Russia to grant 300 entry visas for five years to Saudi business owners

A photo taken on November 16, 2018 shows the Kremlin and central Moscow at sunset. (AFP / Mladen Antonov)
Updated 22 November 2018
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Russia to grant 300 entry visas for five years to Saudi business owners

  • Russia has invited Saudi investors to participate in the 5th international Exhibition Arabia-EXPO in Moscow on April 8-10, 2019

RIYADH: In a major boost to enhance economic cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia, Russia will grant 300 entry visas for five years to Saudi business owners and companies, the Russian-Arab Business Council has announced.

The announcement was made during the meeting at the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) between Sami Al-Obaidy, chairperson of CSC, with Tatiana Gvilava, director of the Russian-Arab Business Council.

On reciprocating those visas, Gvilava expressed the hope that there would be a similar step from the Saudi side to grant Russian employers multiple visas to explore investment opportunities in the Kingdom and to establish business partnerships with their fellow Saudi employers.

Gvilava praised the efforts of the Russian-Arab Business Council, which works under the umbrella of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote trade relations between Russia and the Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.

Al-Obaidy praised the strong relations between the Kingdom and Russia, which are witnessing significant progress, and stressed their keenness to activate the Joint Business Council in order to benefit from the investment opportunities available in both countries.

During the meeting, the Russian side also invited Saudi investors and the business community to participate in the 5th international exhibition Arabia-EXPO, to be held in Moscow on April 8-10, 2019, and to enter into partnerships with their Russian counterparts for better coordination.

Gvilava noted that the exhibition aims to promote trade and economic cooperation between Russia and the Arab world, in addition to shedding light on investment opportunities and areas of trade partnership between the two sides.

 

 


18,000 personnel mobilized in Makkah, Madinah as itikaf begins

Updated 09 March 2026
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18,000 personnel mobilized in Makkah, Madinah as itikaf begins

  • Worshipers who completed registration and obtained permits have started performing the ritual of itikaf at the Prophet’s Mosque
  • General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has provided a range of services

JEDDAH: More than 18,000 personnel and nearly 6,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment have been deployed across Makkah and Madinah as authorities intensify preparations for the final 10 days of Ramadan, while worshipers began observing itikaf at the Prophet’s Mosque.

Worshipers who completed registration and obtained permits have started performing the ritual of itikaf at the Prophet’s Mosque, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has provided a range of services, including guidance, organization, healthcare, translation, hospitality and essential supplies to ensure a comfortable and spiritually enriching experience.

Field teams have also been deployed to manage entry and exit points, and oversee service delivery so worshippers can dedicate themselves fully to prayer and reflection.

Meanwhile, the Madinah Municipality has intensified efforts to provide services to visitors at the Prophet’s Mosque and other major mosques across the city.

More than 5,700 personnel, 1,230 operational vehicles and pieces of equipment have been mobilized to support municipal services during the busy period.

The operational plan focuses on improving facility cleaning and environmental sanitation, strengthening infrastructure services, and intensifying inspections of commercial and food establishments to ensure compliance with health standards and product safety.

Electronic platforms have also been activated to enhance monitoring and speed up responses to municipal service reports.

Authorities are also conducting field campaigns to combat commercial fraud and regulate street vendors as visitor numbers rise in the city.

Through these plans, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has raised municipal readiness to provide services for Umrah performers and visitors, and enable them to perform their rituals in a safe and organized environment.

In Makkah, the municipality has deployed more than 13,000 personnel working round the clock to support cleaning and operational activities in the central area, and around the Grand Mosque.

Five parking areas with a capacity of more than 42,000 vehicles have also been prepared to ease access to the Grand Mosque and reduce congestion.