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Apple Expands its Presence in Saudi Arabia with Launch of Arabic Online Store  

A concept image of the Apple Store. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A concept image of the Apple Store. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Apple Expands its Presence in Saudi Arabia with Launch of Arabic Online Store  

A concept image of the Apple Store. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A concept image of the Apple Store. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Apple has officially launched its online store in Arabic for customers in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion strategy for the region. The move also aligns with its plans to open a physical retail store in the Kingdom as part of a broader effort to deepen its regional presence.

According to Deirdre O’Brien, Senior Vice President of Retail and People at Apple, this step reflects the company’s growing commitment to Saudi Arabia and its rapidly expanding customer base.

The Arabic-language store is now accessible through Apple’s website and via the Apple Store app on smart devices.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, O’Brien expressed strong enthusiasm about bringing the Apple retail experience to Saudi Arabia. She emphasized the company’s longstanding presence in the Kingdom and noted that Saudi customers are deeply passionate about Apple products. This launch, she said, will help strengthen Apple’s direct relationship with communities across the country.

She also explained that both the online store and the upcoming physical location are part of Apple’s broader strategy in the Middle East. The company already operates several retail locations in the United Arab Emirates and continues to see strong demand for its products across the Gulf.

Investing in local economy

When asked about Apple’s investment in the Saudi economy, O’Brien pointed to initiatives such as the Apple Developer Academy, which is focused on nurturing and empowering local talent.

She described the company’s investment as one that aims to inspire individuals and support creativity. By combining Apple’s technology with passionate communities, she said, remarkable things can be achieved.

Apple has tailored the online store to meet the specific needs of Saudi customers. Features include live chat with Apple specialists in Arabic, customizable product options for devices like Mac and Apple Watch, and the ability to engrave AirPods and other accessories in Arabic or with emojis.

O’Brien highlighted the importance of making the full Apple experience accessible to customers in Saudi Arabia both online and in-store. She also noted that Apple offers device trade-in programs to accommodate users from different segments.

With e-commerce on the rise in Saudi Arabia, Apple is aiming to deliver a seamless shopping journey that blends both digital and physical experiences. O’Brien stated that Apple’s retail model has been designed to reflect modern shopping behavior, where customers move easily between online and in-store interactions. Whether a purchase begins online and ends in a store, or vice versa, Apple aims to provide consistent, high-quality support throughout.

Landmark store in Riyadh

Apple’s first physical store in Saudi Arabia is set to open in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a prominent cultural destination in Riyadh.

O’Brien described Diriyah as a unique and special location. She said Apple is committed to ensuring each of its stores reflects the local identity and culture, and that the new store in Saudi Arabia will be no exception.

She encouraged local customers to visit once the store opens, expressing confidence that the experience will be both unique and memorable.

Retail services

Apple is continuing to strengthen its presence in Saudi Arabia by focusing on innovation, engaging more closely with the local community, and delivering a retail experience designed to support and serve users throughout the Kingdom.

The new Arabic online store allows Saudi customers to browse and purchase Apple’s full product lineup. The experience is personalized, offering product recommendations based on the customer’s current devices. Customers can also compare models, access saved items, and track orders directly through the app.

For the first time, Apple is offering free consultations in Arabic and English through the Saudi store website. These sessions allow users to personalize products like AirPods, Apple Pencil, and AirTag with Arabic or English text and numbers, enhancing the individuality of each device.

Apple’s retail offering also includes pre-purchase support through chat and phone to help users find the best product for their needs. Post-purchase, the company provides services like personalized setup, secure data transfer for those switching to iOS, and eSIM activation.

As part of its long-term strategy, Apple has announced plans to open its first flagship retail store in Saudi Arabia by 2026. This store will be the first in a broader rollout of retail locations across the Kingdom.

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Business

Saudi Energy Minister Says Kingdom Remains Reliable, Flexible Supplier

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
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Saudi Energy Minister Says Kingdom Remains Reliable, Flexible Supplier

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman seized the spotlight at a high-level dialogue session held during the 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, breaking a strategic silence that had become a focus of questions and a gauge for global market expectations.

Speaking on Thursday, he delivered carefully calibrated messages to the energy sector, stressing that the world urgently needs stability in energy markets and declaring with confidence that the Kingdom is a flexible energy supplier, was, and will remain so under all circumstances.

In his remarks during a special session at the forum, where the Kingdom is taking part as “main guest of honor” as the two countries mark the centenary of diplomatic relations, Prince Abdulaziz acknowledged that current geopolitical events in the Middle East were distracting attention and obstructing focus on Saudi Arabia’s strategic priorities, foremost among them the goals of Vision 2030.

He described the situation as a source of considerable frustration.

Even so, he sent a strong message of reassurance to global markets, saying in a firm tone that it was their duty, and that of every Saudi citizen, to defy this difficult environment and continue to pursue their ambitions.

The Kingdom has the capability and confidence to address challenges and demonstrate its economic and operational resilience, he added.

He pointed to what he described as the success of Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and logistics system in turning tragedies into opportunities, and in managing the Hajj season with unprecedented success despite the surrounding regional turmoil.

On the partnership with Moscow, the Saudi Energy Minister announced the signing of 30 new cooperation agreements between the private sectors in the two countries across fields including industry, education, tourism, and energy.

