MEXICO CITY: The leaders of Canada and Mexico stuck to their upbeat view on the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement on Thursday, despite US President Donald Trump’s threats to axe it.
Visiting Mexico on the heels of a tense trip to Washington, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau downplayed Trump’s attacks on NAFTA as part and parcel of the negotiations on updating the 23-year-old accord.
“We will not be walking away from the table based on proposals put forward,” he said when asked about the Trump administration’s push to include a “sunset clause” requiring the three member countries to unanimously renew the deal every five years.
“We will discuss those proposals, we will counter those proposals and we will take seriously these negotiations,” he told a press conference at the presidential palace after being welcomed with military honors.
Speaking alongside him, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto insisted the deal remained vital to the region’s economies, despite Trump’s repeated NAFTA bashing.
But he said Mexico would not be pushed around.
“Mexico is betting on achieving a good agreement. But it will have to be a positive agreement, and good for all three sides, not just one. We won’t be hostage to a single point of view,” he said.
The comments came as negotiators from the three countries meet in the United States for their latest round of what Trump vowed would be tough talks on a new version of NAFTA.
Trump has put both Mexico and Canada on the defensive over trade, accusing the former of taking American jobs and the latter of unfair subsidies, and wants to either overhaul or “terminate” NAFTA.
His administration has land-mined the renegotiation he triggered with controversial proposals, including tightening the “rules of origin” to demand certain amounts of American-made content in products, scrapping NAFTA’s dispute resolution mechanism and the “sunset clause.”
Trade was a touchy subject during Trudeau’s visit to Washington, after the US slapped a 220 percent retaliatory duty on Canadian planemaker Bombardier’s CS100 and CS300 aircraft over dumping allegations.
Trudeau in turn threatened to cancel a purchase of 18 fighter jets from American aerospace giant Boeing, saying he had told Trump he “disagreed vehemently” with the US decision.
Making his first official visit to Mexico, the prime minister appeared to be looking for a friendly ear in Pena Nieto, himself no stranger to hostility from the Trump administration.
Despite their common ground, however, Canada and Mexico are also at odds on some key issues.
Canada, which shares Washington’s concern over competition from cheap Mexican labor, is notably pushing for Mexico to improve workers’ wages under the new NAFTA — something the Pena Nieto administration says should be determined by the market, not dictated by a trade deal.
Pena Nieto sought to send a message that Mexico and Canada are better off working together as they forge ahead in the delicate negotiations with the giant and sometimes grumpy neighbor they both share.
“Canada and Mexico are going through one of the best moments of our relationship,” he wrote in an op-ed published in Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail.
“The government of Mexico will keep working constructively with Canada to further strengthen our relations, achieve mutual benefits and contribute to reaching our shared goal: to make North America the most prosperous and competitive region in the world.”
Canada, Mexico stick to NAFTA guns despite Trump threats
Canada, Mexico stick to NAFTA guns despite Trump threats
How AI will unlock billions of dollars in economic value for Saudi health sector
- AI and machine learning are revolutionizing patient outcomes and healthcare service efficiency
- Integration of AI in medical administration to revolutionize resource allocation, optimize hospital operations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s health-tech sector is undergoing substantial transformation driven by artificial intelligence, promising significant economic and operational benefits.
A McKinsey & Co. analysis forecasts that by 2030 AI could unlock $15 to $27 billion in economic value for the Kingdom’s medical sector.
This can be achieved by automating up to 40 percent of healthcare tasks, enhancing efficiency and reducing manual workload.
Such advancements align with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to emerge as a regional technology hub, with the medical sector being a key division benefiting from this digital transition.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has highlighted the potential of this revolution, and is quoted as saying: “We are living in a time of scientific innovation, unprecedented technology, and unlimited growth prospects. These new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, if used optimally, can spare the world many disadvantages and can bring enormous benefits to the world.”
Time of transformation
In a recent interview with Arab News, Nadine Hachach-Haram, a surgeon and co-founder of the health-tech platform Proximie, shared her observations about the transformative applications of AI. She said this could be used for enhancing patient safety, communication, and service efficiency across Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector.
“AI use allows the automation of necessary but time-consuming and tedious administrative processes,” Hachach-Haram said. “AI implementation will help minimize errors, optimize efficiency, revolutionize patient care, and improve global healthcare accessibility.”
