Israeli casualties in a bomb explosion at the border fence with Rafah in Gaza
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Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector thrives with $39bn in projects, record investment growth
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s real estate regulatory framework spurred significant growth in 2024, with 192 project licenses issued, totaling SR147 billion ($39 billion), according to a top official.
During the opening remarks of the fourth Real Estate Future Forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid Al-Hogail said that the General Authority for Real Estate initiatives aims to enhance market transparency, attract investment, and regulate off-plan developments.
“The regulatory framework has contributed to significant growth over the past year, with the issuance of 192 licenses for projects exceeding a total value of 147 billion riyals, equivalent to $39 billion,” Al-Hogail said.
He added: “With the launch of real estate legislative initiatives, we have seen growth across all relevant fields. This regulatory framework aims to facilitate and regulate off-plan real estate project development provisions, from the licensing process to project completion.”
The forum is a unique platform uniting investors, consultants, and decision-makers from 120 countries under one umbrella.
It features over 500 speakers from both the public and private sectors, aiming to not only discuss the future of real estate but also shape a clear, unified vision that reflects shared ambitions and aspirations.
“The forum creates international high-quality opportunities to explore our real estate sector and enhance the quality of life, based on sustainable cities equipped with services that meet the expectations of residents in the Kingdom,” Al-Hogail said.
He added: “We are committed to continuing our efforts to ensure the sustainability of the real estate sector, attracting more international investments while creating a highly regulated environment that turns challenges into opportunities.”
Al-Hogail said that Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector has evolved from traditional urban development to become a key driver of both economic and social progress, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.
“We are at a crossroads where experience, innovation, and agility converge, turning dreams into reality. Our message to investors and innovators is clear — that the Kingdom is not just a place inclusive to project,” he said.
The minister also said that over the past several years, more than 20 key real estate regulations have been introduced by the General Authority for Real Estate, enhancing market transparency, attractiveness, and authenticity.
“These regulations have positioned the Saudi real estate market as one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, as highlighted in the 2024 Global Real Estate Transparency Index report,” Al-Hogail said.
Abdullah Al-Hammad, CEO of the Real Estate General Authority, said that the real estate sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product reached 12 percent, reflecting its growing importance in the national economy.
“The real estate sector achieved the highest participation rate in the labor market, with 25 percent of the participants in the social insurance system,” Al-Hammad said, emphasizing the sector’s role in employment generation and economic diversification.
He also said that more than 1130 licenses for foreign real estate investments were issued during the third quarter of 2024, demonstrating increased international interest in the Saudi market.
The first day of the event included announcements including the National Housing Company launching its new technology-focused company, NHC Innovation, to provide innovative real estate and municipal solutions and develop new technologies that meet market aspirations.
Announced by the CEO of NHC Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Buti, the new company will serve as an innovative technological arm, utilizing the latest technologies and best practices to develop solutions that contribute to sustainable growth.
The strategic expansion represents a significant move toward delivering technological solutions that meet market ambitions and enhance excellence and competitiveness in the real estate and municipal sectors.
NHC Innovation is set to develop and operate more than 400 services across 10 digital real estate platforms, serving over 19 million users.
These platforms include Sakani, Balady, Ejar, Forsah, and others, offering smart and advanced solutions to enable digital transformation in the real estate and municipal sectors.
The company focuses on providing innovative services that cater to evolving market needs while emphasizing sustainability and technological advancement.
This aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation strategy, positioning the Kingdom as a global hub that supports competitiveness in the technology sector.
The minister of municipalities and housing, the minister of industry and mineral resources, and the CEO of NHC participated in the signing ceremonies of agreements between the company and government entities and the private sector, with a total value of approximately SR30 billion.
One of the agreements is a memorandum of understanding signed between Asir Region Municipality and AMEK Group in tourism creation and adventures for up to SR600 million.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources also signed an MoU to collaborate on supply chains and industrial link programs to support and lead local content in the real estate development sector
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology also signed an MoU, in cooperation with Al Saif Company which focuses on collaboration in developing construction and building using off-site construction technologies.
The NHC signed supply chain service agreements with several real estate development companies to enhance the success of real estate development projects and ensure the sustainability of quality and efficiency.
The company also signed an open purchase agreement with Zamil Air Conditioners Factory and Alfanar Construction Systems, to secure supply chains for air conditioning works, and ensure a steady supply for construction needs.
