As many as 350 Saudi contractors have urged Saudi Aramco to give them a chance to participate in the project of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for establishing 11 new stadiums across the Kingdom.
Saudi Aramco welcomed the contractors’ request and specified the areas where they can compete. It invited them to register their companies’ data on the designated website in order to test their competence and potentials.
At the same time, the National Committee for Contractors in Saudi Arabia announced that it has been assured by Saudi Aramco that Saudi contractors would be given a chance to make their contributions to the project.
The committee has confirmed that national contractors will find a favorable climate for success and achievement under the supervision of Saudi Aramco. This will qualify them to have a pivotal role in the construction process according to the required specifications.
About 800 people, including more than 350 Saudi contractors, participated in the meeting held by Saudi Aramco at the Asharqia Chamber to present the requirements of the king’s project.
Abdul Rahman Al-Otaishan, chairman of the chamber, expressed his happiness over Saudi Aramco being given the task of implementing the project. He said the company enjoyed high potential and would implement the project according to the highest technical specifications.
Motaz Al-Mashouq of Saudi Aramco said the company was proud of being assigned the task. “The project will contribute to the development of sport and youth in Saudi Arabia. We are committed to complete it in two years according to the highest international standards and specifications.”
He indicated that each of the 11 stadiums will accommodate about 45,000 spectators.
Al-Mashouq said: “Chances are open for all contractors to participate in the implementation of the project, especially that our relationship with them is getting stronger and stronger with time.”
“The projects implemented last year in the construction sector under the supervision of Saudi Aramco and executed by national contractors amounted to more than SR23 billion,” he added.
Meanwhile, the value of purchasing services that were awarded to national companies reached more than SR114 billion.
“Implementing the project of stadiums will create 10,000 jobs for Saudi youth in the construction sector,” Al-Mashouq added.
Ibrahim Al-Mowalad, project engineer at Saudi Aramco, confirmed that work offers are available for all contracting companies and Saudi consultancy offices that can carry out basic projects such as mechanical work, electrical works, sewage networks and civil work.
In addition, there will be offers for contractors who work with low-voltage systems, as also for contractors for external enclosures and steel structures, interior designs, asphalt, natural grass and tests on soil quality, processing sites, infrastructure, temporary facilities, staff housing as well as preparing offices, and security and safety services during the work on the project,” he added.
Al-Mowalad hinted that Saudi Aramco will secure needed materials for the project according to certain specifications.
Al-Mowalad gave details of work stages, the location of stadiums and time frame. “The project’s implementation time is two years according to global designs that simulates Al-Jawhra stadium at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. The designs will go along the culture and the environment of each region,” he said.
“Specialized competent authorities will supply the necessary sites with necessary basic services such as water, bridges, roads, electricity, sewerage network and communications, which will offer more work opportunities for national contracting companies and consulting offices,” he added.
Al-Mowalad said that the stage of planning and initial designs will take between 3 to 6 months while the implementation phase will take 18 to 21 months. The construction process for the 11 stadiums will run simultaneously.
Saudi Aramco, in collaboration with local universities, will choose the designs that are compatible with the culture and history of each region that hosts one of the new stadiums.
Saeed Al-Ghamdi, representative of the contracts management at Saudi Aramco, invited Saudi contractors who would like to take part in the project to register their companies’ data on the website allocated for this purpose.
Al-Ghamdi explained the mechanism of registering on the designated website. Any contractor will be able to access the site, and know the specifications and conditions after fulfilling all the conditions and requirements of registration,” Al-Ghamdi added.
Saudi contractors want a slice of stadium pie
Saudi contractors want a slice of stadium pie
Umm Al-Qura University clinches top award
- The recognition aligns with the university’s Strategic Plan 2027 objectives
- The project aims to revolutionize education for faculty, students and administrative staff
MAKKAH: Umm Al-Qura University won the Best Educational Experience prize at the 2025 Saudi Customer Experience Awards.
Presented through a collaboration between the CX Forum, the Saudi CX Association and Awards International, the award recognizes the university’s excellence in enhancing the student experience and fostering an exceptional learning environment that adheres to global quality benchmarks.
The recognition aligns with the university’s Strategic Plan 2027 objectives, particularly in advancing teaching and learning initiatives. Central to the success is the Comprehensive Experience Project inaugurated by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of Makkah Region. The project aims to revolutionize education for faculty, students and administrative staff.
The Saudi Customer Experience Awards stand as a premier platform for recognizing excellence in customer-centric innovations across the Kingdom’s various sectors.
Saudi jets fly solo at Bahrain airshow
- Two Typhoon jets performed solo aerial maneuvers
- An F-15SA aircraft in 24th Saudi National Day colors delivered a ground display
MANAMA: Aerial displays by the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Saudi Falcons Aerobatic Team thrilled audiences on Friday at the Bahrain International Airshow.
Two Typhoon jets performed solo aerial maneuvers, while an F-15SA aircraft in 24th Saudi National Day colors delivered a ground display.
The airshow at the Sakhir Air Base highlights the latest military technologies and the capabilities of the participating forces, while promoting cooperation between the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Royal Bahraini Air Force.
More than 125 types of aircraft were featured in the two-day show, which ended on Friday. Audiences were able to see the latest innovations and technologies in the aviation sector.
