{"id":106984,"date":"2026-04-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/?post_type=issue&#038;p=106984"},"modified":"2026-04-07T03:54:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T03:54:40","slug":"a-giga-pause-in-tender-awards","status":"publish","type":"issue","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/issues\/a-giga-pause-in-tender-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"A giga-pause in tender awards"},"content":{"rendered":"<section id=\"106986\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"106986\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">1<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">WHAT WE\u2019RE TRACKING TODAY<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/gcc-can-withstand-war-related-shocks-imf-chief\/\">\r\n                            A vote of confidence from the IMF                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/gcc-can-withstand-war-related-shocks-imf-chief\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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In relative terms, the premium has never exceeded USD 10 a barrel over the past 26 years.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>WEATHER- Looks like rain: <\/strong>Najran, Asir, and Jazan are in for a soaking today, while Riyadh, Makkah, Al-Baha, and the Eastern Region get off a little easier with just a sprinkle.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Riyadh: 29\u00b0C high \/ 18\u00b0C low;<\/li>\n<li>Jeddah: 31\u00b0C high \/ 24\u00b0C low;<\/li>\n<li>Makkah: 37\u00b0C high \/ 25\u00b0C low;<\/li>\n<li>Dammam: 27\u00b0C high \/ 18\u00b0C low.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> Watch this space<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"> <a id=\"wwtt1\"><\/a> <strong>MACRO \u2014 The GCC can withstand war-related shocks, IMF chief says:<\/strong> Strong institutions and economic diversification will allow Gulf economies to absorb shocks from the US-Iran war, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/asharqbusiness.com\/economics\/127183\/%D8%B5%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%82%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AC-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B5-%D8%B5%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86\/\" style=\"\">Asharq Business<\/a>. That being said, the global lender will \u201csomewhat\u201d lower its growth forecast for GCC nations, she added. Global growth, too, will see a downward revision. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Watch this space: <\/strong>The regional war and its economic impact is expected to dominate discussions among policymakers during the IMF and World Bank\u2019s annual spring meetings, which will kick off on Monday, 13 April. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>WAR WATCH<\/strong><strong> \u2014 Debris from intercepted missiles lands near energy sites: <\/strong>Saudi Arabia intercepted seven missiles bound for the Eastern Province, with debris falling near energy facilities, according to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/modgovksa\/status\/2041287030705959341\" style=\"\">statements<\/a> by the Defense Ministry. The ministry said damage assessment was underway without specifying who launched the missiles.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>OIL \u2014 South<\/strong><strong> Korean envoy to lock in crude supplies in Saudi visit: <\/strong>South Korean presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik is heading to Saudi Arabia to secure crude oil and naphtha supplies, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/south-korea-envoy-visit-kazakhstan-oman-saudi-arabia-secure-oil-supplies-2026-04-07\/\" style=\"\">Reuters<\/a> reports. He kicks off his trip, which will also see him land in Kazakhstan and Oman, later today. Seoul relies on the Strait of Hormuz for over half of its crude imports.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><a id=\"wwtt2\"><\/a> <strong>PRIVATIZATION \u2014<\/strong> <strong>Development plans for <\/strong><strong>Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz<\/strong> <strong>International Airport are moving forward<\/strong>, as Matarat Holding and the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP) invite interested firms to submit credentials for the project\u2019s prequalification phase, according to a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MATARAT_KSA\/status\/2041170824678236251\" style=\"\">statement<\/a>. The tender has attracted 89 bidders \u2014 55 local players and 34 international firms.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>ICYMI: <\/strong>Matarat and NCP <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/02\/10\/this-morning-pif-carefully-kicks-the-new-strategys-tires-with-investors\/\" style=\"\">called for expressions of interest<\/a> for the project \u2014 which includes the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the facility \u2014 earlier this year. The project will be implemented under a build-transfer-operate contract with a concession period of 30 years.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Data point<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>13% \u2014 that\u2019s how much Saudi Arabia\u2019s total revenues are projected to rise in 2026, <\/strong><strong>totalling SAR 1.3 tn<\/strong>, according to a SNB Capital <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.al-madina.com\/article\/983454\/%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF\/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%84%D9%8A-%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84-13-%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%AC%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A\" style=\"\">report<\/a>. The asset manager sees the Kingdom\u2019s economy growing 4.3% this year \u2014 down from previous estimates of 4.7%.<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-12 subscribe-box-panel\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<div class=\"title\">\n<h4 class=\"fw-lighter mb-10\">   Get <b style=\"font-weight: 700\">Enterprise<\/b> daily   <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-10\">The roundup of news and trends that move your markets and shape corporate agendas delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<p>  <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"ksa\/en\/user\/NewsLetters\" class=\"btn-green px-3 d-flex align-items-center\">Subscribe here<\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>***<\/strong><strong>You\u2019re reading EnterpriseAM Saudi<\/strong>, your essential daily roundup of business, economics, and must-read news about Saudi, delivered straight to your inbox. We\u2019re out Sunday through Thursday by 7am Riyadh time.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>EnterpriseAM Saudi is available without charge <\/strong>thanks to the generous support of our friends at Tas\u2019heel and Hassan Allam Properties.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Want to send us a story idea<\/strong>, request coverage, ask for a correction, or otherwise get in touch? Reach out to us on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"mailto:climate@enterprisemea.com\" style=\"\">saudi@enterpriseAM.