She also underscored the government’s approach to fostering AI, including initiatives such as the National Data Bank and cloud infrastructure to support public and private sector collaboration.
Hachach-Haram explained that AI and machine learning are revolutionizing patient outcomes and healthcare service efficiency in the Kingdom as the nation embraces these technologies to align with the Saudi Health Sector Transformation Program.
This undertaking is a pivotal element of the Ministry of Health’s strategy under Vision 2030, which aims to enhance medical care access and modernize facilities to ensure the well-being of the populace.
Proximie, a global healthcare platform, is at the forefront of this shift, playing a critical role in the SEHA Virtual Hospital’s efforts to overcome geographical constraints, enhance patient safety, and facilitate the sharing of medical expertise across Saudi Arabia.
Hachach-Haram highlighted the use of AI in a medical setting. “The hospital utilizes AI to triage caseloads and employs the latest imaging technologies to aid in remote scan interpretations.”
This evidence demonstrates tangible benefits, with Proximie instrumental in supporting cardiology surgeries at regional hospitals, thereby minimizing the need for patient referrals and travel, Hachach-Haram said.
“The hospital has the capacity to treat over 400,000 patients a year. It uses AI to triage caseloads and makes the latest imaging technologies available to support the interpretation of scans remotely,” she added.
She shared a poignant illustration of this impact in the case of Noura Saleh, 70, from Tabuk, who required urgent surgery following stroke-induced heart failure.
The operation was successfully executed at a local hospital, with the SEHA Virtual Hospital’s cardiology team providing remote guidance through Proximie.
Hachach-Haram said: “It’s a great example of how distance is no longer an obstacle to receiving the best care promptly.”
Improved access and care
Speaking to Arab News, Rania Kadry, co-founder of the Egyptian health-tech platform Almouneer, shared her prediction of the Kingdom’s transformation over the next decade.
Kadry envisions AI significantly impacting medical diagnostics, treatment planning, and personalized medicine in Saudi Arabia.
“This will lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced efficiency in healthcare delivery,” she said.
She added that AI-driven telemedicine platforms and remote-monitoring systems are expected to become more prevalent, particularly in rural areas, increasing access to healthcare services nationwide.
“Moreover, AI will continue to be integrated into healthcare administration processes, optimizing resource allocation, and improving overall healthcare management,” she added.
Hachach-Haram addressed a crucial aspect of AI in healthcare: patient trust and data privacy. She acknowledges the apprehension many patients feel about the use of their health data. However, she believes that proper communication about the benefits of healthcare innovation and knowledge-sharing might encourage patients to become proactive proponents of AI.
“Many patients are understandably nervous about the use of their sensitive health data, but if the benefits of healthcare innovation and knowledge-sharing are clearly explained, patients may embrace becoming ambassadors about the benefits of using and sharing data — helping the entire ecosystem,” she said.
Furthermore, the integration of AI in healthcare administration is predicted to revolutionize resource allocation and optimize hospital operations.
Kadry added: “One example could be the widespread implementation of AI-powered predictive analytics systems in Saudi Arabian hospitals.” This would leverage patient data to forecast healthcare needs and enhance service delivery, she added.
Kadry also underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to health tech and AI innovation, referencing Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plan to allocate 2.5 percent of its gross domestic product, approximately $16 billion by 2040, to research and development, with a focus on aging and chronic diseases.
“Can you imagine how much the country will progress under the young and progressive leadership?” She highlighted the launch of the Hevolution Foundation, a $20 billion Saudi Arabia initiative dedicated to advancing human health and extending life expectancy globally.
Despite being in its early stages, the utilization of AI technology holds immense potential to positively influence patient outcomes across the Arab world.
Rotana to double Saudi-based workforce to 5k employees as it expands offering
RIYADH: Rotana Hotels is planning on more than doubling its workforce in Saudi Arabia to 5,000 staff as it expands its outlets to 15, the company’s CEO has told Arab News.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, Philip Barnes highlighted the diverse nature of hotels in terms of size and staffing, indicating that the current portfolio in the Kingdom employs around 2,000 people.
He said that between eight and nine hotels are under development and set to open within the next two to three years, and the firm has “a number of others coming.”
Barnes expressed his desire to expand the company’s presence in various parts of Saudi Arabia, not just in the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah.
Reflecting on the increase in workforce needed, he said: “I think you’d be looking at 4,000 to 5,000 people by the time we get to that 15 hotel.
