RIYADH: Non-oil trade between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain rose 18 percent to $781 million during the second quarter of this year, compared to a year earlier as more trucks crossed the King Fahd Causeway.
Saudi trade accounted for around half of Bahrain’s total trade with the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, according to the latest figures released by Bahrain’s eGovernment and Information Authority.
Ali Al-Mudaifa, executive director of Bahrain’s Economic Development Board, said: “The King Fahd Causeway was instrumental in the food and medical supply chain during the height of the pandemic in Q2 2020. It will be just as important in supporting continued economic activity and trade between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in 2021.
“Bahrain is only a 40-minute drive away from the region’s biggest market, Saudi Arabia, so the causeway is a major draw for international companies looking to expand into the Gulf. Our Kingdom is also very well connected to the rest of the GCC via multiple daily flights on the national carrier, Gulf Air, and DHL’s regional hub is based at our new airport terminal,” he added.
Saudi Arabia opened its international borders on May 17. In a bid to manage the surge in demand, ten additional lanes have been installed in the departure area at the King Fahd Causeway, bringing the total number of lanes to 27, as well as 36 lanes in the arrival area.
The waiting time across the causeway has also been reduced. The King Fahd Causeway Authority and Tabadul in March announced it was planning to roll out a new truck management scheme. The pilot scheme is designed to help reduce the waiting time for trucks on the bridge from an average of four hours to just 20 minutes.
King Fahd Causeway boosts KSA-Bahrain non-oil trade by 18 percent in Q2
https://arab.news/2c3b9
King Fahd Causeway boosts KSA-Bahrain non-oil trade by 18 percent in Q2
- Saudi trade accounted for around half of Bahrain’s total trade with the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members
Saudi Arabia lifts property sale ban to spur AlUla development
RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla has lifted the suspension on land and property sales in central and southern AlUla, paving the way for renewed real estate activity in the region.
According to an RCU statement, the move aligns with the commission’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development aimed at enhancing residents’ quality of life.
It also supports Saudi Vision 2030’s tourism objectives, with AlUla projected to contribute a cumulative SR120 billion ($31 billion) to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product by 2035, Phillip Jones, RCU’s Chief Tourism Officer, told Arab News in 2024.
“Lifting the suspension on land and property sales opens wider pathways for urban development and expands residential and investment options, reinforcing AlUla’s position as a prime destination for living and investment,” the statement said.
The decision is also designed to unlock significant opportunities for investors and developers in Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector, strengthen stability in the rental and ownership markets, and support diverse residential and commercial projects. Additionally, it aims to enrich AlUla’s urban identity by blending modern development with the city’s cultural and historical heritage.
Speaking at the TOURISE conference in Riyadh last November, Jones noted that AlUla has expanded its aviation capacity to 30 weekly flights and plans to double its hotel rooms to 2,000. He emphasized that these efforts aim to create a scalable, self-sustaining ecosystem that improves access while preserving the region’s heritage and landscapes.
Jones described AlUla as “a year-round destination,” with peak tourism from October to April driven by festivals, events, and concerts. Increased visitor numbers are already contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economy, in line with Vision 2030 goals.
Located in the northwest of the Kingdom and spanning approximately 22,000 sq. km, AlUla also has a thriving agricultural sector that underpins its economic development. Guided by social, economic, and ecological principles, the RCU has developed a strategic roadmap for AlUla, aiming to diversify the national economy beyond oil and boost GDP growth.
