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New Murabba Leads Saudi Urban Development Investment Drive at MIPIM 2024 France

New Murabba Leads Saudi Urban Development Investment Drive at MIPIM 2024 France
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New Murabba Leads Saudi Urban Development Investment Drive at MIPIM 2024 France

New Murabba Leads Saudi Urban Development Investment Drive at MIPIM 2024 France

New Murabba Development Company, a leading urban development destination in Saudi Arabia, is showcasing its transformative vision at the 2024 MIPIM, a prestigious real estate event gathering industry leaders from across the globe taking place from March 12-15 at Cannes, France.

Under the “Invest Saudi” umbrella, New Murabba aims to attract international investment and highlight the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to economic diversification.

New Murabba is currently in the development phase of New Murabba Modern Downtown, a transformative urban development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It aims to create the world’s most transformative and modern city center, which will serve as a model for future urban development and contribute to the city’s evolution in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

As New Murabba prepares for its groundbreaking development, Mukaab, an iconic landmark within the modern downtown district, is undergoing significant progress. The destination has already excavated over 4 million cubic meters of material. Mukaab will feature the latest innovative technology and will be one of the largest built structures in the world at 400 meters in height, width, and length).

New Murabba will offer more than 27 million sq. km of floor area, 119,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, 980,000 sq. m of retail space, 1.4 million sq. m of office space, 620,000 sq. m of leisure assets, and 1.8 million sq. m of community facilities.

New Murabba’s participation at MIPIM aligns with the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the economy, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for its citizens. The destination is expected to attract significant foreign investment, add around $50 billion to the non-oil economy, and create 334,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030.

“New Murabba represents a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia’s economic journey,” said Michael Dyke, Chief Executive Officer of New Murabba Development Company. “We are building a future where innovation, sustainability, and cultural vibrancy thrive in harmony. Our presence at MIPIM underscores our commitment to attracting global investment and expertise to co-create this remarkable destination.”

“New Murabba’s strategic location and its dynamic young population make it the perfect launchpad for investors seeking to be part of the Kingdom's exciting transformation,” he remarked.

“We invite investors to be part of this groundbreaking destination, shaping the future of a dynamic metropolis and contributing to the Kingdom's ambitious diversification goals,” Dyke added.

New Murabba Development Company's presence at MIPIM underscores its commitment to enabling Saudi Arabia's economic diversification. New Murabba will be a blueprint for future urban development, delivering innovation, environmental responsibility, and economic growth for the Kingdom while presenting major opportunities for the world to be a part of its success.

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Business

Oil Prices Rise as Supply Concerns Linger amid Middle East Attacks

Oil pumps operate after sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France, March 18, 2026. (Reuters)
Oil pumps operate after sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France, March 18, 2026. (Reuters)
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Oil Prices Rise as Supply Concerns Linger amid Middle East Attacks

Oil pumps operate after sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France, March 18, 2026. (Reuters)
Oil pumps operate after sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France, March 18, 2026. (Reuters)

Oil prices rose on Friday after Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia stoked concerns of further disruption to energy supplies from the Middle East.

Brent crude futures climbed 58 cents, or 0.5%, to $113.75 a barrel as of 0439 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 66 cents, or 0.7%, to $100.13.

On a weekly basis, Brent, which settled at its highest since May 4 on Thursday, is set to close higher for a third ‌successive week, while WTI ‌is on track to finish lower, ‌following ⁠two weeks of gains.

"Markets are increasingly worried about renewed escalation in the Gulf, a scenario that could threaten oil ⁠flows that have so far remained remarkably ‌resilient," ING analysts said in a ‌note on Friday.

"Re-escalation seems the most likely path. Even ‌if tensions don't re-escalate, the mere possibility is likely ‌to keep a sizeable geopolitical risk premium embedded in prices."

"The key factors ⁠to monitor ⁠now are the extent of actual disruption and the time needed to restore operations, as these will ultimately determine how much of a supply risk premium the market is willing to pay," said Linh Tran, an analyst at XS.com.

"If attacks persist and delay deliveries, elevated prices will have a firmer foundation."

In Libya, an oil pipeline valve from the Hamada and Tahara oilfields to Zawiya port has been shut, leading to a reduction in production at both fields, the head of the National Oil Corporation told Reuters on Thursday.

Business

Port Security and Trade Continuity: A New Formula for Saudi Competitiveness

A panel discussion featuring Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab (Conference)
A panel discussion featuring Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab (Conference)
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Port Security and Trade Continuity: A New Formula for Saudi Competitiveness

A panel discussion featuring Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab (Conference)
A panel discussion featuring Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab (Conference)

Port competitiveness is no longer just about handling more ships and containers. Keeping trade moving and infrastructure secure against physical and cyber threats has become just as critical, as ports grow more reliant on digital systems and supply chains become increasingly complex.

The economic fallout from port disruptions and their impact on global trade took center stage at a session titled "Securing Infrastructure" during the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress 2026, which opened Wednesday in Jeddah with maritime and infrastructure security experts in attendance.

Discussions focused on threats facing ports and shipping companies, particularly cyberattacks capable of crippling operations and disrupting trade, and the need to strengthen port readiness to keep services running and limit economic losses.

