Business

Saudi Arabia Expands Tourist E-Visa Eligibility to Four More Countries

Business The tourist visa allows visitors to attend events, perform Umrah, and visit exhibitions and conferences (SPA)

Saudi Arabia Expands Tourist E-Visa Eligibility to Four More Countries

Saudi Arabia has expanded its electronic tourist visa program by adding four countries to the list of eligible nationalities: Mexico, North Macedonia, Serbia,…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business A neighborhood in the Saudi capital, Riyadh (SPA)

50-Year Contracts Open New Horizons for Real Estate Investment in Saudi Arabia

Long-term real estate investment models are opening new opportunities for Saudi Arabia's private sector, as the Kingdom seeks to expand partnerships with…

Bandar al-Mosalam (Riyadh)
Business Gold chips displayed at a state-owned gold retail store in Surabaya, East Java (AFP)

Gold Rallies as Dollar, Treasury Yields Soften after US Midterm Results

Gold climbed to its highest level in over two weeks on Thursday as the fallout from the US midterm election results rippled through the global financial and…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Hong Kong stocks rallied more than three percent on a broadly healthy day for Asian markets. Leung Man Hei / AFP

Tech Hit by New AI Worries on Positive Day for Most Markets

Tech firms tumbled Thursday as investors contemplated the outlook for the AI boom after Democrats swept the US midterms, partly on the back of growing anger…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Türkiye is rapidly expanding its renewable energy capacity. But as host of COP31, the country faces growing pressure to match its clean energy ambitions with a clear commitment to phase out fossil fuels. Yasin AKGUL / AFP

Türkiye Showcases Renewables Surge, but Leaves Coal Intact

On a windy hillside about an hour's drive northwest of Istanbul, the Catalca power plant was one of Türkiye's first large-scale wind farms and has been feeding…

Asharq Al Awsat

Business FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold Prices Dip on Profit-taking, US Data in Focus

Gold prices fell about 1% on Thursday as investors booked profits following a three-day rally, with markets eyeing US jobs data for clues on the Federal…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Oil Recovers from Multi-year Low but Brent Remains below $70

Oil prices were steady on Thursday, recovering slightly from a multi-year low, though Brent was still below $70 under pressure from trade tariffs between the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A view of Syrian central bank, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, January 12, 2025. (Reuters)

Syria Gets New Cash Shipment from Russia 

Syria received a new shipment of its local currency printed in Russia on Wednesday and more shipments were expected in the future, a Syrian government official…

Business Employees at the Saudi Investment Bank. (Saudi Investment Bank)

Mandatory Insurance for Board Members of Saudi Financial Institutions Against Failures

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) is taking steps to require financial institutions that are listed on the Saudi stock markets—both…

Bandar al-Mosalam (Riyadh)
Business The MoU focuses on providing financing support for cooperation between Italian companies in the private sector and PIF and its portfolio companies (PIF)

Saudi PIF, Italy’s SACE Sign $3 Bn MoU

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and SACE, the Italian insurance and financial group fully owned by Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, have…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business A teller sorts US dollar banknotes inside the cashier's booth at a forex exchange bureau in downtown Nairobi, Kenya February 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File photo

Dollar Mauled by Trump Trade War

The dollar hit three-month lows on Wednesday as the US' trade war with its partners escalated, while a major overhaul to German government borrowing triggered…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo

Oil Drops for Third Day on OPEC+ Output Increase, Trump Tariffs

Oil prices declined for a third day on Wednesday, as investors worried about OPEC+ plans to proceed with output increases in April, and US President Donald…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. - Reuters

Gold Edges Up on Weak US Dollar, Political Uncertainty

Gold prices edged higher on Wednesday, aided by a weaker US dollar and political uncertainty following the latest import tariffs announced by US President…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business One of Al-Youm Bakeries’ factories in Jordan (Company Website)

Saudi Investment in Jordan’s Al-Youm Bakeries to Drive Its Expansion Plans

The Saudi Jordanian Investment Company (SJIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has signed an investment agreement…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business A technician operates a valve on a gas pipeline at a TAQA Arabia gas facility (TAQA Arabia's official website)