French, Saudi officials meet in Paris to advance AlUla development initiative
- Focus of discussions was on assessing state of Franco-Saudi partnership and defining future direction for AlUla’s development
PARIS: French and Saudi officials gathered in Paris on Friday at the French foreign ministry for discussions about advancing the AlUla development initiative.
The AlUla Committee, a joint initiative established under an intergovernmental agreement signed in April 2018, is the coordinating body for a range of ambitious projects being carried out by the Kingdom and France.
The projects focus on cultural preservation, tourism enhancement, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla region. The committee’s mandate includes overseeing the implementation and monitoring of the comprehensive 2018 accord, aimed at fostering broad-based progress in the area.
The French delegation at the meeting included senior figures from the ministries of European affairs and foreign relations, economy, and culture.
On the Saudi side, high-ranking officials from the culture, foreign, and investment ministries participated, along with representatives such as the president of the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) and the chairperson of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).
French ministers Jean-Noel Barrot and Rachida Dati met with Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s culture minister, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Khaled Al-Faleh, investment minister.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, executive president of AFALULA, and Abeer Al-Akel, acting CEO of the RCU, also took part in the meeting.
The focus of the discussions was on assessing the state of the Franco-Saudi partnership and defining the future direction for AlUla’s development.
Participants reviewed collaborative projects that draw on French expertise, particularly in archaeological research — highlighted by the involvement of 120 French archaeologists and researchers in the region. Other focal points included cultural initiatives such as the Villa Hegra project, as well as advances in hospitality, transport and infrastructure.
Additionally, the meeting addressed the French Heritage Endowment Fund, which was established as part of the 2018 agreement, and reinforced its continued commitment to supporting heritage conservation and cultural initiatives tied to AlUla’s unique historical significance.
Pediatric neurology conference to draw top health experts to Riyadh
- Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society conference and workshops will be held from Nov. 20-23
RIYADH: The 9th Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society conference and workshops will be held from Nov. 20-23 at the Crowne Plaza RDC in Riyadh.
The SPNS, established in 2012, is an official non-profit scientific association under the auspices of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
This year’s conference promises insights into various topics, including neonatal neurology, spinal muscular atrophy, neuro inflammatory disorders, neuromuscular diseases, brain and spinal injuries and infections, epilepsy, brain and spinal tumors, cerebrovascular disease, autism, movement disorders, and metabolic and genetic disorders.
Top healthcare officials, dignitaries, industry leaders, analysts and other experts will participate.
Fahad Al-Bashiri, president of SPNS and a professor and consultant pediatric neurologist at the College of Medicine, King Saud University, will share pivotal insights on the opening day of the event with two presentations addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the field.
The first presentation will cover findings from a recent clinical trial examining the role of vitamin D in managing epilepsy. This research explores how vitamin D supplementation may influence seizure frequency and severity, potentially offering a new approach to epilepsy care.
The second presentation will focus on the newly developed Gulf Cooperation Council guidelines for managing Neurofibromatosis Type 1. This talk will discuss the standardized approach proposed for the region, aiming to optimize patient care and outcomes for individuals with NF1.
Dr. Ahmad Alanazi, chairman of the conference and an assistant professor, pediatric neurologist and epileptologist at the College of Medicine, KSU, said: “I am honoured to lead a forum where leading experts will address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in pediatric neurology.
“This year’s conference will spotlight transformative advancements, including the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in diagnosing and managing epilepsy and neurorehabilitation, signaling a new era in precision care.”
He added: “The SPNS conference remains a premier platform for advancing pediatric neurology, fostering collaboration, and setting new standards of care for young patients in the Kingdom and beyond.”
Asir historic landmark among UN best tourism villages
RIYADH: A landmark location in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region has been selected by UN Tourism as one if its best tourism villages 2024.
Abo Noghta and historic Tabab was chosen for its rich heritage, including ancient castles and forts.
The location was named alongside 54 other rural villages worldwide under the theme of “Rural Communities Shaping the Future of Sustainable Travel.”
In a statement, UN Tourism said that the Abo Noghta community has displayed a commitment to eco-friendly renovation techniques by recycling old materials, setting a remarkable standard for sustainable restoration across Asir.
This innovative approach has created new opportunities for the community to flourish, it added.
Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism secretary-general, said that tourism can help rural communities to protect and value their rich cultural heritage while driving sustainable development.
“By leveraging their unique assets, these communities can foster economic growth, promote local traditions, and enhance the quality of life for their residents. We celebrate the villages that have embraced tourism as a pathway to empowerment and community well-being,” he said.
With a legacy of thousands of years in agriculture, Abo Noghta cultivates a diverse range of crops, from wheat and corn to fruit and vegetables. The community also excels in cattle rearing, making it a center for traditional and sustainable farming practices.
To preserve seeds for future planting, Abo Noghta employs a centuries-old technique that involves creating rock structures of varying depths known as “Al-mdafin.” These natural, cool storage spaces protect the seeds, ensuring they remain fresh and ready for the next season.
The best tourism village initiative resulted in 260 applications from more than 60 UN Tourism member states.
The initiative is part of UN Tourism’s rural development program aimed at encouraging development in rural areas, as well as combating depopulation and encouraging sustainable practices.
Previously, the villages were evaluated under nine key areas: cultural and natural resources; promotion and conservation of cultural resources; economic sustainability; social sustainability; environmental sustainability; tourism development and value chain integration; governance and prioritization of tourism; infrastructure and connectivity; and health, safety, and security.
