RIYADH: The Saudi Cabinet on Tuesday approved the granting of a license to Bank of China to operate in the Kingdom and authorized the finance minister to decide on any request to open more branches.
King Salman chaired the weekly Cabinet session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh during which the Ministry of Culture was also authorized to supervise the National Museum at King Abdul Aziz Historical Center. The culture minister was authorized to form the museum’s board of trustees.
In a statement issued to the Saudi Press Agency, Media Minister Turki Al-Shabanah said that the Cabinet reviewed the latest regional and international developments. The ministers reiterated Saudi Arabia’s call to work for regional security and peace.
The Cabinet discussed the situation in Iraq and called on the international community to take the necessary measures to de-escalate the situation in the greater interest of the region.
The ministers condemned Turkish interference and military escalation in Libya. They said that the Turkish action violated international principles and covenants but it was also against the position adopted by the Arab League in December 2019.
Saudi Arabia grants license to Bank of China
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Saudi Arabia grants license to Bank of China
- The Cabinet discussed the situation in Iraq and called on the international community to take the necessary measures to de-escalate the situation in the greater interest of the region
Saudi Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent over contract violations
- Company failed to provide accommodation for a number of Umrah pilgrims, despite these services being documented in the contractual programs, ministry says
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday announced the suspension of an Umrah company and its overseas agent for failing to provide accommodation services for pilgrims in line with approved contractual programs.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the company’s failure constitutes a clear violation of regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.
It noted that a number of pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom without secured accommodation, despite these services being documented in the contractual programs.
This prompted immediate regulatory action against the company and its overseas agent under the established legal frameworks, the ministry said.
"The measures are intended to safeguard the rights of affected pilgrims, prevent a recurrence of such violations, and ensure the continued enhancement of service quality," it added.
Last June, the ministry suspended seven Umrah companies due to deficiencies in providing transport services to pilgrims.
In an earlier report quoting the Hajj Ministry and the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, SPA said more than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during Jumada Al Akhira alone.
Also referred to as Jumada Al Thani, Jumada Al Akhira is the sixth month of the Islamic calendar. For Hijri year 1447, this sixth month ended on December 20, 2025 in the Gregorian calendar.
