Is Premium Residency expanding to the ultra-wealthy?

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

THIS MORNING: Aramco taps bond markets

Good morning, wonderful people. If you feel January has been going on for too long, you’re not alone. Maybe it’s the post-holiday blues: the slow pace of days following the crazy festive Christmas season, as one psychologist thinks. We’re this close to January’s last workday, anyway, so hang in there.

Leading today’s issue: Is your net worth over USD 30 mn or you have a luxury yacht? You might be in luck: the Premium Residency Program is reportedly weighing a new expansion that will target high-net-worth individuals.

Happening today

South African industrial heavyweight Barloworld is getting delisted from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and A2X today, after a Zahid Group-led consortium completed a USD 1.3 bn take-private acquisition. The move ends the 123-year-old company’s run on the public markets.

It took persistence: After shareholders rejected an initial full buyout in late 2024, Zahid pivoted to a standby offer at ZAR 120 per share — an 87% premium to the pre-talks price. The acquisition was executed via Newco, a vehicle backed by Zahid’s Gulf Falcon Holding and Entsha, an entity linked to Barloworld CEO Dominic Sewela. Sewela’s involvement sparked backlash from minority shareholders and governance hawks, who flagged the conflict of a sitting CEO negotiating his own equity roll-over into the buying vehicle. Despite the governance noise, the consortium secured 97.6% of acceptances, allowing them to squeeze out the remaining minorities.

Why it matters: Barloworld is the sole distributor of Caterpillar equipment in Southern Africa, anchoring it to the region’s critical mining and infrastructure capex. For Zahid — already a Caterpillar heavyweight in the Middle East — this secures a dominant grip on the dealership footprint across the entire Saudi-Africa corridor.

WEATHER- Dust storms are still blowing over parts of Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Makkah, Madinah, and Najran.

Riyadh: 20°C high / 8°C low.
Jeddah: 32°C high / 23°C low.
Makkah: 33°C high / 22°C low.
Dammam: 21°C high / 10°C low.

Watch this space

DEBT — Aramco is back in the bond market: State-owned oil giant Aramco has priced its USD 4 bn in bond issuance — its first of the year to back its investments and dividend commitments, Bloomberg reports, citing a source close to the matter. The oil giant is offering four USD-denominated bonds, with maturities ranging from three to 30 years.

Strong demand = lower yields. The offering attracted over USD 22 bn at its peak, which then settled at USD 14 bn after the pricing was adjusted. The spread over US Treasuries is around 130 bps for the 30-year tranche, well below the initial price of 165 bps, Bloomberg’s source said. While the source didn’t disclose the final price for the three, five, and 10-year tranches, we can assume that they saw similar dips from their initial prices of 100 bps, 115 bps, and 125 bps, respectively.

The move comes after a relatively active funding run. Aramco tapped investors several times over the past year, most recently with a USD 3 bn sukuk in September, after a USD 5 bn conventional bond sale in May.

The oil giant formally kicked off the debt sale yesterday, under its Global Medium Term Note Program, confirming the notes will be senior unsecured and marketed to institutional investors, with a USD 200k minimum ticket, according to a bourse filing. The offering is open through 2 February, with the final size, pricing, and maturities subject to market conditions, and proceeds earmarked for general corporate purposes.

ADVISORS- Our friends at HSBC are acting as active joint bookrunners alongside Citi, Goldman Sachs International, JP Morgan, and Morgan Stanley. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Bank of China, BofA Securities, BSF Capital, Emirates NBD Capital, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mizuho, MUFG, Natixis, Riyad Capital, SMBC, and Standard Chartered are passive joint bookrunners.

NEOM — Details of the recalibration plan for the futuristic city keep trickling: The gigaproject reportedly created a new chief of staff division to strengthen oversight, as part of the year-long “comprehensive review” that is set to wrap up in the coming months, Semafor reported yesterday, citing unnamed sources.

Who’s at the helm? The new unit is reportedly headed by Mazen Al Furaih — previously a senior director at the PIF — and includes five senior executives tasked with tightening project governance and improving coordination with the government.