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>DID YOU KNOW <\/strong>that we also cover <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/egypt\/en\" style=\"\">Egypt<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/uae\/en\" style=\"\">the UAE<\/a>, the MENA <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/logistics\/en\" style=\"\">logistics<\/a> industry, and the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/mena-india\/en\" style=\"\"><\/a><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/mena-india\/en\" style=\"\">MENA <> India<\/a> corridor?<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Were you forwarded this email? <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/newsletters\/\" style=\"\">Tap or click here<\/a> to get your own copy of EnterpriseAM Saudi delivered every weekday.<br \/><strong>***<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">The big story abroad <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><a id=\"wwtt3\"><\/a> <strong>US-Iran talks haven\u2019t made much headway yet. <\/strong>US President Donald Trump <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/04\/06\/trump-iran-war-ceasefire-hormuz-strait.html\" style=\"\">shut down<\/a> Iran\u2019s 45-day ceasefire proposal, which he criticised for being \u201cnot good enough.\u201d Trump <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-04-06\/trump-says-reopening-hormuz-must-be-part-of-iran-ceasefire-deal?srnd=homepage-middle-east\" style=\"\">warned<\/a> that every bridge in Iran could be destroyed if a resolution \u2014 that reopens the Strait of Hormuz \u2014 was not reached by later today. \u201cThe entire country can be taken out in one night,\u201d Trump <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/livecoverage\/iran-war-latest-news-updates-2026?mod=WSJ_home_mediumtopper_pos_1\" style=\"\">said<\/a> during a news conference yesterday.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Tehran hit back with a ten-point proposal<\/strong>, which reportedly demands assurances that Iran would not be attacked again, an end to Israeli strikes on Lebanon\u2019s Hezbollah, and the removal of all sanctions, two senior Iranian officials told the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/04\/06\/world\/middleeast\/iran-10-point-proposal.html\" style=\"\">New York Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Meanwhile, in the world of finance: <\/strong>Global investment bank Goldman Sachs <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-04-06\/goldman-says-it-s-ready-to-pounce-as-retail-flees-private-credit?srnd=homepage-middle-east\" style=\"\">said<\/a> that the recent exodus of retail investors from private credit has created an opportune moment to invest in the asset class. The firm characterized the trend as a \u201cmeaningful shift\u201d which will result in heavier reliance on institutional investors.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Also in the news orbit is Nasa\u2019s latest mission, Artemis II<\/strong>, which has officially <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/science\/artemis-crew-reaches-moon-approaches-record-breaking-distance-earth-2026-04-06\/\" style=\"\">reached the<\/a><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/science\/artemis-crew-reaches-moon-approaches-record-breaking-distance-earth-2026-04-06\/\" style=\"\">farthest point<\/a> in space ever travelled by humans. Launched earlier this week, the mission took four astronauts around the far side of the moon and they\u2019re now on their way back to Earth. <\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/economy\/\">ECONOMY<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/imf\/\">IMF<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/what-were-tracking-today\/\">WHAT WE\u2019RE TRACKING TODAY<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story 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<\/a>\r\n                    <span>From OUR FAMILY to YOURS<\/span>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/section> \r\n\r\n\n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"106989 advertiser\" class=\"issue-section enterprise-adv\">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                            \"\r\n            id=\"106989\">\r\n            \r\n            <div class=\"story__body\">\r\n\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/106989\/\">\r\n                    <div class=\"photo photo--above\">\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-106989\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-106989 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-advertiser wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/HassanAllamProperties\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/2\/325.jpeg?ssl=1\"><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"106990\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"106990\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">2<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">GIGAPROJECTS<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/war-jitters-hit-saudi-tenders-as-march-awards-slump\/\">\r\n                            Iran war causes a Giga-pause in tender awards                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/war-jitters-hit-saudi-tenders-as-march-awards-slump\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" 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slump&url=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/war-jitters-hit-saudi-tenders-as-march-awards-slump\/\">\n                    X                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/twitter-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/war-jitters-hit-saudi-tenders-as-march-awards-slump\/&title=War jitters hit Saudi tenders as March awards slump\">\n                    LinkedIn                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=War+jitters+hit+Saudi+tenders+as+March+awards+slump+https%3A%2F%2Fenterpriseam.com%2Fksa%2F2026%2F04%2F07%2Fwar-jitters-hit-saudi-tenders-as-march-awards-slump%2F\">\n                    WhatsApp                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/whatsapp-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n            \r\n            <div class=\"story__body\">\r\n\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/war-jitters-hit-saudi-tenders-as-march-awards-slump\/\">\r\n                    <div class=\"photo photo--above\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/4\/302.jpg?fit=1568%2C9999&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"106991\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/war-jitters-hit-saudi-tenders-as-march-awards-slump\/302-jpg-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/4\/302.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"302.jpg\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/4\/302.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/4\/302.