“It ranges between 200 to 300 people per property as we go forward depending on the size of the property.”
Rotana is seeking opportunities across a broader range of locations within Saudi Arabia, and Barnes believes that being a UAE-based company gives it an insight into the tourism landscape that other firms may lack.
“We see ourselves as being able to come into the Kingdom in a way that others can’t because we are recognized as that brand that is from the region. We can go into destinations that maybe aren’t the premier destinations as other people see them, everybody wants to be in Riyadh, everybody wants to be in Jeddah,” Barnes said.
He added: “We have a lot of things happening, but we have further developments coming online in Egypt over the course of the next two years. We’ve got more coming on board in Qatar.”
He also stated that the company is also exploring new territories, with recent moves into Pakistan, which Rotana views as a promising and emerging market
Additionally, he further explained the group’s plans for expansion by exploring opportunities in Eastern Europe, though not on a large scale. Turkiye is also a focus, with two hotels opened in the past year and more development expected.
“We’re also opening two hotels in London, not in central London. We’re opening one hotel in Kingston, which is a suburb of London, 20 minutes from downtown,” Barnes said.
He continued: “I personally am hoping that that will then be a springboard into six or seven or eight other Centros around the UK in places like Liverpool or Leeds or, Manchester etc. because I see it as being a brand that has tremendous legs, and we've already got a number of those properties here in this part of the world.”
Marriott International reveals that majority of its guests in Saudi Arabia are local
RIYADH: Marriott International has revealed that the majority of the hotel’s guests in Saudi Arabia are local, indicating the importance of internal tourism in the Kingdom.
Speaking in an interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the Future Hospitality Summit, taking place in Riyadh from April 29 to May 1, Chadi Hauch, the hotel’s regional vice president of development, explained that the local market has driven leisure tourism in Saudi Arabia.
“At this stage right now, obviously the majority of the guests are local, but you have to take into consideration as well that, in Saudi, tourism has been majorly local,” Hauch said.
He underscored that COVID-19 was a significant experience that opened the eyes of the Ministry of Tourism and the local Saudi market.
“During COVID-19, when the whole country closed down, the Saudis were super excited to visit their own countries. They were pushed within their own country because they needed to get out of the cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah and they started visiting secondary cities like Abha,” the VP said.
Consequently, Hauch added that this was when they noticed the nation had much more to offer.
“But obviously as the destination grows and obviously this is this is what the government is pushing for, we will definitely start seeing international travelers trying to visit these destinations that is trying to position itself kind of like a Maldives destination,” he said.
Hauch also explained that Marriott International currently has 38 open properties operating in the Kingdom and is planning for 40 more.
During the interview, the VP tackled how Marriott International Inc. and Al Qimmah Hospitality, a subsidiary of BinDawood Trading, signed an agreement to bring the JW Marriott brand to Jeddah.
Located on the Jeddah Corniche, the hotel is expected to become a prime destination for luxury-seeking travelers who desire a waterfront escape, he underlined.
“The beauty about this project is that it’s a mixed-use project that will have office space and will have retail. So, it’s quite a sizable project that will take a little bit of time. We expect hopefully to open in the next five to six years, depending on how fast the construction goes,” Hauch disclosed.
The VP also highlighted the announcement a few days earlier that the company had signed an agreement with NEOM to open its second Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Saudi Arabia.
The hotel will be located in Trojena, a year-round mountain destination situated in the country’s northwest region.
The resort is expected to feature 60 expansive one- to four-bedroom villas. Plans also include a spa, swimming pools, and multiple culinary venues.
Additionally, Hauch discussed how Marriott has two different main operating models.
“We either do management agreements or we do franchisee agreements. Usually when we do operate these hotels in these models, we don’t get involved in the investment of the hotel. Usually, it is the owner who develops the hotel, and it depends on the location and, positioning of the hotel. These construction costs vary; they vary quite a lot between a five-star, a three-star, four-star or the luxury positioning,” the VP emphasized.
More than 1,200 global investors are expected to have attended the FHS. The event, held at Al Faisaliah Hotel, focused on sustainable tourism and technology-driven hospitality under the theme, “Invest in Tomorrow: Today, Together.”
Valor Hospitality ventures into Saudi Arabia with luxury hotel in Abha
RIYADH: Abha, a city in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region, is poised to welcome its first luxury lifestyle hotel through an upcoming deal with American operator Valor Hospitality.
