Egypt, Qatar Boost Relations through Commerce, Industry

The Egyptian Minister of Commerce and Industry and her Qatari counterpart meet in Doha. (Egyptian government)
The Egyptian Minister of Commerce and Industry and her Qatari counterpart meet in Doha. (Egyptian government)
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Egypt, Qatar Boost Relations through Commerce, Industry

The Egyptian Minister of Commerce and Industry and her Qatari counterpart meet in Doha. (Egyptian government)
The Egyptian Minister of Commerce and Industry and her Qatari counterpart meet in Doha. (Egyptian government)

Egyptian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Nevine Gamea held talks in Doha on Monday with Qatari Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Free Zones Authority Ahmed al-Sayed.

The meeting addressed investment opportunities, their advantages, and ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides.

Gamea said in a statement that the meeting underscored the political support to push the economic and trade relations between the two countries to higher levels.

She invited her Qatari counterpart to visit Cairo to discuss opportunities and possibilities of cooperation in developing free zones and increasing investments.

In January 2021, Saudi Arabia hosted the signing of the AlUla Agreement to end the dispute between Riyadh, Cairo, Manama, and Abu Dhabi, with Doha after nearly four years of severed ties.

Gamea announced that she had agreed with her Qatari counterpart, Mohammed bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, to restructure the Egyptian-Qatari Joint Business Council.

She said her meetings in Doha addressed cooperation between the two countries in entrepreneurship, exchanging experiences, and sharing the successful skills in this field.

She noted that the meeting also agreed on the importance of reviewing trade and economic agreements between the two countries, in line with regional and global economic developments.

She reviewed the Egyptian experience in establishing and managing industrial complexes. Egypt boasts 17 industrial complexes in 15 governorates covering all productive sectors.

For his part, the Qatari Minister of State stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between Qatar and Egypt in various economic fields, especially the free zone sector.

He called for seizing the great opportunities and potentials of the two countries, pointing to the vital role of the Qatar Free Zones Authority, which has a capital of $1 billion, in developing free zones and enabling private sector projects in the country.

Gamea later held a meeting with the head of the Qatar Investment Authority, Mansoor bin Ebrahim.

They reviewed various projects, and investment opportunities in Egypt and ways to benefit from the Authority’s programs in financing new projects in Egypt.



Saudi Defense Ministry Denies Reports of Attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj

Saudi Defense Ministry Denies Reports of Attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj
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Saudi Defense Ministry Denies Reports of Attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj

Saudi Defense Ministry Denies Reports of Attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj

Saudi official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense Major General Turki Al-Malki stated that reports circulating about Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj Governorate having been targeted are inaccurate, SPA reported.

Major General Al-Malki said: “The activation of warning sirens in Al-Kharj Governorate early this morning was a precautionary measure following the launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen, which disappeared near the border. Investigations are still underway to determine the details and circumstances of this launch.”


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.