Fewer workers: The recalibration hit staffing levels in the project, with several hundred employees dismissed from the workforce of around 6k, the sources said. Contractors have cut thousands more jobs as construction activity at The Line slowed sharply, reflecting a broader reset in timelines.

Why this matters: The ambitious USD 1 tn gigaproject has faced mounting fiscal and engineering pressures, leading to delays and scaled-back designs. The new unit signals a bid to improve efficiency and curb ballooning costs, helping keep the project moving on a more sustainable budget and schedule.

IN CONTEXT- This move adds to the recent reports of a new vision for Neom as a “far smaller” development, serving as a hub for data centers. Neom’s management may also be reshaped, with control possibly shifting from the PIF to other state-backed entities.

But work never stopped here: Although the 2029 Asian Winter Games were deferred because of delayed work at Torjena, construction continues at the ski resort, along with progress at the megaport and industrial city Oxagon, and the world’s largest green hydrogen plant, according to Semafor.

CONSULTING — Is PwC back in the PIF’s good graces? The Public Investment Fund reportedly allowed PwC to resume bidding on its advisory and consulting contracts, as the 12-month ban is coming to an end, Bloomberg reported, citing people it said are familiar with the matter.

Why this matters:PwC’s ban reportedly triggered layoffs of some 60 partners and 1.5k employees last year, with the firm’s revenue growth dropping to 0.4% for the fiscal year ending in June 2025, down from 26% growth recorded the previous year. Resuming business as usual offers a sigh of relief for the firm, which seeks a chunk of the large Saudi advisory and consulting market.

The Kingdom remains a crucial market for PwC, which opened a new regional headquarters in Riyadh’s Laysen Valley last month and appointed new leadership for its Middle East business earlier last year.

REAL ESTATE — Al Saedan Real Estate has launched a SAR 1.5 bn investment platform — named SL Property — that will focus on commercial, residential, hospitality, infrastructure, and data center developments across the country. The platform will invest in six to eight projects — concentrated in Riyadh and Jeddah — in its first phase.

All thanks to the Foreign Property Ownership Law: The development was spurred on by the Foreign Property Ownership Law, which has gone live this week, allowing non-Saudi individuals and institutions to own properties and hold real estate rights in Saudi Arabia.

Who’s involved? SL Property was set up in partnership with UK-based specialist asset manager Serpentine Lake Capital and Canadian real estate investment outfit SGI Real Estate.

Market Watch

Opec+ is expected to keep oil output increases on hold through March at its meeting on Sunday, delegates told Reuters. The alliance froze planned hikes after a rapid unwinding of production cuts last year — effectively holding supply flat for 1Q. Brent has peaked at around USD 66 a barrel this month, up from year-start lows, thanks to supply setbacks in Kazakhstan.

The expectation inside the group is that policy stays unchanged, though some members caution that discussions have not formally begun yet, four delegates told Bloomberg. There is no sense so far that this month’s turbulence in Venezuela or Iran requires a response, one source said, while another flagged the caveat: a serious supply disruption would change the math fast and could push Opec+ to open the taps.

Data point

3k+ aircraft — that’s the cumulative order backlog held by the UAE, India, and Saudi Arabia with Airbus and Boeing, more than double the size of their current fleets, according to a statement from Avolon. Around 900 deliveries are expected over the next three years.

The global scene: While the aviation sector’s prospects are looking promising, thanks to persistent low fuel prices and growth from markets like the US, Europe, the Gulf, and India, a chronic undersupply of aircraft is weighing on the outlook. Airbus and Boeing’s total backlog now stands at more than 11 years, as the two — along with Embraer — saw 2k new orders last year. Going forward, the aircraft shortage is set to lead to higher lease rates.

Still, the sector’s earnings are set to come in at USD 41 bn this year, which would make it the fourth year of gains as it looks to recover the USD 182 bn pandemic-induced losses.

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The big story abroad

It’s a mixed bag in the foreign business press this morning, with the USD’s slide, gas prices, and Trump’s latest tariff announcement all making headlines.