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" \/>                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-106990\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-106990 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-gigaprojects tag-construction tag-enterpriseam-ksa tag-gigaprojects tag-logistics wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"> <strong>The Iran war is filtering into the Kingdom\u2019s gigaprojects market<\/strong>, following a month of significantly reduced tendering activity. Only 25 major contracts worth USD 11.8 bn were awarded in March, down from 80 contracts (USD 26 bn) in February and 84 (USD 20.5 bn) in January, Meed\u2019s head of content and research Ed James said in a webinar attended by EnterpriseAM. While these preliminary figures could be revised, the steep drop points to a sudden pause in awarding activity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Hesitation at the finish line: <\/strong>Many contracts that were close to signing have been \u201ckicked back a few weeks\u201d as developers and contractors make last-minute reassessments to risk exposure, revisiting key terms around force majeure and pricing, HKA partner Haroon Niazi said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The slowdown reflects caution rather than a structural pullback.<\/strong> Most projects are still expected to move forward once terms are recalibrated, Niazi said. However, rising ins. costs, tightening coverage, and growing logistics risks mean that prolonged conflict could turn temporary delays into longer-term disruptions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Beyond the dotted line<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Logistics headaches take the cake: <\/strong>Logistics delays are the biggest challenge linked to the conflict, cited by 37% of survey respondents. Niazi points out that the region is entering \u201cuncharted territory\u201d in terms of moving goods. Freight is being diverted mid-journey, long-lead materials face delays, and transport routes are becoming more complex \u2014 all driving up costs and slowing execution.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Ins. is becoming a key pressure point.<\/strong> War-related risks are pushing ins. premiums higher, and some coverage is now unavailable. \u201cA number of ins. policies, particularly around logistics, don\u2019t cover situations when there is a conflict,\u201d Niazi said. Insurers are also increasingly reluctant to underwrite long-distance transport \u2014 complicating rerouting efforts and further delaying long-lead items.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>PLUS- On-site jitters:<\/strong> On-site contractors are also dealing with intermittent stoppages and stricter safety protocols, including temporary demobilisation during security alerts.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Mitigation 101<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Records, records, records:<\/strong> To mitigate cost impacts, Niazi advised companies to establish a clear contractual and regulatory strategy early and keep precise, categorized records of delays, disruptions, and increased costs. These records should clearly link cause and effect, rather than lumping costs together. These records should be shared with employers and engineers to document actions and mitigation measures, creating a clear, verifiable basis for claims.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Data centers taking shelter: <\/strong>There\u2019s a growing trend to protect data centers from future conflicts, with plans to build more underground and strengthen power supply contingencies.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">How fares the pipeline?<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Several major contracts are still up for grabs<\/strong>, mainly in infrastructure, data centers, and the Kingdom\u2019s high-priority developments. Over the next few months, Meed expects awards for Riyadh Metro Line 7, the first phase of the Oxagon data center campus, and the civil and telecom contracts for Q-Express Line 1. It also expects several contracts for various stadiums, King Salman International Airport, Diriyah, and Expo 2030.<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/construction\/\">Construction<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/gigaprojects\/\">Gigaprojects<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/logistics\/\">logistics<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"106992 advertiser\" class=\"issue-section enterprise-adv\">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                            \"\r\n            id=\"106992\">\r\n            \r\n            <div class=\"story__body\">\r\n\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/106992\/\">\r\n                    <div class=\"photo photo--above\">\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-106992\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-106992 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-advertiser wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tasheelfinance.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2024\/12\/1942.jpg?ssl=1\"><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"106993\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"106993\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">3<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">ENERGY<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-slaps-record-usd-20-premium-on-asian-crude-as-hormuz-chokehold-tightens\/\">\r\n                            Asia faces record premiums from Aramco                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-slaps-record-usd-20-premium-on-asian-crude-as-hormuz-chokehold-tightens\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); navigator.clipboard.writeText('https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-slaps-record-usd-20-premium-on-asian-crude-as-hormuz-chokehold-tightens\/')\">\n                    Copy Link                <\/a>\n\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-slaps-record-usd-20-premium-on-asian-crude-as-hormuz-chokehold-tightens\/\">\n                    Facebook                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/facebook-icon2.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/post?text=Aramco slaps record USD 20 premium on Asian crude as Hormuz chokehold tightens&url=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-slaps-record-usd-20-premium-on-asian-crude-as-hormuz-chokehold-tightens\/\">\n                    X                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/twitter-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-slaps-record-usd-20-premium-on-asian-crude-as-hormuz-chokehold-tightens\/&title=Aramco slaps record USD 20 premium on Asian crude as Hormuz chokehold tightens\">\n                    LinkedIn                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=Aramco+slaps+record+USD+20+premium+on+Asian+crude+as+Hormuz+chokehold+tightens+https%3A%2F%2Fenterpriseam.com%2Fksa%2F2026%2F04%2F07%2Faramco-slaps-record-usd-20-premium-on-asian-crude-as-hormuz-chokehold-tightens%2F\">\n                    WhatsApp                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/whatsapp-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n            \r\n            <div class=\"story__body\">\r\n\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-slaps-record-usd-20-premium-on-asian-crude-as-hormuz-chokehold-tightens\/\">\r\n                    <div class=\"photo photo--above\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2024\/8\/1862.jpg?fit=1568%2C9999&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"106994\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-slaps-record-usd-20-premium-on-asian-crude-as-hormuz-chokehold-tightens\/1862-jpg-9\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2024\/8\/1862.