Professor Waheed Sami Abu Shanab, a professor of marine engineering at King Abdulaziz University's Faculty of Maritime Studies, said Saudi ports now face a challenge that goes beyond expanding capacity: withstanding disruptions while keeping trade flowing at the lowest possible cost.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the session, Abu Shanab said Saudi Arabia's ports on the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf gave the kingdom a strategic advantage as international trade routes shift. But making the most of that position requires greater investment in operational resilience, logistics connectivity and cybersecurity.

Investments top $3.7 billion

The challenges come as Saudi Arabia ramps up investment in port infrastructure. Its ports now have 34 logistics centers, including 17 at Jeddah Islamic Port, backed by investments exceeding 14 billion riyals ($3.7 billion), alongside projects to upgrade container terminals and boost handling capacity.

Abu Shanab said the investments include more than 2 billion riyals to develop a container terminal at Jubail Port and an initial 1.6 billion riyals for a fourth container terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port. Other projects involve upgrading cargo-handling equipment and expanding the use of modern operating systems.

He said future investment must focus on operational efficiency, reserve capacity and stronger links between ports, roads, railways and logistics hubs to absorb sudden surges in shipping volumes and redirect cargo when routes are disrupted.

Abu Shanab floated a preliminary proposal for an additional 10 billion to 20 billion riyals in investment over five years to strengthen strategic ports' readiness.

He stressed that the figure was a proposed planning scenario, not an official assessment of the sector's needs or an approved budget.

Cyberattacks threaten trade beyond ports

Abu Shanab warned that growing reliance on digital systems exposes ports to cyber threats whose economic impact could ripple through factories, markets and supply chains.

He pointed to the 2017 cyberattack on global shipping group Maersk, which the company estimated cost it between $200 million and $300 million after widespread disruption to its operations and systems.

A failure of digital systems managing containers, vessel schedules and cranes could leave cargo stranded, drive up delay and insurance costs, and undermine shipping companies' commitments and customer confidence, he said.

To illustrate the potential costs, Abu Shanab offered a hypothetical scenario: a delay affecting 5,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), each incurring an additional 1,000 riyals in costs, would generate a direct bill of 5 million riyals before indirect losses.

He stressed that the calculation did not reflect actual losses at Saudi ports but illustrated the potential cost of disruptions. Investing in prevention and business continuity, he argued, could be cheaper than shutting down a strategic port.

Competitiveness goes beyond handling fees

Abu Shanab said regional ports should be judged not simply by their handling charges but by the total cost of getting goods from ships to markets, including customs clearance, storage, inland transport and schedule reliability.

Saudi ports overseen by the Saudi Ports Authority handled about 8.3 million TEUs in 2025, up 10.58% from a year earlier, highlighting growing activity and the need to expand capabilities without compromising service efficiency.

Artificial intelligence could help schedule vessel arrivals and allocate berths, while upgraded handling equipment could cut waiting times and fuel, storage and transportation costs, making services more reliable for shipping lines, he said.

"The most competitive port is not necessarily the one with the lowest fees, but the one offering the lowest total logistics cost, the greatest reliability and the fastest access to markets," Abu Shanab said.

Simulating crises before they strike

Abu Shanab called for a national simulation model using digital twins and artificial intelligence to test how ports and supply chains would respond to facility shutdowns or shifting maritime routes, and measure the time and cost of restoring operations.

He also urged stronger protection for critical infrastructure, including submarine cables, energy and telecommunications facilities, alongside improved vessel monitoring systems, disaster recovery centers and backup operating plans to keep essential services running.

Saudi Arabia's ports on two coastlines, coupled with expanding logistics services and transport networks, offer a foundation for more reliable supply chains, he said. But realizing that potential depends on matching existing investments with operational and technological readiness.

Protecting maritime infrastructure, Abu Shanab concluded, is no longer a standalone security or technical concern. It is central to port competitiveness and Saudi Arabia's ability to keep trade flowing, attract shipping lines and secure long-term investment.

Business

Türkiye Cuts Key Interest Rate to 36%, First Cut in Months

Central Bank of Türkiye (Official Website)
Central Bank of Türkiye (Official Website)
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Türkiye Cuts Key Interest Rate to 36%, First Cut in Months

Central Bank of Türkiye (Official Website)
Central Bank of Türkiye (Official Website)

Türkiye's central bank cut its key interest rate on Thursday to 36 percent in the first cut in nine months, pointing to a recent slowdown in inflation.

At a policy meeting, the bank "decided to reduce the policy interest rate ... from 37 percent to 36 percent," it said in a statement.

It was the first cut since January when the bank cut the key rate from 38 to 37 percent, a rate which it held until Thursday's meeting.

"Despite monthly fluctuations, recent inflation figures and leading indicators confirm the downward trend," a bank statement said.

"Data on economic activity and the limited impact of supply shocks on domestic prices suggest that the weak trend in domestic demand continues," it added.

However, ongoing geopolitical tensions were keeping energy prices high, which could push inflation higher, it warned, saying the effects of such geopolitical developments "are being closely monitored".

Türkiye's annual inflation rate eased to 29.7 percent in September from 31.5 percent in August - the first time it had fallen below 30 percent in nearly five years, official figures showed.

At the time, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said it was at its lowest level since November 2021. "Disinflation is spreading across the board, excluding transportation," he wrote on X.

The official figures are disputed by the ENAG group of independent economists that publishes its own data, which said its figures showed year-on-year inflation stood at 46.6 percent in September.