Saudi HRDF signs $86.5m deals to train over 2k job seekers

The agreements were signed by HRDF Deputy CEO for Operations, Feras bin Abdulaziz Abalkhail, alongside Tariq bin Mohammed Al-Shamrani, CEO of the Energy and Water Academy; Rania Mualla, founder and chairperson of the ZADK Saudi Culinary Academy; and Ahmed Al-Shamrani, CEO of the Health Academy at the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. SPA
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Updated 11 December 2025
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Saudi HRDF signs $86.5m deals to train over 2k job seekers

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has signed three major agreements through its Human Resources Development Fund to train and empower 2,191 job seekers, with a combined value exceeding SR324 million ($86.5 million). 

The HRDF announced the signing of the agreements with the Energy and Water Academy, the Health Academy at the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, and the Saudi ZADK Saudi Culinary Academy. 

The agreements were signed by HRDF Deputy CEO for Operations, Feras bin Abdulaziz Abalkhail, alongside Tariq bin Mohammed Al-Shamrani, CEO of the Energy and Water Academy; Rania Mualla, founder and chairperson of the ZADK Saudi Culinary Academy; and Ahmed Al-Shamrani, CEO of the Health Academy at the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. 

The signing took place on the sidelines of the Development Finance Conference Momentum 2025, held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh and running through Dec. 11. 

The agreements reflect HRDF’s commitment to enhancing the skills of Saudi talent, providing knowledge and training aligned with labor market needs, and adopting an outcome-focused approach in delivering services. 

The initiatives aim to elevate the Kingdom’s human capital ecosystem by shaping future labor market trends, offering targeted programs that address specific needs, and boosting the efficiency and competitiveness of the national workforce. 

These efforts also support Saudization goals and broader economic development targets under Vision 2030. 

The Development Finance Conference underscores the role of the National Development Fund as a key enabler of the Kingdom’s growth and a strategic driver of the development finance landscape. 

By uniting efforts and maximizing developmental impact, the fund aims to ensure sustainable growth and empower vital sectors to achieve both domestic and global development objectives through the 12 development funds and banks under its umbrella. 

Through its global platform, the Momentum conference enhances coordination among development funds and banks, as well as international financial institutions, while fostering partnerships with public and private sector leaders to optimize resource use — advancing the ambitious targets of Vision 2030. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 10,588 

Updated 14 December 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 10,588 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 127.15 points, or 1.19 percent, to close at 10,588.83. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR2.57 billion ($685 million), as 28 of the stocks advanced and 232 retreated.    

Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 108.53 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 23,719.13. This comes as 22 of the stocks advanced while 47 retreated.    

The MSCI Tadawul Index lost 17.17 points, or 1.22 percent, to close at 1,393.34.     

The best-performing stock of the day was Sport Clubs Co., whose share price surged 3.69 percent to SR9.00.   

Other top performers included Flynas Co., whose share price rose 2.55 percent to SR72.30, as well as National Industrialization Co., whose share price surged 2.13 percent to SR10.09. 

Consolidated Grunenfelder Saady Holding Co. recorded the most significant drop, falling 6.61 percent to SR8.90. 

Sustained Infrastructure Holding Co. also saw its stock prices fall 5.75 percent to SR30.82. 

CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. also saw its stock prices decline 5.72 percent to SR22.40. 

On the announcements front, Wataniya Insurance Co. said it has received a notice of award for a one-year contract with Saudi National Bank to provide general insurance as well as protection and savings insurance services, in line with agreed terms and conditions. 

According to a Tadawul statement, coverage will begin on Jan. 1, 2026. The contract value exceeds 15 percent of the company’s total revenues, based on its latest audited financial statements for 2024.  

Wataniya Insurance Co. ended the session at SR14.35, up 1.92 percent. 

Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co., or Cenomi Retail, has announced executing a SR1.5 billion facility agreement structured as a short-term loan with Emirates NBD – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A bourse filing revealed that the financing duration is three years with an option to extend for a total of two years. 

Cenomi Retail ended the session at SR20.00, up 0.26 percent. 

First Milling Co. has announced the Board of Directors’ recommendation to amend the firm’s bylaws Article “Company Management” to increase the number of board members from seven to eight. This change reflects the firm’s commitment to broadening the range of expertise and skills on its board, in line with its growth and expansion plans for the next phase. 

The company reiterated its commitment to fulfilling all necessary procedures and obtaining approvals from the relevant authorities. The recommendation will be submitted to the upcoming General Assembly, with the date to be announced in due course. 

First Milling Co. ended the session at SR49.22, down 1.06 percent.