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"1862.jpg\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2024\/8\/1862.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2024\/8\/1862.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" \/>                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-106993\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-106993 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-energy tag-aramco tag-energy tag-enterpriseam-ksa wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"> <strong>The cost of keeping the world's lights on just went up<\/strong>. Saudi Aramco is hiking the price of its flagship Arab Light crude for its Asian customers by USD 17 a barrel for May deliveries. That brings the total premium to an unprecedented USD 19.50 over the Oman-Dubai benchmark.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>To put that into perspective<\/strong>: The premium never cracked the USD 10 mark over the past 26 years.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Aramco is aggressively raising prices across the board to record levels<\/strong>, regardless of destination. European buyers will have to shell out a USD 24-30 premium over Brent for Saudi oil next month.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>What changed?<\/strong> The widening Middle East war and Iran's near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz snapped the region's traditional oil supply chains. A fifth of the world's oil typically flows through this narrow waterway. The disruption already sent Brent crude up more than 50%, trading at around USD 108 \/ bbl. A handful of Chinese, Indian, and Omani vessels navigated the strait recently, but the flow of global commerce is still way below its prewar levels.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>REMEMBER- Riyadh has redirected the bulk of its shipments to Yanbu<\/strong>, its port on the Red Sea. Saudi and the UAE are practically the only Gulf producers with pipeline infrastructure capable of completely bypassing the strait. The rest of the region's output is mostly stuck.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>BUT- <\/strong>Alternative routers are not nearly enough to plug the gap. Aramco is currently maxing out the East-West pipeline, pumping close to 5 mn barrels a day to the west coast. Despite handling record shipments at Yanbu, Saudi only managed to export about 50% of its normal overall oil volumes in March. Opec+ pledged on Sunday to boost production in May, but with the cartel's spare capacity bottlenecked behind the strait, those extra barrels are useless to the broader market.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>The squeeze is set to hit Asian refineries the hardest<\/strong>, as they are structurally reliant on the specific sour crude grades the Middle East typically provides.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>What comes next:<\/strong> A logistical headache for buyers. Aramco is reportedly now requiring customers to submit separate requests specifying how much oil they want from either port, explicitly noting that it will only supply the Arab Light grade out of Yanbu.<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/aramco\/\">Aramco<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/energy\/\">ENERGY<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"106995\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"106995\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">4<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">ECONOMY<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/saudization-mandate-targets-back-office-roles-with-no-exemptions-for-smes\/\">\r\n                            Saudization mandate targets back-office roles \u2014 with no exemptions for SMEs                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/saudization-mandate-targets-back-office-roles-with-no-exemptions-for-smes\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); navigator.clipboard.writeText('https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/saudization-mandate-targets-back-office-roles-with-no-exemptions-for-smes\/')\">\n                    Copy Link                <\/a>\n\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/saudization-mandate-targets-back-office-roles-with-no-exemptions-for-smes\/\">\n                    Facebook                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/facebook-icon2.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/post?text=Saudization mandate targets back-office roles \u2014 with no exemptions for SMEs&url=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/saudization-mandate-targets-back-office-roles-with-no-exemptions-for-smes\/\">\n                    X                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/twitter-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/saudization-mandate-targets-back-office-roles-with-no-exemptions-for-smes\/&title=Saudization mandate targets back-office roles \u2014 with no exemptions for SMEs\">\n                    LinkedIn                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=Saudization+mandate+targets+back-office+roles+%E2%80%94+with+no+exemptions+for+SMEs+https%3A%2F%2Fenterpriseam.com%2Fksa%2F2026%2F04%2F07%2Fsaudization-mandate-targets-back-office-roles-with-no-exemptions-for-smes%2F\">\n                    WhatsApp                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/whatsapp-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n            \r\n            <div class=\"story__body\">\r\n\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/saudization-mandate-targets-back-office-roles-with-no-exemptions-for-smes\/\">\r\n                    <div class=\"photo photo--above\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2024\/8\/22.jpg?fit=1568%2C9999&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"106996\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/saudization-mandate-targets-back-office-roles-with-no-exemptions-for-smes\/22-jpg-11\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2024\/8\/22.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"22.jpg\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2024\/8\/22.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2024\/8\/22.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" \/>                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-106995\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-106995 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-economy tag-economy tag-enterpriseam-ksa tag-labor tag-saudization wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"> <strong>The Ministry of Human Resources expanded its 100% Saudization mandate to cover 69 <\/strong><strong>administrative support professions<\/strong>. The decree, which went into effect on Sunday, applies to every private sector entity operating in the Kingdom that employs one or more workers in these targeted roles.