#1- Trump to hike tariffs on Seoul: US President Donald Trump announced he is hiking tariffs on South Korean autos, lumber, and pharma from 15% to 25%, blaming the country’s legislature for not implementing a trade agreement reached last November. The move strains Washington’s relationship with a major trade partner, as South Korea ranks among the top 10 sources of imports to the US, with over USD 150 bn worth of Korean goods heading to the US every year.

#2- The USD dipped to its lowest point since 2022 amid speculation about joint US-Japan efforts to boost the JPY, which jumped to a two-month high. Adding to pressure on the greenback are worries of another government shutdown and geopolitical tension pushing investors away from the currency and into safe haven assets.

#3- Musk’s X is in hot water with the EU: The European Union is investigating Elon Musk’s X following the generation of explicit images of women and children by its in-app AI chatbot Grok. The probe will ascertain whether or not the company properly mitigated risks of its chatbot’s functionalities in the bloc.

#4- US natural gas prices have soared to a three-year high after a major winter storm disrupted production across the country.

The Kingdom considers USD 30 mn entry tier for premium residency

The Kingdom is weighing another expansion of its Premium Residency Program, aimed this time at individuals with a net worth of at least USD 30 mn, Bloomberg reported, citing people it says are in the know. The move — which could be announced in April — would also open new pathways for luxury yacht owners and high-achieving students, widening the program’s appeal beyond its traditional talent base.

The details

Under the proposed changes, high-net-worth individuals, large yacht owners, high-achieving students, and entrepreneurs would be eligible to apply for premium residency, possibly needing a recommendation from the Investment Ministry. Application fees for the new categories are expected to be around USD 1k, broadly in line with most existing tracks, although fees can climb to nearly USD 200k for those seeking permanent residency.

The rationale: The proposed expansion would build on a broader push to position the Kingdom as a more compelling destination for foreign capital, investors, and skilled professionals. Recent reforms have already opened equity markets further and eased foreign ownership rules in real estate.

Why it matters

Lowering the friction for high net worth individuals signals a bid to deepen the Kingdom’s private equity market and stimulate high-end real estate demand — placing itself in closer competition with nearby regional hubs like Dubai.

The residency program has focused since its launch on special talent — executives, doctors, and researchers — with rigid thresholds, including a minimum monthly salary of SAR 80k, active business investments of at least SAR 7 mn, or property ownership valued at SAR 4 mn or more.

The program expanded in 2024 from just two to seven categories, including exceptional competence, talent, business investor, entrepreneur, real estate owner, and both limited and unlimited duration premium residency. About 40.2k applications were received between January 2024 and July 2025, with 8.1 permits issued in 2024 alone — a record high.

Why applicants care: Premium residency holders benefit from exemptions on certain business fees, easier access to real estate ownership, and greater long-term stability. Residents can freely enter and exit the country, change jobs, and sponsor family members.

MEANWHILE- Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency Center has approved 3.5k private-sector entities whose employees may qualify for the Special Talent Premium Residency, Okaz reported.

How Saudi’s new regulations could help spur supply in a crunched warehousing market

A compliance clock is ticking for Saudi warehouse operators, as this week marks the expiration of a 180-day grace period for the Municipalities and Housing Ministry’s new technical standards (pdf) for storage facilities. Under the new standards, setting up new warehouses — as well as operating existing ones — will be required to meet risk-based safety and architectural requirements, raising the quality bar for the Saudi warehousing industry.

What’s in the law? Storage facilities are categorized by the risk level of their contents, with some labeled as medium risk (S1) and others as low risk (S2). Each classification has its own technical requirements, stipulating minimum square footage, ceiling height, and mandatory empty space between the warehousing facility and other property in the vicinity.

What does this mean for operators? The new standards — announced in late July 2025 — charge local municipalities to levy fees on non-compliant operators, who can face up to SAR 1 mn in fines as per the Municipal Violations Penalties law.

This can help spur demand for Grade A warehouses

Why does it matter? It could help spur supply in a market that is seeing unprecedented demand for high-quality warehousing, according to a Knight Frank report (pdf). This is especially evident in Riyadh, where severe shortage and high demand for space have pushed rental rates to historic highs in 1H 2025 — up 16% y-o-y to an average of SAR 208 per sqm. With occupancy hitting 98%, the shortage of premium space was further demonstrated by prime assets commanding rates in excess of SAR 250 per sqm.

