Saudi Cabinet approves key agreements with UK, Malaysia and Jordan

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. SPA
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Updated 20 August 2024
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Saudi Cabinet approves key agreements with UK, Malaysia and Jordan

  • Deals are part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing economic diversification plan
  • Cabinet also discussed the Kingdom’s stable inflation rate of 1.5% in July

RIYADH: A number of key agreements signed with the UK, Malaysia, and Jordan received approval from the Saudi Cabinet, as Saudi Arabia strengthens its international partnerships under Vision 2030. 

The deals, ratified during a meeting chaired by King Salman, include a memorandum of understanding between the Kingdom and the UK to boost direct investment, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The deal is set to enhance economic ties and support the Kingdom’s goal of attracting foreign investment. 

The Cabinet also ratified a cooperation deal between Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority and its Malaysian counterpart, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing governance and transparency. 

An MoU with Jordan on social insurance cooperation was also finalized, further strengthening bilateral ties. 

These agreements are part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing economic diversification plan, which seeks to reduce dependence on oil revenues by increasing foreign investments across various sectors. 

The Cabinet also reviewed a range of domestic issues, including the performance of government agencies and initiatives aimed at improving digital platforms, service quality, and operational efficiency. 

The discussions underscored the Kingdom’s focus on enhancing the business environment, improving quality of life, and boosting global competitiveness. 

In a separate development, the Cabinet approved a program to develop Riyadh’s ring roads and main roads, a project designed to accommodate the city’s rapid growth and improve traffic flow. 

The initiative is integral to Riyadh’s broader urban development plan, reflecting its status as a major global capital. 

The Cabinet also discussed the Kingdom’s stable inflation rate of 1.5 percent in July, attributing this to effective measures taken to manage global price increases. This stability highlights the resilience of Saudi Arabia’s economic strategies. 

In addition to these approvals, the Cabinet reviewed and sanctioned financial statements for key government entities, including the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information and the Digital Government Authority. These actions reinforce the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. 

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the Cabinet’s commitment to Vision 2030 goals, particularly in increasing workforce participation and reducing unemployment to 7 percent, as well as promoting international security, development, and cultural advancement. 


King Abdulaziz Airport among world’s busiest after record-breaking 2025

Updated 46 min 52 sec ago
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King Abdulaziz Airport among world’s busiest after record-breaking 2025

RIYADH: King Abdulaziz International Airport has achieved a new historical milestone, reaching 53.4 million passengers in a single year.

This is the highest number ever recorded at a Saudi airport since the beginning of air travel in the Kingdom, placing it among the world’s mega airports in terms of passenger traffic, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The airport handled a total of 310,000 flights and 60.4 million bags, representing a 12 percent increase compared to 2024. It also handled 9.57 million Zamzam water containers and 2,968 cargo flights. 

This achievement reflects the airport’s qualitative transformation and its position as a regional hub and national gateway connecting the Kingdom to the world. It also highlights its role in facilitating the movement of visitors and pilgrims, promoting tourism in line with the goals of Vision 2030, diversifying the economy, and providing a distinguished travel experience. 

For his part, CEO of Jeddah Airports Co. Mazen Johar, affirmed that reaching 53.4 million passengers confirms the airport’s high operational readiness and represents a pivotal milestone for moving to the next phase, in preparation for doubling this number, God willing, in the coming years. 

He pointed out that this national achievement would not have been possible without the grace of God Almighty, followed by the directives of the wise leadership and the continuous follow-up from the minister of transport and logistics, the president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and the CEO of Airports Holding Co. 

He explained that King Abdulaziz International Airport is strengthening its position as a major aviation hub in the region through expansions, increased capacity, and improved services, supporting the objectives of the aviation program and aligning with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. 

The CEO of Jeddah Airports Co. expressed his gratitude to the partners in success from various government and private sectors for their fruitful cooperation through a collaborative work system that contributed to providing the best services.