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>The timeline: <\/strong>The ministry\u2019s procedural manual splits compliance into two phases, forcing operators to immediately audit their front-line staff while giving them a six-month window to restructure mid-management back-office roles.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The immediate deadline<\/strong> hits the operational front line instantly, targeting positions including cashiers, regular and executive secretaries, data entry clerks, storekeepers, security guards, and interpreters.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The October deadline<\/strong>: Companies have a six-month grace period until 4 October to localize the more specialized professions. This list encompasses heavy-hitting corporate roles, requiring the localization of HR managers, institutional development managers, public relations directors, recruitment specialists, and general administrative assistants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong> The expansion eliminates the small office blind spot that foreign rep offices, startups, and lean operators often rely on. If a company has a single administrative assistant or receptionist on the payroll, they must be Saudi. This will require an audit of back-office contracts, as operators can no longer rely on expatriate labor for basic organizational infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">What\u2019s next?<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">Enforcement will be heavily automated, with ministry systems cross-referencing social insurance data and professional accreditations to detect non-compliance or attempts to disguise administrative roles under different job titles.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>The cost mitigation strategy:<\/strong> Replacing expatriate back-office staff with Saudi nationals will likely trigger an immediate wage premium, making the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf) the critical pressure valve for operators. Hadaf \u2014 which poured SAR 8.3 bn into private-sector wage subsidies and training <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.argaam.com\/en\/article\/articledetail\/id\/1877812\" style=\"\">in 2025<\/a> \u2014 will subsidize a portion of new Saudi hires' salaries for up to two years. The April mandate will likely trigger a massive influx of new applications, with SMEs already making up 94% of the fund\u2019s beneficiaries last year.<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/economy\/\">ECONOMY<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/labor\/\">labor<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/saudization\/\">Saudization<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"106997\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"106997\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">5<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">ALSO ON OUR RADAR<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-ventures-backs-energy-efficiency-startup-in-usd-36-mn-round\/\">\r\n                            Aramco Ventures backs Via Separations                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-ventures-backs-energy-efficiency-startup-in-usd-36-mn-round\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); navigator.clipboard.writeText('https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-ventures-backs-energy-efficiency-startup-in-usd-36-mn-round\/')\">\n                    Copy Link                <\/a>\n\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-ventures-backs-energy-efficiency-startup-in-usd-36-mn-round\/\">\n                    Facebook                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/facebook-icon2.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/post?text=Aramco Ventures backs energy efficiency startup in USD 36 mn round&url=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-ventures-backs-energy-efficiency-startup-in-usd-36-mn-round\/\">\n                    X                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/twitter-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-ventures-backs-energy-efficiency-startup-in-usd-36-mn-round\/&title=Aramco Ventures backs energy efficiency startup in USD 36 mn round\">\n                    LinkedIn                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=Aramco+Ventures+backs+energy+efficiency+startup+in+USD+36+mn+round+https%3A%2F%2Fenterpriseam.com%2Fksa%2F2026%2F04%2F07%2Faramco-ventures-backs-energy-efficiency-startup-in-usd-36-mn-round%2F\">\n                    WhatsApp                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/whatsapp-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n            \r\n            <div class=\"story__body\">\r\n\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-ventures-backs-energy-efficiency-startup-in-usd-36-mn-round\/\">\r\n                    <div class=\"photo photo--above\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/4\/313.jpg?fit=1568%2C9999&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"106998\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/aramco-ventures-backs-energy-efficiency-startup-in-usd-36-mn-round\/313-jpg\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/4\/313.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"313.jpg\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/4\/313.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/4\/313.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" \/>                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-106997\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-106997 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-also-on-our-radar tag-also-on-our-radar tag-energy tag-enterpriseam-ksa wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p style=\"padding: 0;margin: 0;line-height: 1.15;text-align: left\"><strong>Aramco Ventures participated in a USD 36 mn round for US-based industrial <\/strong><strong>separations player Via Separations<\/strong>, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wamda.com\/2026\/04\/aramco-ventures-backs-separations-36-million-round\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">press release<\/a>. The funding will go toward scaling the startup\u2019s modular filtration platform \u2014 as applied to pulp and paper \u2014 into the refining and chemicals sectors, improving efficiency and cutting emissions. Other backers include Embark Ventures, The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and Safar Partners.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding: 0;margin: 0;line-height: 1.15;text-align: left\"><strong>What they said: \u201c<\/strong>Via Separations\u2019 modular platform addresses a critical step in industrial processing and has strong potential to enhance efficiency and unlock additional capacity within existing refining and chemical assets,\u201d Aramco Ventures Senior Investment Director Tibor Toth said.