Arab Energy Organization firms post record $280m profit

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Co., or ASRY, the Arab Energy Fund, the Arab Petroleum Services Co., the Arab Drilling and Workover Co., and the Arab Well Logging and Well Services Co. KUNA
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Updated 09 October 2025
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Arab Energy Organization firms post record $280m profit

JEDDAH: Arab energy companies posted record net profits of over $280 million in 2024 — their highest ever — driven by strong business volumes and strategic initiatives, according to the Arab Energy Organization. 

The achievement reflects the resilience of Arab energy firms amid volatile markets and follows efforts to modernize operations and strengthen coordination across member states, said Secretary-General Jamal Al-Loughani during the opening of the organization’s 54th Annual Coordinating Meeting. 

He stressed the importance of providing necessary support to foster growth, enhance prosperity, and achieve their founding objectives, the Kuwait News Agency, or KUNA, reported. 

“Al-Loughani underscored the need to build on previous meetings and their positive outcomes, moving toward a new phase that opens avenues for cooperation among affiliated companies and with national companies of a similar nature and activity in member states,” KUNA reported. 

The official commended the companies’ efforts, describing them as a catalyst for deeper Arab cooperation.  He highlighted their “pivotal and constructive role” in fostering collaboration and creating opportunities to strengthen the petroleum industry across member states, despite challenges arising from regional and global market conditions. 

Al-Loughani also highlighted the “continuous and constructive” communication maintained between the General Secretariat and the affiliated firms through designated liaison officers, KUNA reported. 

During the meeting, representatives of the organization’s affiliated companies reviewed major activities for 2024 and the first half of 2025, including commercial and technical operations, financial results, human resources activities, and training programs.  

They also presented several plans and projects aimed at enhancing performance, adapting to current market fluctuations, and maximizing revenue. 

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Co., or ASRY, the Arab Energy Fund, the Arab Petroleum Services Co., the Arab Drilling and Workover Co., and the Arab Well Logging and Well Services Co. 

The Arab Energy Organization, formerly known as the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, was restructured and renamed in December following a Saudi-led proposal to broaden its mandate beyond oil to cover the wider energy sector. 

Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, a major renewable energy firm and one of the region’s key players, reported a 2024 net profit of SR1.75 billion ($466 million), up 5.7 percent year on year, underscoring the Arab energy sector’s gradual shift toward sustainable growth. 


Education spending surges 251% as students return from autumn break: SAMA

Updated 12 December 2025
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Education spending surges 251% as students return from autumn break: SAMA

RIYADH: Education spending in Saudi Arabia surged 251.3 percent in the week ending Dec. 6, reflecting the sharp uptick in purchases as students returned from the autumn break.

According to the latest data from the Saudi Central Bank, expenditure in the sector reached SR218.73 million ($58.2 million), with the number of transactions increasing by 61 percent to 233,000.

Despite this surge, overall point-of-sale spending fell 4.3 percent to SR14.45 billion, while the number of transactions dipped 1.7 percent to 236.18 million week on week.

The week saw mixed changes between the sectors. Spending on freight transport, postal and courier services saw the second-biggest uptick at 33.3 percent to SR60.93 million, followed by medical services, which saw an 8.1 percent increase to SR505.35 million.

Expenditure on apparel and clothing saw a decrease of 16.3 percent, followed by a 2 percent reduction in spending on telecommunication.

Jewelry outlays witnessed an 8.1 percent decline to reach SR325.90 million. Data revealed decreases across many other sectors, led by hotels, which saw the largest dip at 24.5 percent to reach SR335.98 million. 

Spending on car rentals in the Kingdom fell by 12.6 percent, while airlines saw a 3.7 percent increase to SR46.28 million.

Expenditure on food and beverages saw a 1.7 percent increase to SR2.35 billion, claiming the largest share of the POS. Restaurants and cafes retained the second position despite a 12.6 percent dip to SR1.66 billion.

Saudi Arabia’s key urban centers mirrored the national decline. Riyadh, which accounted for the largest share of total POS spending, saw a 3.9 percent dip to SR4.89 billion, down from SR5.08 billion the previous week.

The number of transactions in the capital settled at 74.16 million, down 1.4 percent week on week.

In Jeddah, transaction values decreased by 5.9 percent to SR1.91 billion, while Dammam reported a 0.8 percent surge to SR713.71 million.

POS data, tracked weekly by SAMA, provides an indicator of consumer spending trends and the ongoing growth of digital payments in Saudi Arabia. 

The data also highlights the expanding reach of POS infrastructure, extending beyond major retail hubs to smaller cities and service sectors, supporting broader digital inclusion initiatives. 

The growth of digital payment technologies aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives, promoting electronic transactions and contributing to the nation’s broader digital economy.