The Saudi warehousing market is not “cost-sensitive,” unlike its counterparts in the region, and many “businesses are actually pausing their entry into Saudi because they refuse to settle for subpar Grade B assets,” Knight Frank’s Adam Wynne tells EnterpriseAM. By requiring new builds to meet higher standards and pushing existing operators to upgrade, the new standards could help Saudi meet the robust demand for high-quality, or what the industry calls Grade A, warehouses.

Other laws could also help address the supply gap

Enter the White Land Tax: In what could be an attempt to alleviate this demand pressure, the Saudi government rolled out the White Land Tax late last year, replacing the old 2.5% flat levy on idle lands in urban areas with a five-tier system that targets high-priority urban zones with annual fees as high as 10% of total land value.

What does this mean? For landholding families, holding idle land loses its traditional value for preserving wealth and becomes more of a financial liability, Wynne tells us. “We’re seeing a lot of activity from local land-owning families who are looking to activate [their assets],” with many now carrying out due diligence and feasibility studies on how to best use the land, including by setting up high-quality storage, he added.

Specialization might be the name of the game: Local players face several options when developing storage facilities, with the most direct option being ambient, general warehousing. Given an asset’s specific qualities — like location — it may be more lucrative to establish specialized storage, Wynne said. In the long-term view, a specialized storage facility can differentiate itself in the years to come as more and more warehousing spaces become available.

But it may not be so simple: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority rolled out new specifications for cold storage facilities last year, which similarly raise the bar for operators, according to the announcement (pdf). The authority mandated that all chilled and frozen food factories, warehouses, and their owned or contracted transport vehicles must link their temperature and humidity sensors to the Wasl platform starting last October.

Banque Saudi Fransi had a bumper 2025

Banque Saudi Fransi became the first bank to share its 4Q earnings, with figures announced yesterday showing a 13% y-o-y increase in net income to SAR 1.3 bn during the quarter.

The bank also reported “record” earnings for the full year, saying net income grew 18% to some 5.4 bn, on the back of a 10% increase in net interest income, while non-interest income grew at a slower 4%.

ALSO- Higher consumer and commercial lending sent loans and advances up 5% y-o-y to SAR 214.9 bn. Meanwhile, customer deposits reached SAR 195.2 bn, a 5% y-o-y increase driven by interest-bearing deposits.

Tibbiyah appoints Mohammad Mostafa as CEO

Arabian International Healthcare Holding (Tibbiyah) named Mohammad Mostafa (LinkedIn) as its new CEO, effective 1 March, it said in a Tadawul disclosure. Mostafa will succeed Christophe Yvon Lala, who is leaving his post on 28 February.

More about Mostafa: With over 28 years of executive experience, Mostafa is a veteran leader in healthcare systems and digital transformation. His previous leadership roles include VP of Philips Health Systems for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa and CEO of Philips Healthcare Saudi Arabia. Mostafa will oversee Tibbiyah’s business transformation and growth strategy, the firm said.

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Acwa Power dips its toes in the Philippines, Asas Makeen to launch private real estate fund

Acwa Power secures Philippines’ New Clark solar project

Acwa Power is moving into Southeast Asia with plans to develop a large-scale solar and battery storage project in the Philippines, with the firm signing a reservation agreement with the country’s Bases Conversion and Development Authority to explore the project at New Clark City, it said in a statement on Sunday. The agreement secures a 500-hectare site for a pre-feasibility study, laying the groundwork for a solar-plus-storage project designed to supply clean power to the industrial special economic zone north of Manila.

Why it matters: While Acwa Power is already a dominant renewables player across the GCC and Central Asia, the Philippines represents a high-stakes entry into the Southeast Asian market. Demand for renewable power is rising quickly in the region, driven by green industrial zones and data-heavy manufacturing, and is increasingly outpacing the capacity of local utilities.