<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/also-on-our-radar\/\">ALSO ON OUR RADAR<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/energy\/\">ENERGY<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"106999\" class=\"issue-section markets\">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"106999\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">6<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">PLANET FINANCE<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/global-private-equity-activity-slows-down-due-to-ai-related-risks-geopolitical-tensions\/\">\r\n                            Global private equity activity slows down due to AI-related risks, geopolitical tensions                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/global-private-equity-activity-slows-down-due-to-ai-related-risks-geopolitical-tensions\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); navigator.clipboard.writeText('https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/global-private-equity-activity-slows-down-due-to-ai-related-risks-geopolitical-tensions\/')\">\n                    Copy Link                <\/a>\n\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/global-private-equity-activity-slows-down-due-to-ai-related-risks-geopolitical-tensions\/\">\n                    Facebook                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/facebook-icon2.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/post?text=Global private equity activity slows down due to AI-related risks, geopolitical tensions&url=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/global-private-equity-activity-slows-down-due-to-ai-related-risks-geopolitical-tensions\/\">\n                    X                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/twitter-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/global-private-equity-activity-slows-down-due-to-ai-related-risks-geopolitical-tensions\/&title=Global private equity activity slows down due to AI-related risks, geopolitical tensions\">\n                    LinkedIn                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=Global+private+equity+activity+slows+down+due+to+AI-related+risks%2C+geopolitical+tensions+https%3A%2F%2Fenterpriseam.com%2Fksa%2F2026%2F04%2F07%2Fglobal-private-equity-activity-slows-down-due-to-ai-related-risks-geopolitical-tensions%2F\">\n                    WhatsApp                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/whatsapp-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\r\n                    \r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n            \r\n            <div class=\"story__body\">\r\n\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/global-private-equity-activity-slows-down-due-to-ai-related-risks-geopolitical-tensions\/\">\r\n                    <div class=\"photo photo--above\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/2\/916.jpg?fit=1568%2C9999&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"107000\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/global-private-equity-activity-slows-down-due-to-ai-related-risks-geopolitical-tensions\/916-jpg-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/2\/916.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"916.jpg\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/2\/916.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2026\/2\/916.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" \/>                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-106999\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-106999 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-planet-finance tag-ai tag-enterpriseam-ksa tag-financial-markets tag-planet-finance tag-private-equity wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"> <strong>Global private equity\u2019s nascent recovery has been stalled by a <\/strong><strong>double-whammy of geopolitical conflict and technological anxiety. <\/strong>After 2025 closed out the year on notes of recovery and optimism, the first quarter of 2026 showed a sharp reversal in momentum.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>By the numbers<\/strong>: Globally, 1Q 2026 buyout activity fell to USD 172 bn (down 36% q-o-q; 8% y-o-y), while exits dropped 33% q-o-q to USD 162 bn, the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/52ba3545-72ae-4bb6-86dd-1f892adccecf?syn-25a6b1a6=1\" style=\"\">Financial Times<\/a> reports, citing data from Dealogic. The industry is choking on a backlog of pre-2022 investments that have been difficult to exit or refinance amid high rates and geopolitical shocks. Consequently, fundraising remains dry. The USD 86 bn raised in 1Q 2026 falls just under the lackluster pace of the same period in 2025 \u2014 the sector's weakest year since 2018.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> Behind the slowdown<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The war in the Gulf isn\u2019t helping: <\/strong>Several buyout firms paused signings altogether due to the heightened volatility from the war, with executives warning that the full economic fallout from the conflict has yet to materialise.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The biggest blow has been to the software sector: <\/strong>Traditionally, the safest and most lucrative wager for private equity, AI is now being approached with more caution. Investors fear that agentic AI \u2014 AI that can perform complex tasks autonomously \u2014 will cannibalize existing software business models. As such, many firms have adopted a \u201cwait and see\u201d approach, holding off on deploying capital into software until they can identify which companies are resilient to AI disruption.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> Looking ahead<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>This AI reluctance could skew gains toward the few:<\/strong> BlackRock CEO Larry Fink\u2019s latest annual letter <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/03\/29\/ai-will-likely-widen-existing-wealth-gaps-larry-fink-warns-in-annual-letter\/\" style=\"\">argued<\/a> that the companies best positioned to use AI \u2014 those with the right data, infrastructure, and capital \u2014 will reap most of the benefits, leaving others behind and deepening the wealth gap between those that can invest in the technology and those that want to but lack the resources.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Our take:<\/strong> The steady revenue models that drove SaaS buyout over the past few years are now being called into question as AI starts to challenge traditional software pricing. That uncertainty is creating gaps in the market \u2014 gaps that well-capitalized GCC investors are well placed to step into, particularly as they look to rebound from the impact of the regional conflict.