The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reforms have positioned the country as a leader in real estate development, combining innovation, sustainability, and economic growth.
Pakistan to issue red notices for human traffickers in bid to curb practice
- Development comes days after a boat capsized near Morocco on Jan. 15 while carrying 66 Pakistanis among 86 migrants
- The tragedy once again underscored the perilous journeys many migrants embark on due to conflict, instability at home
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday ordered authorities to issue red notices for human traffickers in order to curb the illegal practice, Pakistani state media reported, days after a migrant boat carrying over 60 Pakistanis capsized near Morocco.
The boat capsized near Morocco’s coast on Jan. 15 while carrying 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistanis, according to migrant rights group Walking Borders. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said last week that it was in process of repatriating 22 survivors of the tragedy.
The Morocco tragedy has once again underscored the perilous journeys many migrants, including Pakistanis, embark on due to conflict and economic instability in their home countries.
PM Sharif gave the orders to issue red notices for human traffickers at the first meeting of a task force he formed last week to curb human smuggling, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The prime minister instructed the FIA [Federal Investigation Agency] to provide the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the information gathered during investigations to facilitate the swift extradition of human traffickers,” the report read.
A red notice is a request from a member country of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to other member states to locate and arrest a person to extradite them to face criminal charges.
The Morocco tragedy is not the first one involving Pakistani migrants in recent years.
In 2023, hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, drowned when an overcrowded vessel sank in international waters off the southwestern Greek town of Pylos, marking one of the deadliest boat disasters ever recorded in the Mediterranean Sea. More recently, five Pakistani nationals died in a shipwreck off the southern Greek island of Gavdos on Dec. 14.
The Pakistani government has ramped up efforts in recent months to combat human smugglers facilitating dangerous journeys for illegal immigrants to Europe, resulting in several arrests. PM Sharif has also urged increased collaboration with international agencies like Interpol to ensure swift action against human trafficking networks.
“Complete eradication of human trafficking can only be achieved through the collective efforts and cooperation of all institutions,” Sharif told officials at Monday’s meeting.
Riyadh Air secures license for advanced flight simulator
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air has obtained a General Authority of Civil Aviation license for its first Boeing 787-9 full-flight simulator, a key step in its preparations for a 2025 operational launch.
The device, aimed at enhancing pilot training and safety standards, is a major addition to Riyadh Air’s training infrastructure.
This comes as Saudi Arabia aims to become a regional aviation hub, aligning with Vision 2030 goals to expand annual passenger capacity to 330 million, increase air cargo volumes to 4.5 million tonnes, and connect to 250 global destinations by the end of the decade.
Peter Bellew, chief operating officer at Riyadh Air, said: “This milestone underscores our commitment to world-class pilot training and operational excellence. The advanced simulator will enhance our pilots’ capabilities, aligning with Riyadh Air’s ambition to redefine aviation standards and deliver a next-level flying experience.”
He added: “We will continue investing in cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency, safety, and excellence across our operations.”
Captain Sulaiman Al-Muhaimedi, GACA’s executive vice president for aviation safety and environmental sustainability, presented the operational certificate to Bellew during a ceremony.
Riyadh Air, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in March 2023, completed its first non-commercial flight from Riyadh to Jeddah for certification on Sept. 12.
Jakarta NGO to rebuild Indonesian hospital as Palestinians return to north Gaza
- Indonesia Hospital in North Gaza was opened in 2015, built from donations of the Indonesian people
- It was a frequent target of Israeli forces, who accused the facility of sheltering Palestinian armed groups
JAKARTA: A Jakarta-based nongovernmental organization has committed to rebuilding the Indonesia Hospital in northern Gaza as Palestinians began returning to the area on Monday.
The Indonesia Hospital in Beit Lahiya, funded by the Indonesian NGO Medical Emergency Rescue Committee, was one of the first targets hit when Israel began its assault on Gaza in October 2023.
As relentless Israeli attacks pushed the enclave’s healthcare system to the brink of collapse, the Indonesia Hospital had stood as one of the last functioning health facilities in the north.
“Since the war started, the Indonesia Hospital has served as one of the main healthcare centers for residents of Gaza in the north. It has been attacked multiple times, damaging parts of the building itself and also various health equipment,” Sarbini Abdul Murad, chairman of MER-C’s board of trustees in Jakarta, told Arab News on Monday.