Asas Makeen, Al Moajil, Dinar launch SAR 140 mn fund

Asas Makeen is doubling down on the developer-fund-partner model. Asas Makeen Real Estate Development and Investment signed a final agreement with Dinar Investment and industrial-heavy Abdulaziz & Saad Al Moajil Trading and Investment to launch a SAR 140 mn closed-end private real estate fund, according to a disclosure to Tadawul. The fund will be managed by Dinar Investment and target residential and commercial assets, marking another step in the developer’s aggressive expansion strategy following its oversubscribed Nomu listing.

Tasnee JV secures Murabaha loan for ethylene expansion

The Saudi Ethylene and Polyethylene Company (SEPC) secured SAR 1.7 bn in Shariah-compliant Murabaha financing from Bank Albilad, according to a disclosure to Tadawul. The 12-year loan, which includes a two-year grace period, is backed by promissory notes and shareholder guarantees. Proceeds will fund the Ethylene Cracker Expansion Project at SEPC. SEPC is a Tasnee Sahara Olefins Company JV of which Tasnee holds a 60% stake.

Juthor closes pre-seed round

Homegrown e-commerce startup Juthor raised USD 500k in a pre-seed round led by Flat6Labs, and with participation from angel investors, according to a press release. The fresh funds will support the development of scalable infrastructure and faster product rollouts for multi-channel retailers across Saudi Arabia and international markets.

Japanese government bond turmoil raises risks for JPY, carry trade, and US Treasuries

Tokyo’s bond market crash may be the end of easy money in Japan. The Japanese government bond (JGB) market, long a pillar of global stability, has entered a new era of unprecedented volatility, Bloomberg reports.

What happened? Last week, yields jumped 25 basis points in a single session — a rate that previously took months — signaling the end of Japan’s decades-long era of ultra-low rates.

Why the market snapped

The selloff was triggered by a relatively small amount of trading. Just USD 280 mn in turnover in ultra-long-dated JGBs sparked a USD 41 bn wipeout across the yield curve. Ultra-long maturities were hit the hardest, with about USD 170 mn traded in 30-year bonds and USD 110 mn in 40-year notes, yet yields jumped more than 25 basis points.

This volatility exposed a hollowed-out market: Years of Bank of Japan (BOJ) intervention have thinned liquidity. With the BOJ and domestic life insurers stepping back, prices are increasingly set by marginal trades rather than deep market demand. “This is not a paradox: it is exactly what you expect in a market where depth is thin, dealer balance sheets are constrained, and prices are set by the marginal trade rather than by volume-weighted averages,” said Shoki Omori, chief desk strategist at Mizuho Securities.

The pressure stems from a perfect storm of rising inflation and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s expansionary fiscal plans, which have shown “disregard toward the yield movements” ahead of the Feb. 8 snap election, according to Shinji Kunibe of Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management. Investors fear higher spending will worsen Japan’s already heavy debt burden of about 230% of GDP, creating a “Truss moment” with the currency down and long-end yields getting “a little out of control,” said Ugo Lancioni of Neuberger Berman.

The global ripple effect

The shock rippled through global markets, already pressuring US Treasuries. Goldman Sachs estimates that every 10 basis points of a Japan-specific bond shock lifts US yields by two to three points.

Why it matters: Rising yields threaten the USD 450 bn JPY-funded carry trade — a “bastion” of the global economy — where investors borrow in low-rate JPY to invest in higher-yielding assets, said Amova Asset Management’s Naomi Fink. If the JPY slides further, Japan may sell its US Treasury reserves to defend the currency — exporting its “Japan problem” to Western markets. Albert Edwards of Société Générale told the Financial Times that Western politicians should “quiver with fear” as Japan turns off the liquidity tap that has suppressed global bond yields for years.

Japan reax

The Bank of Japan’s response has so far been a game of “whack-a-mole.” While the BOJ signaled it may buy bonds to stabilize markets — helping debt rebound — it triggered another sharp selloff in the JPY. Rates were held steady on Friday, though inflation forecasts were raised, suggesting the pressure won’t ease soon. “It’s a new era,” said Masayuki Koguchi of Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management. “This is just the beginning — there’s a chance that bigger shocks will happen.”