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> MARKETS THIS MORNING- <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">Asian markets are mostly up in early trading this morning, with Japan\u2019s Nikkei the only exception, having erased earlier gains and trading 0.3% lower. US stock futures are down as well after US President Donald Trump set an 8pm EST deadline for the US and Iran to reach a deal. <\/p>\n<div class='stock-ticker-panel'>\n<table class='table stock-ticker-table markets-table'>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>TASI<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">11,263<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.1% (YTD: +7.4%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-none'>\n<td class='td-list-none'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>MSCI Tadawul 30<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">1,516<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">0.0% (YTD: +9.3%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>NomuC<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">22,539<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.1% (YTD: -3.3%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-none'>\n<td class='td-list-none'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>USD : SAR (SAMA)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 3.75 Sell<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 3.75 Buy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-none'>\n<td class='td-list-none'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Interest rates<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">4.25% repo <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">3.75% reverse repo<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>EGX30 <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">47,652<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.8% (YTD: +13.9%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>ADX <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">9,625<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.3% (YTD: -3.7%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>DFM <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">5,448<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.7% (YTD: -9.9%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>S&P 500 <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">6,612<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.4% (YTD: -3.4%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>FTSE 100 <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">10,436<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.7% (YTD: +5.1%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Euro Stoxx 50 <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">5,693<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.7% (YTD: -1.7%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Brent crude <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 109.77<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.7%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Natural gas (Nymex) <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 2.81<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.1%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-none'>\n<td class='td-list-none'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Gold<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 4,685<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">0.0%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>BTC<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 68,655<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.5% (YTD: -21.7%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Sukuk\/bond market index<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">913.52<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.1% (YTD: -0.6%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">149.14<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.3% (YTD: -1.8%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>VIX (Volatility Index)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">24.17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+1.3% (YTD: +61.6%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> THE CLOSING BELL: TADAWUL-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The TASI <\/strong>fell 0.1% yesterday on turnover of SAR 4.5 bn. The index is up 7.4% YTD.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>In the green:<\/strong> SPPC (+5.8%), Teco (+5.6%), and Banan (+5.2%).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>In the red: <\/strong>Chubb (-4.2%), First Mills (-4.0%), and Emaar EC (-3.8%).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">THE CLOSING BELL: NOMU-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The NomuC<\/strong> remained unchanged yesterday on turnover of SAR 22.8 mn. The index is down 3.3% YTD.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>In the green:<\/strong> Altwijri (+16.6%), Service Equipment (+10.0%), and Smile Care (+9.2%).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>In the red:<\/strong> Itmam (-8.3%), Accelerated Solutions (-6.2%), and Amwaj International (-6.0%).<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/ai\/\">AI<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/financial-markets\/\">Financial markets<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/planet-finance\/\">PLANET FINANCE<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/tag\/private-equity\/\">private equity<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"107001\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"calendar\">\r\n            \r\n            <div class=\"story__body\">\r\n\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2026\/04\/07\/107001\/\">\r\n                    <div class=\"photo photo--above\">\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-107001\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-107001 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-calendar wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\t\t<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide\">\n\n\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mt-0 has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-normal-font-size\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\">\n\t\t\t<strong> CALENDAR<\/strong>\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700\">APRIL<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>20-22 April (Monday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sif.saudisf.com\/c\/sports-investment-forum\" style=\"\">Sports Investment Forum<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"> (SIF), Riyadh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>20-22 April (Monday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futureaviationforum.com\/\" style=\"\">Future Aviation Forum<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">MAY<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>3-9 May (Sunday-Sunday): The <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/globalsustainabilityexpo.com\/\" style=\"\">Global Sustainability Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, The Arena Riyadh Venue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>19-21 May (Tuesday-Thursday): The <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.saudientertainmentexpo.com\/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=seo\" style=\"\">Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">24-28 May (Sunday-Thursday): Eid Al Adha holiday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">JUNE<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>15-17 June (Monday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aluminium-exhibition.com\/arabia\/en-gb.html\" style=\"\">Aluminum Arabia<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, The Arena, Riyadh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>21-24 June (Sunday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.saudifoodexpo.com\/\" style=\"\">Saudi Food Exhibition and Conference<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh Front Expo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>21-24 June (Sunday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/saudi-pp.com\/\" style=\"\">Saudi Print & Pack<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>21-24 June (Sunday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/riyadhiiw.com\/\" style=\"\">Riyadh International Industry Week<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.