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)

Prince Abdulaziz said the Kingdom will sign agreements across various fields and that there are no limits or restrictions on joint cooperation.

He added that the strategic mindset in Riyadh and Moscow had moved beyond being merely “producers of oil or gas” to “manufacturing and supplying energy in its comprehensive sense,” including hydrocarbons and the export of electrons.

In an explanation of his earlier position, which had kept oil traders on edge, Prince Abdulaziz said he had deliberately remained silent during the period that witnessed one of the most severe global energy crises.

A minister is required to maintain his composure and not panic, because panic makes a person lose control of the narrative, he explained.

He moved on to express his intention to maintain silence, because silence amid many unknowns is a message and a humble acknowledgment that reality is changing quickly, and is a form of respect for oneself and for others.

He concluded his assessment of current market conditions with a pointed remark reflecting the scale of uncertainty clouding the global scene.

“The situation we’re going through now does make a point here, which is the world needs every molecule of energy, and every form of stabilization to this energy, because without energy security, you will lose sustainability,” the Saudi minister said.

“There are so many moving parts, there are so many unknowns, there are things that you think have become a reality, but then you wake up in the next morning and the reality is no longer a reality.”

Novak says the market faces a 12 million barrel shortfall

For his part, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak described the current crisis in the international oil market as unprecedented, with no parallel even in the 20th century.

Novak said Russia would deal with the Western sanctions imposed on it with flexibility and complete calm, given its position as a key supplier of energy resources to the international market.

He warned of a large, hidden shortfall in global supply, estimated at about 12 million barrels per day that are currently not reaching the market.

He said global markets had not yet felt the full impact of the energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict because the situation was being managed through withdrawals from surplus reserve inventories.

Novak cautioned that if the conflict continues and Gulf states delay increasing production, the market will face an acute and immediate physical shortage of supplies within a few months.

In his analysis of the producers’ alliance, Novak stressed that the OPEC+ agreement remains a key driver of energy market direction.

He said its members control more than 50% of global production and more than 40% of total exports, adding that the agreements have proven highly efficient at curbing volatility and reducing market fluctuations.

Novak said current data gave countries an opportunity to accelerate compliance, describing the existing approach as a “standard and normal course” that allows countries that had previously exceeded their quotas for any reason to implement compensation plans for their earlier overproduction more quickly.

On Russia, Novak said technical analytical calculations to determine Russia’s maximum production ceiling are continuing in cooperation with the companies concerned, and would be discussed with partners by the end of 2026.

He expected Moscow to effectively reach its assigned production levels this year under the agreed quotas, despite current output being slightly lower than at the start of the year because several refineries were undergoing “emergency and unscheduled maintenance.”

Expectations of strong demand

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said the organization expects robust oil demand growth and would not change its estimates despite the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Despite all the commentary out ⁠there that oil demand is declining, we have not registered signs of that yet,” Al Ghais said.

“We still see robust demand growth at 1.2 million barrels a day for this year,” he said.

He also said investment in the oil sector should not be affected by "one-off events" that may occur anywhere in the world.

Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi told the session that renewable energy is a top priority to reduce dependence on natural gas. He said Egypt is working hard to increase electricity generation from wind and hydropower to secure a sustainable energy mix.

Markets hold their breath before the Sunday marathon

The remarks made at the forum on Thursday carry major significance as a prelude and practical indicator of the direction of leading producers ahead of decisive oil-related meetings next Sunday.

That day will see three consecutive meetings, beginning with OPEC’s administrative conference, followed by the 66th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, or JMMC, which is responsible for monitoring compliance levels, consensus, and the approval of current compensation plans.

Investors are closely watching the 41st ministerial meeting of the OPEC+ alliance. Informed sources said the alliance is likely to approve an additional gradual increase in its targets for next July.

Business

OPEC Secretary General: Oil Demand to Remain Robust, No Change to Estimates

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
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OPEC Secretary General: Oil Demand to Remain Robust, No Change to Estimates

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)
OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg on June 4, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)

OPEC expects robust oil demand growth and is not changing its estimates, Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said on Thursday at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, despite the Middle East conflict and closure of the ⁠Strait of Hormuz.

"Despite ⁠all the commentary out there that oil demand is declining, we have not registered signs of that yet," ⁠Reuters quoted Al Ghais as saying.

"We still see robust demand growth at 1.2 million barrels a day for this year," he said.

He also said that investments in the oil industry should not be affected by "one-off events" that happen ⁠anywhere ⁠in the world.

"We need to invest well ahead of time to be prepared for the demand that we see in the future," he said.

Business

Egypt Plans to List More State-owned Companies, Replace In-kind Subsidies with Cash

Headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Plans to List More State-owned Companies, Replace In-kind Subsidies with Cash

Headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in downtown Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt aims to list four to five state-owned companies on the Cairo stock exchange before the end of the year as part of its state asset sales strategy, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Thursday.

The government also plans to shift from in-kind subsidies to cash subsidies during the coming financial year, as part of efforts to improve the targeting of social support, Madbouly said at a press conference, Reuters reported.

It does not aim to reduce the monetary value of subsidies but rather ensure they reach those entitled to receive them, he added.

More than 60 million people receive subsidised essential commodities through state-run outlets, while at least 10 million others benefit from subsidised bread.