impact and biggest possibilities to co-create the future,” state news agency SPA quoted Al-Swaha as saying.

The theme focuses on three areas of national and global interest:“A Different Tomorrow”, “Climate Action”, and “Prosperity for All”.

The BIE delegation also met with senior officials from the Public Investment Fund and NEOM, as well as Princess Haifa Al-Mogrin, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent representative to the UNESCO, Dr. Hala Al-Tuwaijri, President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission, and Dr. Eman Al-Mutairi,Vice Minister of Commerce.



$266 Mln Deal Boosts Liquidity in Saudi Housing Market

One of the projects under the Sakani program in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
One of the projects under the Sakani program in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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$266 Mln Deal Boosts Liquidity in Saudi Housing Market

One of the projects under the Sakani program in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
One of the projects under the Sakani program in Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company (SRC), owned by the Public Investment Fund, has signed a SAR 1 billion ($266.7 million) agreement with Bidaya Finance to buy a mortgage portfolio.
The deal is the largest of its kind, aimed at injecting liquidity into Saudi Arabia’s housing market.
The agreement, signed on Sunday, was attended by Housing Minister Majed Al-Hogail, who also chairs SRC, and Abdulaziz Al-Omair, Chairman of Bidaya Finance.
This move supports SRC’s efforts to grow the mortgage market and expand refinancing options, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of increasing homeownership among Saudi citizens.
SRC CEO Majeed Al Abduljabbar said the deal will boost liquidity and stabilize the housing finance market, helping more Saudis own homes. He added that it builds on SRC’s plan to partner with key lenders and develop a strong secondary mortgage market.
“This agreement is a pivotal step toward achieving the strategic objectives of the Housing Program by increasing homeownership among citizens,” Abduljabbar noted.
“It also aligns with our strategy to forge strategic partnerships with leading financing institutions, fostering the development of an active secondary market for residential mortgages,” he added.
Bidaya Finance CEO Mahmoud Dahduli called the agreement a step forward in offering innovative financing solutions, enabling more citizens to achieve their housing goals and contributing to Vision 2030’s housing targets.
“This strategic collaboration with SRC reinforces our shared role in offering reliable, innovative financing solutions that empower citizens to realize their housing aspirations, aligning with the Housing Program’s goal of increasing homeownership,” Dahduli said.
Established in 2017 by the Public Investment Fund, SRC aims to make home financing more accessible by providing liquidity to lenders and supporting Saudi Arabia’s housing sector under the national transformation plan, Vision 2030.