<br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>21-24 June (Sunday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/saudipp.com\/\" style=\"\">Saudi Plastics & Petrochem<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>21-24 June (Sunday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/saudi-smartlogistics.com\/\" style=\"\">Saudi Smart Logistics<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>22-24 June (Monday-Wednesday): The <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurehospitality.com\/sa\" style=\"\">Future Hospitality Summit<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">JULY<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>6 July-23 August (Monday-Sunday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/mike-mccabe-600532_esportsworldcup-ewc2026-esports-activity-7383046360637456384-FXWl?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADcc9s0BqbX_KIfcdiR9Co3ThUUfykvz4-o\" style=\"\">Esports World Cup<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">AUGUST<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>31 August-3 Sep (Monday-Thursday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/onegiantleap.com\/\" style=\"\">Leap Tech Conference<\/a><\/span><span>, Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center - Malham.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">SEPTEMBER<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>9-10 September (Wednesday-Thursday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cipsmenaconferenceandawards.com\/\" style=\"\">Procurement and Supply Chain Futures Forum<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>9-10 September (Wednesday-Thursday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rscforum.com\/\" style=\"\">Real Estate Supply Chain Forum<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>15-17 September (Tuesday-Thursday) The <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/globalaisummit.org\/en\/Pages\/About.aspx\" style=\"\">Global AI Summit<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, King Abdulaziz International Convention Center, Riyadh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">23 September (Wednesday): Saudi National Day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700\">OCTOBER<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>12-15 October (Monday-Thursday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldenergy.org\/experiences-events\/world-energy-congress\" style=\"\">World Energy Congress<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>26-28 October (Monday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/achema-middle-east.ksa.messefrankfurt.com\/ksa\/ppc.html?utm_source=ppc-landingpage&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=kreativeclan_brand_exact_MENA_GCC&utm_content=homepage&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23591771694&gbraid=0AAAABBPuheGu3HUwCgxv7inX_RLac-B3S&gclid=CjwKCAiA2PrMBhA4EiwAwpHyC5npsmz5GRyYSeppI3k19DPZWLNG42F9H46N02ivlImv5gKzFI9D5RoCQGUQAvD_BwE\" style=\"\">ACHEMA Middle East<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700\">NOVEMBER<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>24-28 November (Tuesday-Saturday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sandnfun.com\/en\/\" style=\"\">Aero Middle East and Sand & Fun<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Thumamah Airport, Riyadh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700\">Signposted to happen sometime in 2026:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">2H: Sabic\u2019s USD 6.4 bn Fujian project in China to start production;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>September: <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.saudisignageexpo.com\/saudi-paper-packaging-expo-2026\/\" style=\"\">Saudi Paper and Packaging Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">November: The UN Trade and Development Global Supply Chain Forum to take place in Saudi Arabia;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">November: The Esports Nations Cup, Riyadh; <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>The World Economic Forum\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/press\/2026\/01\/annual-meeting-2026-a-spirit-of-dialogue-ceb3ae9c08\/#:~:text=The%20Global%20Collaboration%20and%20Growth%20Meeting%20will%20be%20held%20in%20Jeddah%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%20on%2022%2D23%20April%202026.\" style=\"\">Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Jeddah;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skymovemena.com\/\" style=\"\">SkyMove Air Cargo MENA<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Riyadh; <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>The <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/intervision.world\/en\/\" style=\"\">Intervision<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"> international music competition will take place in Saudi Arabia.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700\">Signposted to happen sometime in 2027:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight:700\">The World Water Forum <\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">takes place in Riyadh;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight:700\">The Ocean Race<\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"> finishes in Amaala on the Red Sea;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight:700\">Riyadh-Kudmi transmission line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"> to be completed;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight:700\">Capital Markets Forum<\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"> takes place in March in Riyadh.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">Signposted to happen sometime in 2Q 2027:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight:700\">The Hail Region Water Networks Project<\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"> is expected to be completed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Plus: Saudization mandate expanded<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":106985,"menu_order":0,"template":"","categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-106984","issue","type-issue","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","wpautop","entry"],"acf":{"mongo_id":"c681d90c-1fa3-4cf8-96b8-a5a608ab4228","teaser":"Plus: Saudization mandate expanded","photo_url":"https:\/\/ent.news\/2026\/4\/182.jpg"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A giga-pause in tender awards - KSA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/issues\/a-giga-pause-in-tender-awards\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A giga-pause in tender 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