“We need to rebuild and fill it up with all the necessary health equipment … It is our moral commitment to rebuilding the hospital.”
Israel has frequently targeted medical facilities in the Gaza Strip, saying that they are used by Palestinian armed groups.
The Indonesia Hospital opened in 2015 and was officially inaugurated by the country’s then-Vice President Jusuf Kalla in 2016.
The four-story general hospital stands on a 16,200 sq. meter plot of land near the Jabalia refugee camp in North Gaza, donated by the local government in 2009.
The hospital’s construction and equipment were financed from donations of the Asia nation’s people, as well as organizations including the Indonesian Red Cross Society.
Since it opened almost a decade ago, MER-C continued to send volunteers to help. A couple of them stayed in Gaza until late last year, as MER-C also sent medical volunteers to the besieged enclave since March as part of a larger emergency deployment led by the World Health Organization.
The Indonesia Hospital was treating about 1,000 people at one point during Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 47,300 people and injured over 111,000.
“Many Indonesians are looking forward for the Indonesia Hospital to return to normal operations again, and this is the trust that MER-C keeps close because the hospital is a symbol of unity between Indonesians and Palestinians,” Murad said.
“Healthcare is an urgent need for Palestinians, so we want to offer our support here in our field of expertise.”
Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to the remains of their destroyed homes in north Gaza on Monday, after Israel opened the Netzarim corridor, a 7 km strip of land controlled by Israeli forces that cuts off the enclave’s north from the rest of the territory.
“We hope Israel will continue to give access for Gaza residents to return to their homes in the north peacefully and not breach the ceasefire agreement in any way,” Murad said.
Fighting for Morocco: Ilias Ennahachi aims for bantamweight glory
RIYADH: Morocco’s former ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Ilias Ennahachi is preparing to face former bantamweight champ Petchtanong Petchfergus at ONE 171: Qatar, presented by Visit Qatar.
The fight is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha and victory could secure Ennahachi the coveted No. 1 contender spot for the bantamweight title.
“Winning this fight means everything to me: It’s for the fans, my country, and my future,” he said.
Having already made his mark as a flyweight champion, Ennahachi is determined to dominate a second division and establish himself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in ONE Championship history. “I’m ranked No. 2 now, so if I win this fight, I believe I’ll get the title shot next,” he said.
Beyond the fight itself, Ennahachi acknowledges the significance of being an Arab competing in Qatar. “Fighting in an Arab country feels special,” he said. “It’s like fighting at home. Events like this inspire young fighters in the region to dream big and show them that they can reach the highest levels of martial arts.”
Despite the competitive nature of the bout, Ennahachi and Petchtanong respect each other.
“We’ve talked a lot on Instagram,” the Moroccan said of his Thai opponent. “He’s a great guy and very respectful, but inside the ring, it’s business. I’ve studied his strengths and weaknesses, and I’m ready to capitalize on them.”
Facing an experienced southpaw has required a focused and tailored approach from Ennahachi.
“I’ve been sparring a lot with southpaw partners to familiarize myself with his angles and movements. His boxing isn’t his strongest asset, and I’ve been working to exploit that. Cardio is everything in a fight like this, and I’ve been pushing myself to the limit to ensure I can maintain pressure for the entire fight.”
Speaking from the Netherlands before his trip to Qatar, Ennahachi is taking added inspiration from Morocco’s historic World Cup run in the country three years ago. “Watching Morocco make history brought so much pride to the country,” he said. “Moments like that push you to perform at your best and show the world what you’re capable of.”
That same determination fuels Ennahachi as he balances his career with his responsibilities as a father and mentor to troubled young people in the Netherlands. “Everything I do is for my family and my community,” he said. “It motivates me to push harder every day.”
With martial arts growing in popularity in the Middle East, Ennahachi sees this as a chance to inspire others. “ONE Championship is one of the biggest martial arts organizations in the world, and having events in Qatar shows the potential for the sport to grow in the region. This is about creating role models and showing aspiring fighters that they can achieve their dreams.”
When he steps into the Lusail Sports Arena, Ilias Ennahachi will be ready to prove why he belongs at the top, driven by a desire to create a legacy that will inspire Arab fighters and fans worldwide.
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