Looking ahead

The long-term concern is the “repatriation” of Japanese capital. Higher domestic yields are prompting Japanese institutions to reconsider their USD 5 tn in overseas investments, risking a move back to JGBs that could drain global liquidity. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group has already signaled a shift: “I always loved foreign bond investment, but not anymore. Now it’s JGBs,” said Arihiro Nagata, the group’s global markets head.

Ignoring market signals could worsen dysfunction, investors warn. With overseas investors now accounting for 65% of monthly cashbond trading (up from 12% in 2009), the JGB market is in a “fragile transition phase,” and fast-moving foreign capital is amplifying volatility, James Athey of Marlborough Investment Management and Stefan Rittner of Allianz Global Investors said.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Optimism appears to be the theme for markets this morning, as the anticipation for a wave of Big Tech earnings out later this week offsets the uncertainty triggered by President Trump announcing higher tariffs on South Korean goods and the imminent announcement of Powell’s replacement. Asia-Pacific markets are mostly in the green, with the Kospi leading gains, reversing earlier losses, which came as an immediate reaction to Trump’s announcement.

TASI	11,271	0.0% (YTD: +7.4%)
MSCI Tadawul 30	1,519	+0.1% (YTD: +9.5%)
NomuC	23,741	+0.5% (YTD: +1.9%)
USD : SAR (SAMA)	USD 3.75 Sell	USD 3.75 Buy
Interest rates	4.25% repo	3.75% reverse repo
EGX30	47,507	+1.4% (YTD: +13.6%)
ADX	10,264	-0.2% (YTD: +2.7%)
DFM	6,446	-0.6% (YTD: +6.6%)
S&P 500	6,950	+0.5% (YTD: +1.5%)
FTSE 100	10,149	+0.1% (YTD: +2.2%)
Euro Stoxx 50	5,958	+0.2% (YTD: +2.9%)
Brent crude	USD 65.64	-0.4%
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 6.80	+28.9%
Gold	USD 5,122	+2.1%
BTC	USD 88,198	+1.9% (YTD: +0.6%)
Sukuk/bond market index	922.24	0.0% (YTD: +0.3%)
S&P MENA bond & sukuk	151.61	+0.2% (YTD: -0.2%)
VIX (Fear gauge)	16.15	+0.4% (YTD: +7.6%)

THE CLOSING BELL: TADAWUL-

The TASI remained flat yesterday on turnover of SAR 5.5 bn. The index is up 7.4% YTD.

In the green: Ades (+6.1%), CGS (+5.8%) and Amak (+5.2%).

In the red: Herfy Foods (-3.1%), MIS (-2.8%) and Sieco (-2.7%).

THE CLOSING BELL: NOMU-

The NomuC rose 0.5% yesterday on turnover of SAR 18.8 mn. The index is up 1.9% YTD.

In the green: Knowlegdenet (+9.4%), Time (+9.1%) and Edarat (+8.3%).

In the red: Itmam (-8.3%), Mufeed (-6.1%) and Neft Alsharq (-5.9%).

CALENDAR

JANUARY

26-27 January (Monday-Tuesday): SuperReturn Saudi Arabia, Hotel Fairmont, Riyadh.

26-27 January (Monday-Tuesday): GPRC Summit, Riyadh.

26-28 January (Monday-Wednesday): Saudi Franchise Expo (SFE), Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Riyadh.

26-28 January (Monday-Wednesday): Real Estate Future Forum, Four Seasons Hotel, Riyadh.

26-28 January (Monday-Wednesday): IFAT Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center, Riyadh.

28 January (Wednesday): Data Center Nation Riyadh, Riyadh.

28-30 January (Wednesday-Friday): Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (JTTX), Jeddah.

FEBRUARY

2-4 February (Monday-Wednesday): Saudi Media Forum, Riyadh.

2-4 February (Monday-Wednesday): Women Leaders Summit and Awards KSA, Riyadh.

2-13 February (Monday-Friday): 2026 Asian Road Cycling Championship and Paralympic Cycling, Qassim.

3-4 February (Tuesday-Wednesday): RLC Global Forum Annual Meeting, Riyadh.

4 February (Wednesday): Michelin Guide’s Restaurant Celebration, Four Seasons Hotel, Riyadh.

5 February (Thursday): Deadline to submit bids for EPC contract for Ras Mohaisen-Baha-Makkah Independent Water Transmission System.

