New Saudi Investments in Sudan’s Agriculture

Sudanese farmers prepare their land for agriculture on the banks of the river Nile in Khartoum. (Reuters)
Sudanese farmers prepare their land for agriculture on the banks of the river Nile in Khartoum. (Reuters)
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New Saudi Investments in Sudan’s Agriculture

Sudanese farmers prepare their land for agriculture on the banks of the river Nile in Khartoum. (Reuters)
Sudanese farmers prepare their land for agriculture on the banks of the river Nile in Khartoum. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia and Sudan have launched a new agricultural partnership as part of the implementation of the Arab food security initiative.

High hopes are pinned on this initiative, in which Arab states would reduce annual expenses on importing food products, which exceeds billions of dollars. Sudan would also exploit its agricultural lands, measured at more than 200 million acres, of which only 20 percent are being used.

The Sudanese-Saudi partnership deal was signed Saturday in the northern River Nile region that boasts the agricultural investments of major Saudi companies.

Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali Hassan bin Jaafar said that Riyadh and Khartoum are seeking to develop agricultural work, attain benefits for Sudanese farmers and fulfill the needs of Arab citizens.

He spoke of the current program between their two countries aimed at building a strategic partnership that would serve as a model in developing Saudi-Sudanese ties in all fields.

A prominent Sudanese official pledged to resolve all difficulties facing Saudi investments in Sudan, provide more facilitations to prepare the suitable work environment for Saudi investors and attract additional investments.

Ochik Mohammed Ahmed Taher, Secretary-General of the National Investment Authority, stated that the authority will resolve all problems encountered by Saudi investors.

Jaafar had held several meetings in Sudan as part of Saudi efforts to expand investment in the country.

The ambassador had met with Taher, with both officials agreeing that Saudi investments should play a role in economic and social development in Sudan.



Cluster2 Company Launches Direct Flights from Muscat to Saudi Arabia's Taif

 Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA
Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA
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Cluster2 Company Launches Direct Flights from Muscat to Saudi Arabia's Taif

 Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA
Three direct flights will take place per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air - SPA

The Cluster2 Company, operator of Taif International Airport, announced the launch of three direct flights per week between Muscat and Taif via Oman Air, starting January 31, SPA reported.

The launch of international flights through the cluster’s airports comes as part of its ongoing commitment to improving the passenger experience and expanding international travel options, while continuing to build strategic partnerships with global airlines to enhance air connectivity in the Kingdom.


Oil Prices Rise as US Ramps up Action against Venezuela Tankers

A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
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Oil Prices Rise as US Ramps up Action against Venezuela Tankers

A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

Oil prices rose on Monday after the US intercepted ​an oil tanker in international waters off the coast of Venezuela and tensions in Russia's war against Ukraine remained high, with both developments raising fears of supply disruption.

Brent crude futures gained $1.31, or 2.17%, to $61.78 a barrel by 1316 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose by $1.25, or 2.2%, to $57.77.

Market participants now see a risk of disruption to Venezuelan oil exports because of the US ‌embargo, having previously ‌been complacent in that regard, said ‌UBS ⁠analyst Giovanni ​Staunovo.

Venezuelan crude ‌accounts for about 1% of global supply.

Growing supply from the US and the OPEC+ producer group have largely offset worries over supply disruption elsewhere to keep Brent futures around $65 a barrel in the second half of 2025, though prices have eased in the past month because of oversupply concerns.

Oil prices have been supported by developments off Venezuela while ⁠Russia-Ukraine tensions simmer in the background in an otherwise very bearish market, said June ‌Goh, analyst at Sparta Commodities.

The US Coast ‍Guard is pursuing an oil ‍tanker in international waters near Venezuela in what would be the ‍second such operation over the weekend and the third in less than two weeks if successful, officials told Reuters on Sunday.

A rebound in oil prices has been sparked by US President Donald Trump's announcement of a "total ​and complete" blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers and subsequent developments there, followed by reports of a Ukrainian drone strike ⁠on a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Mediterranean, said IG analyst Tony Sycamore.

The Brent and WTI benchmarks fell by about 1% last week.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that talks between US, European and Ukrainian officials in Florida over the past three days in an effort to end Russia's war in Ukraine had focused on aligning positions. Those meetings and separate talks with Russian negotiators had been productive, he said.

However, the top foreign policy aide of Russian President Vladimir Putin said that changes made by the Europeans ‌and Ukraine to US proposals had not improved prospects for peace.


GASTAT: Construction Costs in Saudi Arabia Rose 1% in November

The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA
The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA
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GASTAT: Construction Costs in Saudi Arabia Rose 1% in November

The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA
The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025. SPA

The Construction Cost Index in Saudi Arabia rose 1% in November 2025 compared with the same month last year, driven by equal 1% increases in both residential and non-residential construction costs, according to data released by the Kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The monthly Construction Cost Index survey results showed price stability in November 2025 compared with October 2025.

The Construction Cost Index bulletin is part of GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to develop statistical products for vital sectors and provide a reliable and effective reference with accurate estimates to support decision-making by contractors, real estate developers, and relevant entities.

These efforts contribute to drawing a clear roadmap for residential and non-residential construction projects in the building and construction sector.