Good morning, wonderful people. Today’s lighter-than-usual issue features updates on two big projects: Hong Kong-based LWK + Partners unveiled details on Pulse Wadi project (touted as “Saudi Arabia’s Silicon Valley”), estimated to cost some SAR 12 bn, while Ra’i broke ground on its SAR 2 bn livestock facility in Hail. Let’s dive in.
HAPPENING TODAY-
The 2025 Esports World Cup kicks off today in Riyadh, running through 24 August. The tournament is bringing over 2k professional players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries to compete across 25 tournaments for a record-breaking USD 70 mn prize pool. This year’s lineup includes top games, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, PUBG, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Valorant, and Tekken 8.
WEATHER- Riyadh is expected to see a high of 40°C and a low of 26°C, while Jeddah’s mercury will go as high as 38°C and as low as 27°C. Makkah will see a 40°C high and 27°C low.
PSAs-
#1- The subscription window for the July round of the government-issued retail sukuk program Sah closes tomorrow at 3pm, the National Debt Management Center said on X. The sukuk offers a 4.88% yield, with investors able to sign up for a minimum of SAR 1k each and a maximum of SAR 200k.
#2- Businesses subject to withholding tax must file their June tax returns by Thursday, 10 July via Zatca’s website, according to a statement. Late submissions will face a 1% penalty for every 30 days of delay.
#3- A new work permits classification guide (pdf) is out, grading expat working skills into highly-skilled, skilled, and basic, aiming at attracting talents and developing the labor market in the Kingdom, the Human Resources and Social Development Ministry said in a statement yesterday. The fresh classification is based on academic degrees, work experience, vocational skills, salary and age.
#4- Some 13 new investment windows in Rabigh are up for grabs under build, operate, and maintain contracts, state news agency SPA reported yesterday, citing Jeddah Municipality. Details are available on the Furas platform.
WATCH THIS SPACE-
A potential leadership change is reportedly on the horizon for PwC, as UK Senior Partner Marco Amitrano is considering managing partner and former rival Laura Hinton to succeed Hani Ashkar as head of the firm's Middle East business, the Financial Times reported yesterday, citing sources it said are in the know. Ashkar, who has led the region for over 12 years, told colleagues in May that he will step down next summer to assume a new global role within the firm, the sources said.
The news is turning some heads: The potential appointment of an outsider like Hinton — who would become the first female head of a Big Four firm in the Middle East — is considered an unusual move in a market where business success heavily relies on long-standing personal relationships.
IN CONTEXT- Integrated with its UK counterpart, PwC’s Middle East business has been a crucial growth engine, offsetting sluggish demand in the UK. The region’s sales rose 26% In FY 2024, contributing nearly one-third of the combined GBP 6.3 bn revenue for the UK and Middle East. This success now faces headwinds as the consulting boom in Saudi Arabia slows down due to local concerns about over-reliance on Western firms.
There are more concerns: The Public Investment Fund reportedly barred PwC from advisory contracts for a year starting in February, after the firm allegedly tried to hire ex-Neom audit chief Jason Davies. PwC has since removed several senior executives from its Middle East arm in a bid to make amends with the PIF, media reports said.
Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan inaugurated the new Saudi Embassy during his visit to Moscow, the Saudi Gazette reported yesterday. Farhan landed in Moscow last Friday, where he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss boosting economic, cultural, and energy ties between the two countries.
OIL WATCH-
Aramco is set to bump its flagship Arab Light Crude’s price in August to USD 2.20 above market average for Asian markets, according to a company document seen by Bloomberg. The bump amounting to USD 1 was higher than trader’s expectations of USD 0.65, signalling further confidence in a healthy market.
ICYMI- Opec+ agreed to raise production by 548k barrels per day in August, accelerating its plan to return supply to the market and exceeding analyst expectations. Analysts expect the hike may cause a crude surplus by 4Q, cutting prices down to around USD 60 a barrel, Bloomberg adds.
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THE BIG STORY ABROAD-
It’s a busy morning in the foreign press, with more updates on the US’ reciprocal tariffs and Israel’s potential ceasefire in Gaza, as well as a flood in Texas with a rising death toll.
#1- The US is finalizing trade agreements ahead of the 9 July deadline, though it has clarified that tariffs will go into effect on 1 August, giving countries a bit of time to strike agreements. US President Donald Trump will reportedly be sending letters to the countries without a trade agreement about their tariff rates after tomorrow. (Reuters | Financial Times | CNBC)
#2- Floods caused by a sudden storm in Central Texas have killed around 78 people, with many more missing and more rain set to strike in the next couple of days. Most of the affected were young children in private summer camps, and experts have raised concerns that Trump’s federal workforce cuts — which affected, among many others, the National Weather Service — led to a failure by officials to accurately predict the storms and issue warnings ahead of the storm. (Reuters | Guardian | Bloomberg | BBC)
#3- Trump is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today as a potential 60-day ceasefire hangs in the balance. Indirect talks in Qatar ended inconclusively yesterday after representatives from Hamas said the Israeli delegation did not have a sufficient mandate to reach an agreement. Attacks in Gaza continued yesterday, with some 38 people killed.
Meanwhile, the Brics summit is also generating some headlines, as the countries condemned attacks on Gaza and Iran and called for reforms of global institutions including the IMF. (Bloomberg | Reuters)
CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-
The Sustainable Maritime Industry Conference will take place on 3-4 September at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah. The event is set to gather over 60 speakers and more than 3k participants to discuss maritime decarbonization, digital transformation, regulatory frameworks, capacity building, and sustainable practices.
The Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup Saudi Arabia Round’s national competition will be held from 30 September to 2 October in Riyadh. The competition offers a path to the Saudi-hosted Middle East qualifiers and the World Cup set to be held in France, state news agency SPA reports. Registration will be open until 20 July.
The World Planning Council is coming to Riyadh between 1-4 December. Organized by the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) and hosted by the Riyadh Municipality, the event includes discussion sessions and workshops on sustainable urban growth, governance, economy, and climate adaptability, the Municipality said on X. Attendees can register online.