TAQA Arabia Reports 40% Revenue Increase in 2024

TAQA Arabia announced a 40% surge in its revenue last year, reaching 18.9 billion Egyptian pounds ($370 million) compared to 2023. In a financial statement…

Asharq Al Awsat (Cairo)
Business Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (AFP)

Saudi Non-oil Sector Jobs Rise at Fastest Pace in 16 Months

Business conditions in Saudi Arabia's non-oil private sector improved in February, driven by strong customer sales and business activity, which led to the…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Business China's President Xi Jinping arrives for the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Wednesday. Pedro Pardo / AFP

China Eyes 5 Percent Growth despite Trade War

China on Wednesday set an annual growth target of around five percent, vowing to make domestic demand its main economic driver as an escalating trade war with…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold Extends Gains as Safe-haven Rush follows Trump's Tariffs

Gold prices extended gains on Tuesday, driven by safe-haven demand as trade conflicts erupted after US President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs on top three…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business The employee of a currency exchange shop counts US dollar banknotes in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico July 27, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez/File Photo

Dollar Falls to Three-month Low as Tariffs and Growth Fears Rattle Markets

The dollar fell to a three-month low on Tuesday as concerns about slowing growth and the impact from tariffs on the US economy outweighed any potential boost…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A worker walks past oil pipes at a refinery in Wuhan, Hubei province March 23, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer//File Photo

Oil Down on OPEC+ Output Increase, Tariffs Start and US Pause on Ukraine Aid

Oil prices extended losses on Tuesday following reports that OPEC+ will proceed with a planned output increase in April and as US tariffs on Canada, Mexico and…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A man cycles pass a traffic junction with the office buildings around the Central Business District in Beijing, China, Monday, March 3, 2025. (AP) 

China Expected to Keep GDP Growth Goal Steady at 5% This Year

China’s annual GDP growth goal is expected to remain at “around 5%,” while its budget deficit target is likely to rise in a bid to spur domestic consumption…

Asharq Al Awsat (Beijing)
Business Officials are seen at the signing agreement on Monday. (SPA)

PIF, Goldman Sachs Asset Management Sign MoU to Partner on Investment in Saudi Arabia, GCC 

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Goldman Sachs Asset Management announced on Monday the signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding …

Business The slogan of "Aramco". (Reuters)

Saudi Oil Giant Aramco Reports $106 Billion Profit in 2024

Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil giant Aramco reported a $106.25 billion profit in 2024 on Tuesday, down 12% from the prior year on lower energy prices. A…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A commercial truck drives towards the Ambassador Bridge to Windsor, Ontario, Canada from Detroit, Michigan. US, March 3, 2025. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

Trade Wars Erupt as Trump Hits Canada, Mexico, China with Steep Tariffs

US President Donald Trump's new 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada took effect on Tuesday, along with a doubling of duties on Chinese goods to 20%,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A view shows El Feel oil field near Murzuq, Libya, July 6, 2017. (Reuters)

Libya Announces First Bidding Round for Oil Exploration in 17 Years

Libya plans its first bidding round for oil exploration in more than 17 years, Masoud Suleman, acting Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), announced…

Business A general view shows Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt July 13, 2020. (Reuters)

Egypt's Net Foreign Assets Jump in January

Egypt's net foreign assets (NFAs) jumped by $2.74 billion in January, boosted apparently by the sale of $2 billion in dollar-denominated bonds, central bank…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business Representation of bitcoin cryptocurrency is seen in this illustration taken January 11, 2024. (Reuters)

Bitcoin Jumps 20% after Trump Hints at New Strategic Reserve

Bitcoin surged more than 20% from last week's lows on Monday and several other cryptocurrencies also rallied sharply after US President Donald Trump raised the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Business A Ministry of Commerce employee communicates with customers via the “Live Chat” service (SPA)

Saudi Banks Ban WhatsApp for Customer Communication

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has prohibited the use of instant messaging apps like WhatsApp for customer communication, citing security concerns and deeming…

Bandar al-Mosalam (Riyadh)
Business A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File photo

Gold Firms on Weaker Dollar, Ukraine Peace Uncertainty

Gold prices edged up on Monday, helped by a weaker dollar, while a delay in finding peace in Ukraine and concerns over the US tariff policy fueled safe-haven…

Asharq Al Awsat