Saudi Arabia freezes rents in Riyadh, property sales hit $17.5bn, foreign ownership rules may change, and startups surge – 10 key KSA stories this week
GCC
Latest in GCC
Cloud seeding
Saudi Arabia to rehabilitate 33 sites under cloud seeding initiative
Saudi Arabia has launched a large-scale environmental initiative to expand vegetation cover and rehabilitate rangelands across the Kingdom
archaeological discovery
Saudi Arabia uncovers earliest human settlements dating back 11,000 years
Saudi Arabia reveals new archaeological discoveries at Masyoun and Umm Jirsan, dating back up to 11,000 years, reshaping knowledge of early human settlement
UAE hotels
UAE tourism sector reaches $70.1bn GDP contribution with record growth in 2024
The UAE’s tourism sector reached $70.1bn GDP contribution in 2024, with record visitor spending and hotel revenues, reinforcing its global leadership
AI
Saudi PIF-backed HUMAIN debuts AI-first Horizon Pro PC with Snapdragon X Elite
HUMAIN, the PIF-backed AI company, unveils the Horizon Pro PC with Snapdragon X Elite, integrating Saudi AI and hybrid cloud for enterprise and consumer users
Dubai
Elysian Developments launches Dubai’s first longevity-focused project Émerge Residences
The launch was marked at an exclusive event at the Four Seasons Resort in Jumeirah Beach, attended by industry leaders, wellness advocates, and design specialists
Expo 2030
Riyadh builds global city status with 7,200 smart infrastructure push ahead of Saudi mega events
Riyadh advances urban infrastructure with 7,200 projects, 800,000 km of service networks, and smart city upgrades as it prepares for Expo 2030 and FIFA 2034 in Saudi Arabia
air taxis
FlyNow Arabia: Saudi businesses back eCopter flying taxis
FlyNow Arabia secures Saudi investor backing to launch eCopter flying taxis, local manufacturing and Vision 2030-aligned electric air mobility in the Kingdom
Emirates Road
UAE launches $204m Emirates Road expansion to cut travel time by 45%
The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure begins AED750m ($204m) Emirates Road upgrade to ease congestion, boost capacity, and cut travel times by 45%
Abu Dhabi
UAE petrol prices to change for October 2025
UAE petrol prices saw a slight decline last month as part of a period of relative stability
Ajman real estate market
UAE Golden visa boost: Ajman real estate valuations hit $113m in August
Ajman’s Land and Real Estate Regulation Department completed 155 UAE property valuations in August worth $112.7m, led by residential and commercial assets
dubai chamber of commerce
Dubai Chamber of Commerce reviews 27 laws as five new Business Councils launched in H1 2025
Dubai Chamber of Commerce reviewed 27 laws in H1 2025, launched five new Business Councils, and held 98 meetings to boost Dubai’s business environment
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s National Water Company urges disconnection for unverified meters
The National Water Company will permanently cut off water service for unverified meters in Saudi Arabia.
AlUla
Watch how Azimuth 2025 transforms AlUla into a global music stage from sunset to dawn
AlUla Shines: Azimuth 2025 Brings Together International Music Stars for Unforgettable Nights
Bitcoin
Global crypto treasuries triple to $238.6 billion in one year: Report
Figures show the sharpest rise in corporate and institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies to date
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s XRG closes 11.7% stake acquisition in Phase 1 of US LNG project
Investment done in a JV with BlackRock; Rio Grande LNG project is one of the most ambitious LNG export infrastructure projects in the country
Sovereign Mobility Cloud
Space42 to provide HD map data to GM’s Super Cruise in the UAE
The UAE spacetech company enters a long-term agreement with Dynamic Map Platform North America to provide the service