RIYADH: The British side in the Saudi British Business Council underscored the importance of the commercial and investment relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, noting that Britain’s exit from the European Union’s gate would not leave a negative impact on the economic relations between the two countries.
The annual meeting of the British side in the Council which was held in London recently, led by Lord King, also underscored the importance of Britain’s continuing its economic and commercial practice as usual regardless of any negative repercussions of the recently-held referendum on the EU, expressing hope, at the same time, that the activities of the joint council would continue following the launch of the Kingdom’s vision 2030 and the national transformation program.
In a press release following the meeting, the council said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is Britain’s most important market in the Middle East. The statement said Britain’s exports amounted to €5.5 billion in 2015 while Saudi investments in Britain were estimated at €62 billion.
Brexit: No negative effect on Saudi-UK trade ties
Brexit: No negative effect on Saudi-UK trade ties
Visa holders can’t enter Makkah during Hajj season — Saudi interior ministry
- Between May 23 and June 21, only pilgrims with Hajj permits can enter Makkah
- Interior ministry says penalties to be imposed on anyone violating the rules
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced visit visa holders will not be allowed to enter or remain in Makkah during the Hajj season.
Between May 23 and June 21, only pilgrims with Hajj permits may do so, with penalties imposed on anyone violating the rules.
The ministry emphasized that visit visas did not give the holder permission to perform Hajj. It also urged visitors currently in Saudi Arabia to avoid travel to Makkah during the specified period.
“Violators will be subject to penalties according to the Kingdom’s regulations,” said a statement from the ministry.
Earlier, the Ministry of Interior said it would start imposing fines amounting to $2,666 on anyone, including Saudi citizens, caught entering Makkah without a Hajj permit between June 2-20.
First group of Yemeni pilgrims arrive for Hajj
RIYADH: The first Yemeni pilgrims to the Kingdom to perform Hajj this year arrived through Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport.
The Saudi government simplified the Yemeni visitors’ travel with immigration officers ensuring entry procedures were carried out smoothly, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports “has exerted every effort to ensure that the entry of pilgrims is facilitated, equipping all international border crossings with advanced technology and trained staff proficient in different languages spoken by pilgrims,” the report added.
Saudi Arabia in 2019 launched the Makkah Route Initiative to help Hajj pilgrims from seven countries — Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye and Ivory Coast — with their visa, customs and passport requirements.
The government program issues visas electronically and collects biometric data, carrying out all travel procedures at the airports of the countries of departure, including ensuring that pilgrims have a clean bill of health. Baggage is coded and sorted to meet the transport and accommodation arrangements while pilgrims are in the Kingdom.
King Salman earlier ordered the hosting of 2,322 Hajj pilgrims, a group that includes 1,000 family members of Palestinians killed or wounded by Israel or held in Israeli prisons.
Visa holders may not enter Makkah around Hajj season
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced visit visa holders will not be allowed to enter or remain in Makkah during the Hajj season.
Between May 23 and June 21, only pilgrims with Hajj permits may do so, with penalties imposed on anyone violating the rules.
The ministry emphasized that visit visas did not give the holder permission to perform Hajj. It also urged visitors currently in Saudi Arabia to avoid travel to Makkah during the specified period.
“Violators will be subject to penalties according to the Kingdom’s regulations,” said a statement from the ministry.
Earlier, the Ministry of Interior said it would start imposing fines amounting to $2,666 on anyone, including Saudi citizens, caught entering Makkah without a Hajj permit between June 2-20.
Saudi Arabia and Austria sign economic-cooperation pact
- The pact was inked at the ninth session of the Saudi-Austrian Joint Committee in Vienna
- The parties aim to encourage cooperation in trade, industry, research and development, tourism, and small and medium enterprises
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Ministry of Economy and Planning has signed a cooperation agreement with its Austria counterpart, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The pact was inked at the ninth session of the Saudi-Austrian Joint Committee in Vienna between the Kingdom’s Economy and Planning Minister Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim and Austria’s Labor and Economy Minister Martin Kocher.
The parties aim to encourage cooperation in trade, industry, research and development, tourism, and small and medium enterprises.
The countries will also organize conferences and seminars featuring experts in their fields.
The parties are committed to protecting mutual intellectual property rights, the SPA reported.
Saudi Arabia and Austria first signed economic, commercial, industrial and technology agreements in 2004.
Saudi Arabia reelected to Global Research Council leadership
- The governing board voted unanimously to reelect Vice Chairman Munir bin Mahmoud Eldesouki at the body’s 12th annual meeting
RIYADH: The Kingdom has retained its leadership position in the Global Research Council, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The governing board voted unanimously to reelect Vice Chairman Munir bin Mahmoud Eldesouki at the body’s 12th annual meeting in Interlaken, Switzerland this week.
The reelection to this position, for the second time since the body’s establishment in 2012, confirms the council’s confidence in Saudi Arabia, the SPA reported.
The council highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts in promoting research, development and innovation in the Middle East North Africa region, the report added.
The council comprises heads of research institutions that fund projects globally.
