Good morning, ladies and gents. With less than a week until the holy month, there’s not much going on out there, with one (surprising) exception.
The big story today: We have a new investment minister. Fahd Al Saif, PIF exec and debt program engineer, is replacing Khalid Al Falih to lead the Kingdom’s FDI push. Al Saif takes on the difficult task of shoring up Saudi FDI inflows, which are lagging behind FinMin’s targets — and the hope is he can replicate his success in developing access to debt capital markets.
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We’re hiring a technology reporter: EnterpriseAM is looking for a tech reporter to own the beat across Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.
This is a reporting job — not a desk job. You’ll be working sources, breaking stories, and writing about trendlines (not just headlines) in our voice and with the authority our readers expect. AI and digital infrastructure are huge features of the beat, but our interests are broad: fintech, telecoms, regulation, SaaS, and the bajillion ways tech is reshaping how businesses operate across the region.
We want someone who can pick up the phone or WhatsApp, get people talking, and turn what they say into stories that senior decision-makers need to read. We also expect you to attend industry events and maintain relationships with PR folks across the industry without selling out. If you’ve got 2-3 years of experience and the hunger to build a beat from the ground up, we want to hear from you. We’re also interested in hearing from veteran reporters. Spoken Arabic is strongly preferred.
The role is based in Cairo, though we’re open to remote for the right candidate. If you’re reading EnterpriseAM, you know what we’re about: a no-BS daily news outlet that tells busy execs, investors, founders, and ambitious people what they need to know about the trends shaping business, economy, finance, regulation, and public policy across our region. We write stories that have impact — about issues that matter — for a global audience of decision-makers.
Do we sound like the type of place where you want work? Send your CV and three clips to jobs@enterpriseamea.com. Also enclose a great cover letter that tells us who you are, what you do, and why you’d be a great fit for this job.
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News triggers
Gastat set to roll out fresh inflation data today: The General Authority for Statistics (Gastat) is set to publish January’s Consumer Price Index and Wholesale Price Index reports today, according to the state statistics agency’s calendar. The Kingdom’s inflation rate rose to 2.1% in December.
Happening today
#1- The three-day World Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics (WAM Saudi) will kick off today at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Front Center, bringing together more than 12k industry professionals, over 150 speakers and 8k C-level executives from some 45 countries.
#2- It’s day two of the Makkah Halal Forum at the Makkah Chamber Exhibitions and Events Center, hosting upwards of 10k visitors and more than 150 exhibitors. Under the theme “Halal as a Professional Industry,” the event will bring together government leaders, trade delegations, international companies and accreditation bodies.
WEATHER- Dust-raising winds will sweep across Tabuk, Al Jouf, the Northern Borders, Hail, Qassim, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, lowering visibility in parts of these regions. Meanwhile, light rain is expected over the highlands of Makkah, Al Baha, Asir, and Jazan, with a chance of fog forming in some areas.
- Riyadh: 28°C high / 19°C low.
- Jeddah: 32°C high / 23°C low.
- Makkah: 34°C high / 23°C low.
- Dammam: 27°C high / 19°C low.
Watch this space
ENERGY— Midad Energy emerged as the frontrunner for Lukoil’s international portfolio, after reportedly signing a term sheet to acquire the Russian energy giant’s sanctioned overseas assets, valued at USD 22 bn, three unnamed sources told Reuters. The agreement, finalized in late January, covers a global portfolio of oilfields, refineries, and fuel stations across Europe, Africa, and Latin America, setting up a potential reshuffle of refinery ownership and upstream positions as Russia is forced out of key markets.
The structure: To bypass current US sanctions, Midad reportedly structured the transaction as an all-cash offer held in escrow, ensuring funds remain inaccessible to the Russian entity until legal clearances are obtained, the sources said.
The bid still faces competition from the Carlyle Group, alongside interest from majors like ExxonMobil and Chevron, as Lukoil faces a US-mandated divestment deadline of 28 February.
BUT- Midad has an edge. CEO Abdulelah Al Aiban is the brother of Saudi National Security Adviser Musaed Al Aiban, a key figure in recent US-Russia peace talks in Riyadh. This connectivity is a major leg-up for securing approval from the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which holds final authority over the transaction.
OIL — Opec+ appears set to increase oil production starting in April, Reuters reports citing three Opec+ sources. The move would help Saudi Arabia and the UAE reclaim market share, while other members, including Russia and Iran, grapple with sanctions and Kazakhstan faces production challenges. The eight key producers meet on 1 March to finalize the next steps.
Restarting the increase: The group raised output by 2.9 mn bpd from April through December, but held off on further increases during the slower winter months.
INVESTMENT- Trump to attend FII summit in Miami (again)? US President Donald Trump is expected to join the Kingdom’s Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Miami from 25-27 March, marking his second appearance at the event since returning to the White House, Reuters reported, citing sources it says are in the know. Trump is expected to attend a private dinner on 26 March hosted by the Public Investment Fund Governor Yasir Al Rumayyan.
REGULATION — New fines for lack of business transparency: Commerce Minister Majid Al Qasabi has issued a decree introducing new penalties for companies that fail to disclose their beneficial owner or miss their annual data confirmation. The move aims to raise transparency, levels of compliance, and protect the public interest. Those who fail to comply will initially be met with a warning and a 30-day grace period to rectify the situation. Failure to do so will result in fines ranging from SAR 4k-80k.
It was only a few months back that the beneficial ownership rules got an overhaul, setting out a clearer structure for defining who holds effective control within companies. The amended rules comply with international standards to curb money laundering, terrorism financing, and arms funding while building a unified database for beneficial ownership across the Kingdom. You can check out our coverage of the new rules here.
Data point
220% — that’s the y-o-y surge in new mining exploitation licenses issued in the Kingdom in 2025, the Industry and Mineral Resources’ spokesman said on X. The licenses — which rose to 61 from 19 in 2024 — target strategic minerals including gold and phosphate, with total new project investments exceeding SAR 44 bn.
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The big story abroad
US and Europe are still BFFs, Rubio insists: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington seeks to preserve a close alliance with Europe in a speech at the Munich Security Conference. Rubio called for a “reinvigorated” partnership with a continent with which it shares “a sacred inheritance, an unbreakable link.”
There was a mixed reaction: Speaking after Rubio, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that, while the transatlantic partnership should not be weakened, Europe must become more independent. Other European diplomats balked at Rubio’s comments, and some highlighted his lack of attention to Russia or Ukraine.
Europe remains spooked by US President Donald Trump’s ambitions to seize control of Greenland, which has drawn the ire of Denmark — under whose influence the island falls.
Circle your calendar
The Future Aviation Forum will take place 20–22 April at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. The three-day event will bring together more than 12k aviation leaders and policymakers from over 150 countries, according to the website. Keynote speakers are yet to be announced



