RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is taking part in the World Economic Forum’s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, which kicked off on Tuesday in the Chinese city of Tianjin, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim is heading the Kingdom’s delegation at the two-day meeting.
Alibrahim is one of more than 1,500 global leaders from the public and private sectors, civil societies and international organizations attending the event, which will seek to find solutions to critical global challenges, such as energy transformation and planet conservation.
Alibrahim is scheduled to hold a number of high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines with several senior officials participating in the meeting to discuss means to boost economic relations, topics of common interest and the latest international economic developments.
During the annual meeting, the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning will officially announce ten winners of the “Innovation Challenge to Contribute to Enhancing Food Security in Arid Areas” launched in January in partnership with UpLink, the open innovation platform of the World Economic Forum.
The program is scheduled to launch another creative challenge to mobilize transformative solutions that contribute to providing local food in countries affected by rain scarcity, drought and desertification. The winning start-ups will receive 100,000 Swiss francs ($111,888) to develop their projects in order to promote positive change for individuals and the planet.
Economy minister heads Saudi delegation to WEF’s 2023 Annual Meeting of New Champions in China
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Economy minister heads Saudi delegation to WEF’s 2023 Annual Meeting of New Champions in China
Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent for violations
- Company fails to provide housing for Umrah pilgrims
- Actions to ‘safeguard’ rights of visitors, says ministry
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 contracted accommodation for pilgrims.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the company violated regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the two holy mosques.
It noted that several pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom without mandated accommodation. This prompted immediate action against the company and its overseas agent, the ministry stated.
“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 for pilgrims.
In an earlier report quoting the Hajj Ministry and the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, the SPA said more than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during the month of Jumada Al-Akhirah, corresponding to Nov. 22 to Dec. 20.