5-7 February (Thursday-Saturday): LIV Golf 2026 season opener, Riyadh Golf Club, Riyadh.

8-12 February (Sunday-Thursday): World Defense Show, Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh.

8-9 February (Sunday-Monday): AlUla Conference on Emerging Market Economies (ACEME), Maraya Hall, AlUla.

9-10 February (Monday-Tuesday): Global Games Show Riyadh 2026, Malf Hall, Riyadh.

9-14 February (Monday-Saturday): Asian Racing Conference, Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Centre, Riyadh.

11 February (Wednesday) Digital Transformation Summit Saudi Arabia (DTS), Riyadh.

11-14 February (Wednesday-Saturday): JeddaDerm, Jeddah.

13-14 February (Friday-Saturday): Jeddah E-Prix 2026, Jeddah.

15-17 February (Sunday-Tuesday): The World Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics Saudi Expo, Riyadh Front & Exhibition Center.

16 February (Monday): King Salman Stadium design-and-build contract prequalification submission deadline.

16 February (Monday): First day of Ramadan (TBC).

22 February (Sunday): Founding Day.

26 February (Thursday): Title deed registration deadline for 142.8k properties across 104 neighborhoods in Hail.

MARCH

12 March (Thursday): Deadline for real estate registration for 253.2k properties in 499 neighborhoods across Riyadh, Qassim, Makkah, and Hail.

18-23 March (Tuesday-Monday): Eid Al-Fitr holiday (TBC).

21 March (Saturday): Fanatics Flag Football Classic, Kingdom Arena, Riyadh.

31 March (Tuesday): Zatca’s 23rd E-invoicing integration wave deadline.

APRIL

6 April (Monday): Procurement and Supply Chain Futures Forum, Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh.

6-7 April (Monday-Tuesday): Real Estate Supply Chain Forum, Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh.

12-15 April (Sunday-Wednesday): Saudi Print & Pack, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

12-15 April (Sunday-Wednesday): Riyadh International Industry Week, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

12-15 April (Sunday-Wednesday): Saudi Plastics & Petrochem, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

12-15 April (Sunday-Wednesday): Saudi Smart Logistics, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

13-16 April (Monday-Thursday): Leap Tech Conference, Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center – Malham.

20-22 April (Monday-Wednesday): The Future Hospitality Summit, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh.

20-22 April (Monday-Wednesday): Saudi Paper and Packaging Expo, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

21 April (Tuesday): GC Summit Saudi Arabia 2026, Saudi Arabia.

22-23 April (Wednesday-Thursday): The World Economic Forum’s Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting, Jeddah.

27-29 April (Monday-Wednesday): Aluminum Arabia, The Arena, Riyadh.

MAY

3-5 May (Sunday-Tuesday): Sports Investment Forum (SIF), Riyadh.

3-9 May (Sunday-Sunday): The Global Sustainability Expo, The Arena Riyadh Venue.

5-6 May (Tuesday-Wednesday): SkyMove Air Cargo MENA, Riyadh.

24-28 May (Sunday-Thursday): Eid al-Adha holiday.

JUNE

21-24 June (Sunday-Wednesday): Saudi Food Exhibition and Conference, Riyadh Front Expo.

SEPTEMBER

15-17 September (Tuesday-Thursday) The Global AI Summit, King Abdulaziz International Convention Center, Riyadh.

23 September (Wednesday): Saudi National Day.

OCTOBER

26-29 October (Monday-Thursday): World Energy Congress, Riyadh.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2026:

2H: Sabic’s USD 6.4 bn Fujian project in China to start production in 2026.
November: UN Trade and Development Global Supply Chain Forum to take place in Saudi Arabia.
November: The Esports Nations Cup, Riyadh.
The Intervision international music competition will take place in Saudi Arabia.
6 July-23 August (Monday-Sunday): Esports World Cup, Riyadh.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2027:

The World Water Forum takes place in Riyadh.
The Ocean Race finishes in Amaala on the Red Sea.
Riyadh-Kudmi transmission line to be completed.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2Q 2027:

The Hail Region Water Networks Project is expected to be completed.

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