The company, which has overseen a portfolio of major brand hotels including Intercontinental, Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, Wyndham, and Hyatt, also aims to enter secondary and tertiary markets. While major brands concentrate on large-scale developments, Valor aims to cater to “outer regions.”
Speaking to Arab News at the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, Julien Bergue, the co-founder and managing partner of the company, highlighted that Valor has signed a deal to break ground on a “very different” upscale property in Abha, with details to be announced within a month.
Bergue said: “Saudi Arabia is a very specific market. We’re very excited about Saudi Arabia. We’ve been excited about it for five years. We’re watching, we’re learning. We signed our first property in Abha in the Asir region. I’m very proud of it. But we will make it public in about a month’s time; it is the first lifestyle hotel in Abha.”
Expressing excitement about the deal, he called it a “great asset, with a very great owner as well.”
“We’re excited about it. Our plans in Saudi Arabia is to tackle secondary and tertiary regions at the moment. While all the big brands are very focused on mega developments, we are helping now the outer region,” he added.
The company’s future plans in the Kingdom also include collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Investment Fund to “see how we can position better investment throughout the secondary tertiary region.”
This includes rolling out a training academy for young Saudis in the sector, the executive said, with plans to launch within the next year and a half.
The academy will leverage the operator’s expertise to bridge the gap between the upcoming surge in the hospitality industry and the human capital needed to fulfill those goals.
“In a year and a half, we should be ready to roll out the academy here with a much deeper structure behind it. This is super important for the ecosystem of our own business in Saudi Arabia and for the other players in the space. So, it's a very good initiative,” he said.
The executive revealed that they are planning to implement shorter programs. “So we are not aiming toward management training. We are going to really aim toward technical training skills, such as housekeeping and other core stuff required for running operations.”
This training program aims to enroll a thousand participants every month through an “aggressive short-term program.”
By 2030, Valor’s ultimate goal is to manage properties with 6,000 to 7,000 keys under their management.
Saudi airports awarded customer experience accreditation, elevating travel services
RIYADH: Customer service offerings at 16 Saudi airports have been recognized with a prestigious global award.
The Airports Council International’s Customer Experience Accreditation for 2024 has recognized facilities operated by the Kingdom’s Cluster2 Airports Co., which include Abha International Airport, Al-Jouf Airport, and Al-Qurayyat Airport.
Additionally, they consist of Bisha Airport, Dawadmi Airport, and Hail International Airport, as well as King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport, King Saud bin Abdulaziz Airport, and Najran Airport.
“This accomplishment is not merely a testament to the quality and efficiency that we deliver; it also underscores our persistent dedication to enhancing the journey of each customer who passes through our gates,” the company said in an X post.
The ACEA program assists airports in enhancing customer experience management by guiding them through a comprehensive review and training process, which emphasizes stakeholder and employee engagement, as well as staff development, according to its website.
Other airports to receive this accreditation include Prince Abdul Mohsen bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Airport, and Rafha Airport.
Moreover, they include Sharurah Airport, Taif International Airport, Turaif Airport, and Wadi Al-Dawasir Airport.
The achievement of these airbases is a testament to the robust support and consistent oversight provided by the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the company, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
These airports have been acknowledged by ACI for their ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional services for travelers.
Ali Masrahi, CEO of Cluster2 Airports Co., expressed his satisfaction with this achievement, emphasizing the company’s focus on three key areas: understanding customer needs, strategic planning tailored to traveler requirements, and continuous improvement through monitoring key performance indicators across all aspects of the passenger.
Masrahi emphasized his company’s dedication to excellence and improving the airport travel experience.
The company added in its post that three of its airports received the same accreditation in 2023: “Today, we are proud to witness this number grow to encompass more of our airports, marking a remarkable achievement that underscores the progress and development we aim to accomplish.”
The firm further explained that obtaining accreditations from the ACI is the outcome of the team’s persistent efforts and unwavering dedication to ensuring an unforgettable travel experience.
ACI’s first Asia-Pacific and Middle East office was inaugurated in Riyadh in September 2023. Saudi Arabia’s Transport Minister and General Authority of Civil Aviation Chairman Saleh Al-Jasser, dignitaries and top officials from 49 countries attended the event.
ACI is an organization of airport authorities that aims to unite industry practices for airport standards by working with governments, regional members, experts, and international groups.
